Complaints
128
Crashes
9
Fires
5
Injuries
15
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Pontiac Sunfire Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:87,965 mi
Fires:1
#28 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:53,433 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#36 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:19,633 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 18 | — | 1 | 87,965 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 1 | 1 | 53,433 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | 19,633 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 2 | — | 32,309 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 11,417 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
87,965
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
53,433
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,633
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,309
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,417
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Sunfire Years
2002 Pontiac Sunfire — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Pontiac Sunfire has 128 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (18 complaints, avg 87,965 mi); Steering Defects (8 complaints, avg 53,433 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints, avg 19,633 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 55,887 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire include 9 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 15 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Sunfire reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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