2005 Pontiac SUNFIRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 61 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 68 complaints (69.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 15 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System: 47; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 15; Steering: 4; Engine: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 9; 2010: 12; 2011: 14; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 11; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10098030 · 2004-10-30 (October 30, 2004)
FATAL FLAW. THE VEHICLE I AM SPEAKING OF IS A PONTIAC SUNFIRE POSSIBLY 2005 MODEL YEAR. I HAD RENTED IT FROM A RENTAL COMPANY AND USED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. DURING THE USE THERE WERE A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE I WOULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THINKING THE CAR WAS OFF BUT COME BACK AN HOUR LATER TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I DIDN'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS BUT I WAS WATCHING ON NEWS AND FOUND OUT THAT AN ENTIRE FAMILY OF 6 HAD DIED BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. SO THIS SIMPLE POSSIBLE DEFECT OF THE PONTIAC COULD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120704 · 2005-05-11 (May 11, 2005)
THE REAR TURN LIGHTS ON OUR 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE CONTINUE TO FAIL LEAVING US WITHOUT TURN SIGNALS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, INCLUDING UNDER A SAFETY RECALL, BUT THE FIX (PUT "GREASE" ON THE BULB) HAS NOT ENDED THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142378 · 2005-11-10 (November 10, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON IN A REMOTE AREA OF UTAH (BETWEEN MILFORD AND MINERSVILLE) I RAN OVER A CATTLE GUARD RUNNING ACROSS THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY, MY GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO GAIN MAXIMUM SPEED. SEVERAL STEPS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FINALLY DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN A HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC AREA, OR IN THE NEARBY S-TURNS GOING THROUGH THE CANYON, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE. FORTUNATELY THE EVENT ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS AND MANAGED TO SCARE THE CRAP OUT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165266 · 2006-08-11 (August 11, 2006)
CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT AND REAR OF CAR WHEN BRAKING DURING TURNING AND ON UNEVEN OR ROUGH ROADS. HAD TO SHOP 4 DAYS AND NO RESULTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182843 · 2007-02-17 (February 17, 2007)
2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE CONTINUOUSLY STALLING. HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER FOUR TIMES, GOING BACK FOR FIFTH. THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND NEARLY RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS WHEN IT STALLED AS I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR INTERSECTIONS. PONTIAC HQ IN CANADA OF NO ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER, DEALER UNABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. A TOTAL LACK OF CARING ABOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE, OR THE FACT THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE VEHICLE FROM ALL LEVELS OF THIS COMPANY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189474 · 2007-05-02 (May 2, 2007)
DATE: 5/2/07 SUNFIRE 2005 WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 9/05 INVESTMENT PURPOSE IN A NEW CAR FOR SAFETY, RELIABILITY, GAS MILEAGE, NON-REPAIR AND PRICE OF VEHICLE. AT 26,000 MILES, $900 OF REPAIRS WERE PLACED ON THE CAR IN UPGRADES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING, TO-DATE, COUNTING 10 FAILURES, FIRST DATE OF FAILURE REQUIRING CAR REPAIR 12/27/06. (NOT INCLUDING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE) REPAIRS DEMAND AT A MINIMUM 3HRS OF TIME AT EACH REPAIR VISIT. REPAIRS ON VEHICLE DEMAND JUST A FEW MORE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN CASH PAYMENTS AND COST OF A CAR RENTAL W…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,147 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10209132 · 2007-11-16 (November 16, 2007)
2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WITH 27,000 MILES. REAR BRAKE RETAINING SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. BROKEN PARTS FELL INTO THE DRUM CAUSING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE HEATING OF THE DRUM. HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART AND FIX IT AFTER WAITING THREE DAYS TO GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214150 · 2008-01-08 (January 8, 2008)
I HAVE 2005 SUNFIRE AND ABOUT 37,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT THE FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING IF YOUR STOPPED AFTER AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE SPEEDOMETER SAY YOUR DOING 110MPH AND IT STAY THERE? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214150 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.