Model year guide

2001 Pontiac Sunfire

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Pontiac Sunfire at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints78
Combined21–24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire recalls 3

Steering NHTSA Campaign #08E063000 · 17/10/2008

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WEL…

Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #04V036000 · 27/01/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire common problems

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Traction Control System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,940

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,700
Fuel only$14,700
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire trims & engines on record

Trims
SE
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl

2001 Pontiac Sunfire vehicles on record

2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB124017315544 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB124617253437 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB524017259435 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB124X17151090 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB124217324505 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB524517335053 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE1G2JB124X17159996 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE3G2JB52411S234626

Other Pontiac Sunfire model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2001 Pontiac Sunfire — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire get?

The 2001 Pontiac Sunfire has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.