Model year guide

2003 Pontiac Sunfire

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Pontiac Sunfire at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints85
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$1,122

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

2003 Pontiac Sunfire recalls 2

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.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #04V524000 · 01/11/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL W…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire common problems

Owners have filed 85 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.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,122
High
$1,600

From 9 comparable 2003 Pontiac Sunfire listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$250
Total$13,750
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,122) with the same model 4 model-years older ($911), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp

2003 Pontiac Sunfire vehicles on record

2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F937226771 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F037256631 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F037264504 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F237346279 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB14F237227189 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F737386678 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F937241271 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F637198718 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F037280668 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F537239324 2003 Pontiac Sunfire 2003 Pontiac Sunfire1G2JB12F937376654

Other Pontiac Sunfire model years

2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2003 Pontiac Sunfire — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 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 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, exterior lighting, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire get?

The 2003 Pontiac Sunfire has a U.S. EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined (22 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire worth?

Comparable 2003 Pontiac Sunfire listings run roughly $500–$1,600, typically around $1,122 (from 9 vehicles).

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