Model year guide

2004 Pontiac Sunfire

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 14 on record.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Pontiac Sunfire at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints32
Combined25–27 mpg
Typical price$1,241

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

2004 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.

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #04V300000 · 23/06/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.

Fix: DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND 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.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire common problems

Owners have filed 32 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.
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.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire MPG & running costs

Combined25–27 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

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 2004 Pontiac Sunfire worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$1,241
High
$1,800

From 11 comparable 2004 Pontiac Sunfire listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$350
Total$13,350
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 ($1,241) with the same model 5 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.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp

2004 Pontiac Sunfire vehicles on record

2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F747286291 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F747356615 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F247294301 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F947219708 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F247184123 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F247203852 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F747342147 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F647162030 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F447324625 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F947279813 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F147219198 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Base1G2JB12F447289925 2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2004 Pontiac Sunfire3G2JB12F94S167398 2004 Pontiac Sunfire1G2JB12F347366171

Other Pontiac Sunfire model years

2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2004 Pontiac Sunfire — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 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 2004 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, structure.

What is the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 1★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire get?

The 2004 Pontiac Sunfire has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire worth?

Comparable 2004 Pontiac Sunfire listings run roughly $700–$1,800, typically around $1,241 (from 11 vehicles).

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