Overview & Reviews

The Sunfire gets a refresh this year that adds new front and rear fascias, a revised sport suspension and four new wheel styles. The 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder is now the only engine offered, as the GT model has been dropped from the lineup. Base model Sunfires no longer come with standard ABS brakes, but it remains an available option. On the inside, there's a 60/40-split folding rear seat, an upgraded interior seat fabric and new options like side-impact airbags, XM Satellite Radio and the OnStar system.

• Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.

• Ancient design inside and out, cheap interior materials, poor build quality, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 67.00

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  Pontiac Headlight Problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By smithjonathond - November 11 - 10:00 am

  The car is a lemon...I have continuous headlight problems.

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  Own one more than a year - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Monica - November 20 - 10:33 am

  I have not been pleased with this vehicle at all! The car had electrical problems from day one! No headlights, taillights, brake lights, you name it it broke. Trunk would not latch after a few months after purchase. The plastic interior cracks and falls off. Now the car has internal engine problems. Been broke down for a few weeks and it will cost over a grand to fix one of the problems. I have called GM several times but they say there is nothing they can do. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. I never owned a new car until this one. I will never buy another Pontiac after this experience.

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  Cheap Car. Reliable for first 80K mi. - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Annie - May 8 - 12:06 pm

  This was the first car that I ever bought. Bought it with 32K miles on it. CD player broke after having it a week. Was fixed for free under warranty. Replaced brakes twice, but they are like $15 each. Seats are uncomfortable and front seat belt strap hits you across the neck. Car handles rough and shocks/struts start to go bad. Doesnt have much power. Car handles HORRIBLE in the rain and windy weather. Slow oil leak started around 60K but not a major issue. Fog lamps stopped working around same time. Drivers side door started catching on frame and wouldnt open. Have to get rid of it now at almost 85K because transmission is bad, but has been reliable up until that point.

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  Too many issues - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By H.Lapham - March 22 - 12:56 am

  I have had too many problems with this car. Shortage with the turn signals was the only recall on this that I got when there should have been plenty more recalls on it. The seat belts locking up(when they shouldnt),left high beem does not work now has a short in it, all my gauges on the dash board dont work, my drivers side window has a short in it and my locks have messed up on it before. I feel sorry for anyone who has bought this hunk of junk.

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  Host of Problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Cher - September 16 - 7:20 pm

  We bought this car new from the dealer. Since then the headlights have gone out twice under warranty, then paid +$300 to get them fixed again, now the fog lights are out (issue is in a wiring harness that keeps corroding, and even if they replace the entire harness, the same issue will happen because the harness still is built the same way - with poor wires; GM states that it is not their issue, but if you research this, just about every one of them has this problem; sounds like it should be recalled and a completely new harness designed). The fuel pump will go out about every 50k-60k miles. Now the window will not roll down. Many calls to GMs product assist/complaint line go non-returned.

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  Not So Great - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By dl922 - December 17 - 12:04 am

  These cars have an extremely poor build quality. My center console lid has broken, had to replace one window motor, and another soon, vent selectors dont work, the plastic cladding on the outside of the door gets caught on the fender. The list goes on and on. Ive had this car for just over two years, and I simply cannot wait to get rid of it.

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  Stuff that shouldnt break does - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By D Hyde - October 26 - 4:10 pm

  This car is poorly built. The drivetrain so far (50K miles) is fine, but just about everything else has been a disaster. After just a year, both power window motors broke, which cost >$800 to fix. The original brake shoes wore out after only 10K miles, yet the 2nd pair is still fine after 40K. On the roof the clear coat is bubbling and peeling, which started when the car was only 4 years old. The radio sometimes does not turn on when the car does. The whole body is tweaked, so sometimes the doors wont close. Several wheels and the back axle are bent. The suspension is way too soft so the weight distribution is impossible to manage, causing poor handling. Mine doesnt have anti-lock brakes..

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  DONT BUY GM - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By dontbuyGM - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Had my car less than 6 months and it started falling apart. VERY POOR quality car. The paint is peeling off all over. Front end of car is messed up, Ive been told it was more than likely damaged at the factory. ****GM mechanics SUCK!! I have had 6 dashes, 4 left panels, 3 right panels, 3 consoles, and the stereo replaced!! ALL because the "GM CERTIFIED MR GOODWRENCH MECHANICS" are careless when they work on my car!!! And guess what GM customer service does NOT care I have called numerous times!! BEWARE OF HOW FAST THIS CAR CAN FALL APART!!! BUY A FORD INSTEAD!! I WISH I HAD!!!!!