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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2001 > Pontiac > SUNFIRE

2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE
Coupe
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used PONTIAC.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 3 of 5  
Passenger Rating 4 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 1 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 2 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   P
Structure/Safety Cage   P
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   A
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   P
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   P
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. <p>The Chevrolet Cavalier and the Pontiac Sunfire were redesigned for the 1995 model year. The Sunfire sedan was dropped after the 2002 model year, and the Cavalier was dropped after the 2005 model year.</p> Dummy movement wasn't well controlled. The dummy rotated around the left side of the airbag and, during rebound, the right rear of the dummy's head hit the window sill, denting it. Then the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. Measures taken from the neck, chest, and right leg indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the window sill, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the left tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be likely. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit was low. 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-door 2716 none 104 180 67 2.2 L 4-cylinder 25 32

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE . The crashworthiness data for this 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 153 Substantially worse than average
Collision Index 133 Substantially worse than average
Theft Index 63 Average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 03-01-2004
Units potentially affected: 1,415,231
NHTSA campaign number: 04V036000
Defective part or component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Description: 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. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures. 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 their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.


This 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 2.5 of 5
  Performance Rating 2.5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 2.5 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 2.5 of 5
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 3 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 3.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 3.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 2.5 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Canister Purge Vent Solenoid Wiring Harness. The cost to repair the Canister Purge Vent Solenoid Wiring Harness is estimated at $32.19 for parts and $52.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Transmission & Driveline An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Transmission Pass-Thru Connector, 4 Speed Automatic Transmission only. The cost to repair the Transmission Pass-Thru Connector is estimated at $10.00 for parts and $52.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Front Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) Wiring. The cost to repair the Front WSS Wiring is estimated at $117.00 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor Wiring (2.2L VIN 4 engine only). The cost to repair the Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor Wiring is estimated at $23.65 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimated based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and does not include diagnostic time or applicable taxes.. Moderate Problems
Starting & Charging An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Ignition Lock Cylinder and Housing Assembly. Problems with the Ignition Lock Cylinder and Housing Assembly may prevent the engine from starting. The cost to replace the Ignition Lock Cylinder and Housing Assembly is estimated at $289.65 for parts and $65.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Accessories Occasional problems on this vehicle are the failure of the Headlamp Wiring Harness and the Instrument Cluster. The cost to repair the Headlamp Wiring Harness is estimated at $10.00 for parts and $52.00 for labor. The cost to repair the Instrument Cluster is estimated at $165.00 for parts and $65.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
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Cost of Ownership (2001 - 2005):
Category:    Sunfire SE 2 Dr Coupe:
Depreciation $9,178
Financing $3,549
Insurance $10,329
State Fees $693
Fuel $4,250
Maintenance $2,358
Repairs $708
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $31,065

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 6 years or 100,000 miles  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Alignment and wheel balancing are considered maintenance after 7,500 miles. Basic warranty includes surface corrosion, batteries, adjustments, alternate transportation, roadside assistance, and tires. Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  

This 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Low price, stylish body.
By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief, NewCarTestDrive.com

Pontiac Sunfire offers buyers sporty, expressive styling and performance in an affordably priced, American-built car. Sunfire models appeal to a wide range of car enthusiasts, from economy sport sedan buyers to those interested in more intimate coupes.

Its low entry price makes the Sunfire GT Coupe a good value in the competitive coupe market.

Overview:

Pontiac's Sunfire offers wild styling with good fuel economy and a low price of entry. The Sunfire is easy to drive and fun to drive quickly, particularly with the available 150-horsepower twin-cam engine.

Read the complete 2001 Pontiac Sunfire review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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