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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Pontiac > SUNFIRE

2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. 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 4 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 Rating 4 of 5  

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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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 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 171 Substantially worse than average
Collision Index 139 Substantially worse than average
Theft Index 49 Better than 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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 01-18-2005
Units potentially affected: 256,025
NHTSA campaign number: 04V524000
Defective part or component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Description: 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 would not engage. An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the drivers intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash. 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.


This 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 4 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 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 2.5 of 5
  Style Rating 2.5 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 2.5 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 2 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 3 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 Occasional problems on this vehicle are failures with the Canister Purge Vent Solenoid and the Canister Purge Vent Solenoid Wiring Harness. The cost to repair the Canister Purge Vent Solenoid is estimated at $26.52 for parts and $32.50 for labor. 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 estimated based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or applicable taxes. Moderate Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Wheel Speed Sensor Wiring. The antilock brake light can come on and trouble codes may be stored. The cost to repair the Wheel Speed Sensor Wiring is estimated at $104.03 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 Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 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 (2003 - 2007):
Category:    Sunfire 2 Dr Coupe:
Depreciation $8,968
Financing $2,008
Insurance $7,615
State Fees $334
Fuel $3,261
Maintenance $2,058
Repairs $693
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $24,937

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 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Agile and sporty, with new features for 2003.
By Mitch McCullough, NCTD editor-in-chief, NewCarTestDrive.com

Pontiac Sunfire offers sporty, expressive styling and decent performance in an affordably priced coupe. Revisions to this year's model improve refinement and add convenience. Sunfire is getting long in the tooth, however, so look for deals.

Overview:

The Pontiac Sunfire is an agile compact coupe that's enjoyable to drive.

Changes improve the Sunfire for 2003. Revised front and rear styling freshens its appearance. GM's 2.2-liter Ecotec engine offers quieter operation, improved efficiency, and substantially more power than last year's base engine. Interior revisions improve comfort and convenience. Optional side airbags and the OnStar telematics system enhance safety. A retuned sports suspension offers quicker responses.

In spite of updates for 2003, it lacks the refinement of some of the latest models from the competition. Its base price looks attractive, but options will likely be needed to add desirable safety and convenience features.

Read the complete 2003 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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