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KLUNK
KLUNK

2005 Pontiac Sunfire

The Verdict

82 Smooth Ride

The 2005 Pontiac Sunfire has 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (55 complaints) and engine (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 82/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Pontiac Sunfire, consider the 2004 model year which has 52% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2004 has 52% fewer complaints

View the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire dashboard →

82

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000191334438
200117928221
2002261329185
2003111039232
2004731570
2005415580

By Category

Electrical
55
Engine
8
Body
4
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
29
2
39

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 1

None of the gauges work properly Gm has not issued a recall despite the numerous complaints and it is a 500 to 800 dollar repair bill to replace the instrument cluster. 2005 Sunfire and the instrument cluster is malfunctioning. The gas gauge has stopped working altogether and the temp and rpm gauge work erratically. This is definitely a recall issue and has nothing to do with the maintenance of the vehicle. Gm wants me to have a dealer check the vehicle when they are well aware of this issue as there are multiple posting from owners of this issue online.

49mo ago
Electrical 2

GOING DOWN HILL, TURNED MY CAR TO THE RIGHT AND THE CAR KEEP GOING STRAIGHT. IT DID NOT TURN AT ALL. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC, BUT MY CAR HIT THE CURVE FIRST STOPPING AN ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING I HAVE REPLACE WINDOW MOTOR TWICE AND THEY HAVE WENT OUT AGAIN NOW. AND I HAVE ALSO REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR BUTTONS FOR A SECOND TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS

112mo ago
Electrical 2

RECALL NEEDED! INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS FAILED. STARTED WITH THE FUEL GAUGE MOVING IN WRONG DIRECTION INTO SPEEDOMETER. EMPTY IS AT 110MPH. SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 55MPH WHILE COMING INTO TOWN AND NEEDING TO REDUCE TO 35MPH WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME! WITH THE LINE OF TRAFFIC THAT WAS BEHIND ME IM GUESSING IT WAS STUCK THERE FOR A BIT BEFORE I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING MOTOR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES IT NOW GOES DOWN TO 45MPH AND INCREASES FROM THERE. RPM DIAL STOPPED WORKING MOMENTS AFTER SPEEDOMETER STUCK. HEAT GUAGE SEEMS INTACT BUT WHO KNOWS FOR SURE. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I DON'T FEEL SAFE PUTTING MY CHILDREN IN AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. YET ANOTHER CUT CORNER BY GM THAT THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE.

125mo ago
Electrical 1

GAS GAUGE TEMP GAUGE RPM GAUGE ALL DONT WORK WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING

128mo ago
Electrical 2

INSTRUMENT GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER) WENT FIRST THEN SLOWLY PROGRESSED INTO ALL OF THEM. THEY ARE SPORADICALLY ACCURATE, BUT MOST OF THE TIME REST AT THE LOW OR HIGH END AND OFTEN OFF INTO THE NEXT GAUGE. I PAID FIRESTONE A FEW YEARS BACK TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC HOPING ONE GAUGE WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE REST TO FAIL, BUT ITS THE CLUSTER. COST FOR REPLACEMENT ~ $800. (FOR ME ABOUT 3 WEEKS PAY) SO RECENTLY I DECIDED I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE AND WENT SEARCHING FOR ALTERNATIVE PRICES AND LOOK WHAT I FIND, A BILLION SUNFIRE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. (OKAY BUT A LOT) AND THESE ARE JUST THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BOTHERED TO COMPLAIN. BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR YEARS, ITS NOW AT THE POINT I DESCRIBED ABOVE. I HAVE EMISSIONS AT THE END OF MARCH. SO LOOKS LIKE I'M OUT 1 WEEKS PAY (EARNING A BIT MORE, BUT NOT MUCH) BECAUSE GM WONT OWN UP TO THEIR CHEAPLY MANUFACTURED PARTS. BUY AMERICAN? GEE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT MENTALITY DIDN'T SURVIVE THE 80'S. MY NEXT CAR? FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT CARES ABOUT QUALITY. *TR

139mo ago
Electrical 2

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF, USUALLY WHEN IDLING OR STOPPED. CLOCK AND RADIO RESET. CAR CAN EASILY BE RESTARTED, BUT CLOCK AND RADIO MUST BE RESET. HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM ON SEVERAL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. *TR

142mo ago
Engine 1

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE ENTIRE CAR DIED. I LOST ALL STEERING AND ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRIED TO BE RESTARTED THAT WAS A VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. ONCE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS OIL IN THE VEHICLE. WAS ALSO TOLD THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR. *TR

143mo ago
Electrical 2

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ANYMORE - THE GAUGE WAS AT HOT EVEN WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF OVERNIGHT AND WAS COMPLETELY COOL. NOW IT IS ALL THE WAY AROUND UNDERNEATH THE GAUGE NEXT TO IT. *TR

143mo ago
Electrical 1

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY TACHOMETER GAUGE INDICATOR WAS ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT UNDER MY SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER WHILE GOING TO THE STORE, I NOTICED THAT MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS SHOWING HOT AND NOT ACCURATE ALSO. THIS WAS DISCUSSED WITH MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMS ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE COST TO FIX??? IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $500 -- I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A HANDICAPPED CHILD AND DO NOT LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK GM SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT-- WHY WAIT THAT LONG? BECAUSE IF IT IS ME OR MY CHILD-- I PROMISE IT WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR THEM! *TR

144mo ago
Engine 1

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES OUT AND THE CAR WILL NOT START, THE HORN WILL NOT WORK THE CARE CLAIM TO RUN HOT WHEN THAT ISN'T THE CASE. THE WINDOW STOP WORKING, THE ENGINE SAY THAT IT NEED CHECKING HOWEVER WHEN I TAKE IT TO BE SERVICE THEY ALWAYS SAYS THIS MODEL HAS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD WIRES REPLACED, NEW STARTER, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW MOTOR IN THE LEFT WINDOW. AND I HAVE HAD ALL THIS DONE TO FINE OUT THAT THERE IS ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE WASTED HUNDREDS WHEN ALL YOU HAD TO DO IS ADMIT THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND SUBMIT A RECALL. *TR

145mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ODOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES FLUCTUATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

148mo ago
Electrical 2

DAUGHTER CALLED DURING LATE NIGHT DRIVE FROM UNIVERSITY, TEMP GAUGE HAS GONE TOO HIGH! HAD TO GET OFF FREEWAY AND DRIVE THROUGH BAD PART OF TOWN BACK TO UNIVERSITY DETROIT MERCY. CALL FOR RIDE HOME. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE TOWED TO SHOP. TEMP GAUGE NOT WORKING AT ALL NOW. SHOP SAYS THAT THE WHOLE GAUGE PANEL NEEDS REPLACEMENT! *TR

149mo ago
Electrical 2

ALL GAUGES IN THE VEHICLE HAVE STOPPED WORKING (I.E. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND TEMP GAUGES). TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH PONTIAC SUNFIRE MODELS FROM YEARS 2003-2005. ALSO, WITH THE CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2003-2005, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME CAR. GM CHANGED SUPPLIERS FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THESE YEARS. INSTRUMENT FAILURE IS CAUSED BY THE INFERIOR PARTS USED BY GM, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ONE CAN NOT BLAME INSTRUMENT FAILURE ON A LACK OF MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE OWNER. ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE THAT TRAVELS ROUGHLY 5,000 MILES A YEAR. SUCH AN ISSUE IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEIR USE OF SUB-PAR MATERIALS. HAVE CHECKED FUSES, AND HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED (I.E. IT'S NOT A SHORT TO GROUND PROBLEM). THESE ARE NOT THE RESULT OF THE GAUGES FAILING. TOLD THE COST WOULD BE OVER $500 FOR A NEW INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY GM FOR THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

149mo ago
Engine 2

MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD CAR SHUT OFF AND EVERYTHING LOCKED UP AND HAD NO POWER. AFRAID IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT FASTER SPEED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

149mo ago
Electrical 2

SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 60MPH WILL GO UP FROM THAT BUT NOT DOWN. I SEE A BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE! CAN GM SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF !! *TR

150mo ago
Electrical 1

INSTRUMENTCLUSTERINOP,SPEEDOMETER,&TEMPERATUREGAUGEFAILING.RPMGAUGEFAILING,RANINTOSPEEDOMETER&EFFECTINGTHESPEEDOFTHECAR.VERYUNSAFE,MULTIPLECOMPLAINTSONDEFECTIVEINSTRUMENTCLUSTER.WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM.$500.00REPAIR,PONTIAC/GMHASNORECALLSONTHEISSUE.MULTIPLEOWNERSOFTHEVEHICEHAVESAMECOMPLAINTSOFTHISSAMEPROBLEM.DONTKNOWTHETEMPERATUREOFTHEVEHICLE,DONTKNOWTHESPEEDI'MDRIVING.SPEEDOMETERISGLITCHING.PROBLEM&DEFECTISAPPARENTLY,PROBLEMWITHSTEPPERMOTERSAREFAILINGINCLUSTER. *TR

152mo ago
Electrical 2

I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2007 AND THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER NEXT TO DRIVING WHEEL WAS NOT WORKING. CAR WAS IN STORAGE FOR OVER A YEAR AND AROUND MAY 2010 THE DRIVERS WINDOW STOPPED "ROLLING UP" SO WE GOT THE WINDOW MOTOR CHANGED AS THEY SAID IT WAS BURNT. WINDOW WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IT TURNED OUT TO BE ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAVING TO DO WITH THE SWITCH CONTROLLING THE WINDOWS. AROUND APRIL 2011 A NEW ISSUE, HIGH BEAMS STOPPED WORKING ON AND OFF. THEY EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING AND LEADING TO NO BEAMS AT ALL, NOT SIGNALS AND NO LIGHT IN DASHBOARD. ANOTHER PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. MAY 2013 - STEREO LIGHT IS NOT WORKING, BUT STEREO IS OPERATING. JULY 2013 - TRUNK WILL NOT LOCK. *TR

158mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR

159mo ago
Electrical 2

THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL (I.E. SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, TEMP GAUGE, RPM GAUGE) CEASED TO FUNCTION ONE BY ONE. *TR

161mo ago
Electrical 1

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 WITH 27,000 MILES. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, THE GAUGES STARTED QUITTING ONE BY ONE. IT'S BEEN ALMOST THREE YEARS SINCE ANY OF MY GAUGES WORKED IN ANY CAPACITY. AFTER READING SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, I REALLY FEEL ITS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. MINE QUIT BEFORE I HIT 50,000 MILES! *TR

164mo ago

68 total

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