Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | ||||||||||||||||
| 04V036000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 02/01/1999 to 06/30/2000 | V (Vehicle) | 1415231 | 03/01/2004 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/27/2004 | 02/05/2004 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 04002.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 090903 | 09/09/2003 | 10005059 | The body control module (bcm) may set a false code of b3785. gm voicemail log. *tt | 01/28/2004 | |
| 01411 | 11/18/2003 | 10004215 | False code b3785. service vme. *tt | 11/21/2003 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||||
| 02232004 | 02/23/2004 | 10013000 | 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. *tt | 04/05/2005 | |
| 04122004 | 04/12/2004 | 10009214 | Ignition circuit thermal events, three phase safety recall 04002. gm voicemail express. *tt | 09/17/2004 | |
| 04002 | 05/12/2004 | 10007858 | Product safety recall ignition circuit thermal events. *mj | 07/13/2004 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 020604011 | 03/01/2002 | 634710 | Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code p0140. *tt | 10/07/2002 | |
| 250202 | 02/25/2002 | 627813 | Information regarding calibration to prevent false setting of diagnostic trouble code p0133. *yh | 02/25/2002 | |
| 010102 | 01/01/2002 | 627399 | Information regarding calibration to prevent false setting of dtc . *yh | 02/07/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| 210602 | 06/21/2002 | 637259 | This service is regarding a wire routing issue that can lead to service engine soon lamp activation and various drivability concerns. *tt | 11/22/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||||
| 32 | 02/01/2001 | 623591 | Some vehicles with manual transmission may experience the illumination of the abs light when the transmission is placed in 2nd or 4th gear, visual inspection of the dbc7 wiring harness, with the transmission in 2nd or 4th gear, may reveal s | 10/29/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 04/30/2012 | 150000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a small fire occurred in the steering column and instrument panel. in addition, the front driver's side windshield was cracked. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. in 2005, the vehicle was repaired under a recall related to the most recent failure under nhtsa campaign id number: 04v036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). the manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. kmj | |||
| 04/30/2012 | 150000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. the contact stated when the vehicle was parked and unoccupied a small fire occurred in the steering column and instrument panel; however there were no flames present upon entering the vehicle. in addition, the front driver's side windshield cracked. the vehilce.was towed to the residence and had not been repaired. in 2005, the vehicle was repaired under a recall related to the most recent failure. the nhtsa campaign id number was 04v036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. js | |||
| 01/02/2008 | |||
| Rear passanger side turn signal socket it is getting very hot and is melting bulbs and socket. have replaced bulbs various times with and without proper grease and no change. | |||
| 02/22/2007 | 1 | 09/11/2002 | |
| My turn signals have been acting up lately. after doing some research online, i decided to file the claim-seems i am not the only one having the same problem. when i use my left turn signal, more often then not it doesn't work, my dash lights flash and my windshield wipers will not shut off. when i use my right signal, the dash lights flash but my windshield wipers only stay on for about a minute. if i have my headlights on (for night driving) the wipers are on constantly. also, my windshield fluid does not spray. i had the wiring replaced some time around when i purchased it 4 years ago (old part not available). it corrected the problem for about a year, however since then it has been a come and go issue. *nm | |||
| 08/20/2004 | 73000 | 2 | |
| My car is a 2000 pontiac sunfire, and twice within 12 months i have had the same problem with this vehicle. the day time running lights and the bright lights quit working , the 1st time the dealership said it was a bad wire and replaced it, within one year it happened again, but the dealership said that the part was only warranted for 1yr or 12,000 miles of which the vehicle had been driven over the 12,000 miles,therefore i am having to pay again (twice in one year ) for the same problem. this is ridiculous! *jb | |||
| 07/26/2003 | 7 | 11/16/1999 | |
| I have had my vehicle in for brake repair several times in the past 3 1/2 yrs. at least 5-7 times. my car is now experiencing several electrical problems with a plug under the harness and with the computer system and wiring. my car will not start for several days and then it will start, only to breakdown again when it heats up. it has also cut off while i was driving 70 mph on the expressway.it has been towed 3 times in three weeks for repair due to these problems. i've spent several hundred dollars trying to fix these problems and nothing seems to work. the plug under the harness was melting through my back floorboard, melting my carpet with the potential to catch on fire. i was informed by the service men that i'm experiencing computer and wiring problems. they advised me to contact my insurance company regarding totaling my car out because it has great potential to catch on fire. i contacted gm's customer assistance center regarding all of the problems i'm having and they are not willing to help due to my car being 3 1/2 yrs. old. there have been several other small issues with this vehicle, but this car is very dangerous and i cannot afford to keep wasting money on repairs. i think a car should last more than 3 1/2 yrs! july 26th 2003 was the last tow date and it's still in the shop. can you help? *ph | |||
| 12/15/2002 | 10 | ||
| The vehicle stalled. the dealer stated the problem was electrical. *jb | |||
| 1 | 03/12/2000 | ||
| Consumer stated the alternator was replaced, also the coil had burned the terminals and wires.*jb | |||
| 11/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was blowing fuses to rear tailights. if vehicle could be be driven/ turned off, started back up, and there will be no lights in rear. dealer has fixed it 4 times. they have replaced fuses, and has no other remedy. consumer has be stranded without any lights at night.*ak | |||
| 02/08/2000 | 3 | ||
| Brand new automobile continued to breakdown. consumer was told that it was an electrical problem or computer problem. just missed being crushed by oncoming automobiles on highway. *ak *ml | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 05/15/2001 | |||
| Vehicle stalled twice in the last 6 months at about 45 mph. vehicle taken to dealer 4-5 times,could not locate cause. dealer replaced battery and alternator. consumer refused to drive vehicle. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 05/15/2001 | |||
| Vehicle stalled twice in the last 6 months at about 45 mph. vehicle taken to dealer 4-5 times,could not locate cause. dealer replaced battery and alternator. consumer refused to drive vehicle. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 10/01/2007 | 5 | 05/01/2007 | |
| Passenger tail light or brake light have been replaced several times. fuses replaced several times. once replaced bulbs defect within an hour or so. dome light or over head light repeats same process. vehicle's battery and terminals replaced with no change. $$$ *tr | |||
| 7 | |||
| When driving headlights, and everything in dashboard completely shutdown. vehicle has been to repair garage a total of seven times for an electical problem. however, problem has not been remedied as of yet. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was blowing fuses to rear tailights. if vehicle could be be driven/ turned off, started back up, and there will be no lights in rear. dealer has fixed it 4 times. they have replaced fuses, and has no other remedy. consumer has be stranded without any lights at night.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 12/13/2009 | 125000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. the ignition switch has melted,which disabled vehicle operation. the dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. he was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the warranty expired, and there were no recalls that addressed the failure. the failure mileage was 125,000. | |||
| 09/24/2001 | 50168 | 1 | 09/24/2001 |
| While on active duty in the army, i purchased a used 2000 pontiac sunfire in georgia. the car began giving me problems only 6 months after the purchase. luckily, i forced the dealership to pay for a warranty because i had to have 3 major repairs within a 11/2 after that. unfortunately, shortly after the warranty was up, i discover numerous other problems with the automobile, including the recall. this car is truly a lemon! i do not believe i should have to suffer with this defective car. i owe over 3 times the value of the car. even though i have all the documentation to support my good care and maintenance, no one will touch this car because it has so many other defects besides the recall (front end suspension issues, fuel tank). i am a disabled veteran now with only a small pension to support myself and two children. this car has been a nightmare since i bought it and fixing the ignition switch is not going to fix this lemon. i have put over $3000 in repairs on this car over the last few years aside from the monthly financed payments of $282 x 3yrs=$10,152 and i still owe $7800. the car is only valued at $2150. and when dealers look at the history of problems behind this car, they don't even want to give me $2000.*ak | |||
| 10/29/2001 | 26 | 01/16/2001 | |
| Exhaust system was replaced due to it getting hot melting the carpet and paint inside trunk, fumes filled interior of vehicle at this time exhaust system is running just as hot again, dealer stated factory representative instructed him not to do anything about the exhaust system, there was nothing that could be done.*ak consumer states the vehicle has bad gas mileage, starter motor seized and failed, power steering fluid was leaking, coolant was leaking from left front and back of the vehicle, replaced radiator, heater blows cold air at idle, trunk leaks, head lamp is out of adjustment, glove box will not close, muffler fell off, key comes out of ignition with vehicle running, transmission has no reverse, there was brake pulsation at high speed or when stopping, brake pedal goes to floor, speakers inoperative, seat spring failed, suspected motor oil smell and replaced thermostat, horn was inoperative, power and grounds distribution replaced, window will not go down all the way, found window regulator failed, hazard lamps and turn signal were inoperative, replaced blown fuse, cigarette lighter inoperative, replaced blown fuse, traction control inoperative, engine light comes on, a/c hose leaking, replaced evaporator, hard to start and rough idle, engine make rattling noise and quit running, replaced head cylinder and 02 sensor, vehicle pulls to the left, overflow bottle melted and 42 goodyear tires blew out, also the hvac was inoperative. *yd | |||
| 04/16/2000 | 2 | 01/01/2000 | |
| When driven at highway speed for long time--turn off car-- will not start again. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||
| 08/05/2003 | 53000 | 1 | 05/15/2000 |
| Car stops accelerating while driving then dies. been going on since august and have not been able to find the problem. generating numerous communication errors. had the computer replaced thought this was the problem but it did not fix the issue. the first time this happened was 8/5/03 and it was in the shop for a week with no resolution. it ran for a couple more days then did it again the following week around 8/11/03. this went on through august in and out of the shop at which time i rented a car to get back and forth to work since the problem was gradually getting worse and being broken down on the freeway was getting to be a dangerous problem. the computer was replaced on 10/22/03 and it died when i drove off. car has been towed 3 times due to not starting right back up and being stranded on the freeway. it has been in the shop for over a week as of today 10/29/03 and dealer is telling me that it is the oxygen sensors but cannot guarantee the work. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 02/08/2000 | 3 | ||
| Brand new automobile continued to breakdown. consumer was told that it was an electrical problem or computer problem. just missed being crushed by oncoming automobiles on highway. *ak *ml | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 5 | 10/01/1999 | ||
| Problems with 2000 pontiac sunfire engine. *mr the vehicle would crank sometimes but not start. on one occasion the vehicle attempted to crank and stalled in the process. the problem continued. the consumer was told that the starter had gone out, maybe there was an electrical problem, or the fuel pump. the fuel pump and sender ring was replaced. there was a burnt coolant smell and the valve cover gasket ruptured leaking oil. *sc *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 10/29/2001 | 26 | 01/16/2001 | |
| Exhaust system was replaced due to it getting hot melting the carpet and paint inside trunk, fumes filled interior of vehicle at this time exhaust system is running just as hot again, dealer stated factory representative instructed him not to do anything about the exhaust system, there was nothing that could be done.*ak consumer states the vehicle has bad gas mileage, starter motor seized and failed, power steering fluid was leaking, coolant was leaking from left front and back of the vehicle, replaced radiator, heater blows cold air at idle, trunk leaks, head lamp is out of adjustment, glove box will not close, muffler fell off, key comes out of ignition with vehicle running, transmission has no reverse, there was brake pulsation at high speed or when stopping, brake pedal goes to floor, speakers inoperative, seat spring failed, suspected motor oil smell and replaced thermostat, horn was inoperative, power and grounds distribution replaced, window will not go down all the way, found window regulator failed, hazard lamps and turn signal were inoperative, replaced blown fuse, cigarette lighter inoperative, replaced blown fuse, traction control inoperative, engine light comes on, a/c hose leaking, replaced evaporator, hard to start and rough idle, engine make rattling noise and quit running, replaced head cylinder and 02 sensor, vehicle pulls to the left, overflow bottle melted and 42 goodyear tires blew out, also the hvac was inoperative. *yd | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 07/26/2003 | 7 | 11/16/1999 | |
| I have had my vehicle in for brake repair several times in the past 3 1/2 yrs. at least 5-7 times. my car is now experiencing several electrical problems with a plug under the harness and with the computer system and wiring. my car will not start for several days and then it will start, only to breakdown again when it heats up. it has also cut off while i was driving 70 mph on the expressway.it has been towed 3 times in three weeks for repair due to these problems. i've spent several hundred dollars trying to fix these problems and nothing seems to work. the plug under the harness was melting through my back floorboard, melting my carpet with the potential to catch on fire. i was informed by the service men that i'm experiencing computer and wiring problems. they advised me to contact my insurance company regarding totaling my car out because it has great potential to catch on fire. i contacted gm's customer assistance center regarding all of the problems i'm having and they are not willing to help due to my car being 3 1/2 yrs. old. there have been several other small issues with this vehicle, but this car is very dangerous and i cannot afford to keep wasting money on repairs. i think a car should last more than 3 1/2 yrs! july 26th 2003 was the last tow date and it's still in the shop. can you help? *ph | |||
| 01/08/2002 | 1 | 03/01/2001 | |
| Son (denny herold) drove car to work and to a friends house, shut off car, went inside, and came back to find his car full of smoke (windows down) smoke rolling from car. fire department, police called just missed by 15 minutes having his pregnant wife and 2 year old sone in the car with him. gm notified, green chevrolet notifed, fire department looked at, state farm looked at, gm fire inspector looked at fire started on passenger side of car on floor near console. car totally destroyed. fire dept and state farm said electrical. office of defects nhtsa has a odi id: 717953 on 1/23/2000 which reported a similar incident where fire occurred in car because of short in lead wire on passenger side of car and burned through carpet.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 02/20/2006 | 2 | 07/27/2000 | |
| I would like to report a pattern of small (but annoying) complaints with the 2000 pontiac sunfire i recently owned. i state recently owned because i gratefully traded it in last week with just 56,234 miles on it on a new 2006 subaru impreza. i bought the pontiac new in 2000 and cared for it up until recently, when problems began cropping up on it like snowflakes in a blizzard. my sunfire ran well until about six month ago when i began to notice a burning oil smell from its vents. it turned out that it needed a new valve cover gasket that was causing a minor oil leak. its exhaust system was also beginning to rust out. however, recently, a few lights on the dash cluster that illuminated the car's tachometer and shifter console went out-no reason given-garage said it would be a difficult repair. then, about two weeks ago, the digital odometer began to go blank and show symbols. i had had enough, so i traded it in last week (after revealing to the dealer the problems that it had). i hope they can fix it up and provide it with a new owner-it was a nice car, but i don't think a car should begin to wear out that quickly-my previous car, a 1993 ford escort bought new, lasted me for over 120,000 miles before i traded it in on the pontiac. again, gm needs to look into its quality-no wonder they are losing customers (like me) to foreign car companies. *nm | |||
| 07/26/2003 | 7 | 11/16/1999 | |
| I have had my vehicle in for brake repair several times in the past 3 1/2 yrs. at least 5-7 times. my car is now experiencing several electrical problems with a plug under the harness and with the computer system and wiring. my car will not start for several days and then it will start, only to breakdown again when it heats up. it has also cut off while i was driving 70 mph on the expressway.it has been towed 3 times in three weeks for repair due to these problems. i've spent several hundred dollars trying to fix these problems and nothing seems to work. the plug under the harness was melting through my back floorboard, melting my carpet with the potential to catch on fire. i was informed by the service men that i'm experiencing computer and wiring problems. they advised me to contact my insurance company regarding totaling my car out because it has great potential to catch on fire. i contacted gm's customer assistance center regarding all of the problems i'm having and they are not willing to help due to my car being 3 1/2 yrs. old. there have been several other small issues with this vehicle, but this car is very dangerous and i cannot afford to keep wasting money on repairs. i think a car should last more than 3 1/2 yrs! july 26th 2003 was the last tow date and it's still in the shop. can you help? *ph | |||
| 7 | |||
| When driving headlights, and everything in dashboard completely shutdown. vehicle has been to repair garage a total of seven times for an electical problem. however, problem has not been remedied as of yet. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 01/10/2002 | 1 | 03/13/2001 | |
| While driving the consumer noticed flames coming from vent house under the dash. drivers vehicle was totalled.*ak consumer also stated the vehicle had numerous radios that failed and were replaced by the dealership which had two computer fuses and other problems related to the electrical system. *scc | |||