Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
3447100170864t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes. *tt10/24/2005
0160401/01/200401604A100071354t40e, 4t45e change in appearance of forward, second and reverse clutch wave plate. *tt05/27/2004
030729005A10/01/200303072900510004732Clunk noise from front end during low speed turns or maneuvers. *tt01/02/2004
03072900506/01/200310002861Clunk noise from front end during low speed turns or maneuvers. *tt09/29/2003
03073002105/01/200310002392Neutral flare and/or rpm flare while in drive, no 1-2 upshift, service engine soon (ses) light illuminated, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1810, diagnostic trouble code p1815 set. *tt08/27/2003
02073005012/01/200210000759Engineering changes to the valve body, pressure regulator valve, 2-3 accumulator valve and bore for 2002-2003 model year 4t45e transaxles and subsequent overhaul procedures which affect 1995-2001 model year transaxles. *tt03/28/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
07073002510/01/200710023942Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body reconditioning, dtc p0741, p0742, p0751, p0752, p0756, p0757, p1811, harsh shifts, slips, no drive, no reverse. *nj02/20/2008
366910019228M86/m94 transmission information to disassemble third fourth and fifth gear. *ak02/21/2006
32533253B10017096Vehicle will not move in either direction. transmission may show over full. p90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. converter may be empty of fluid. *tt10/24/2005
03072900507/01/200410012102Clunk noise from front end during low speed turns or maneuvers. this service bulletin replaces 030729005a. *eh02/11/2005
030730021A11/01/200303073002110005579Neutral flare and/or rpm flare while in drive, no 1-2 upshift, service engine soon (ses) light illuminated, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1810, diagnostic trouble code p1815 set. *tt03/04/2004
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
02073004811/02/200210006166Pressure control solenoid replacement for 4t65-e, 4t40-e, and 4t45-e transaxle/transmission.*mr04/23/2004
990730030A04/01/2001990730030619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking05/24/2001
01010102/13/2001618106Concerns with 4t40e / 4t45e four speed automatic transaxles with atf leaks at either the cooler line seals or at one or both axle seals. *jb04/04/2001
00073001407/01/2000614391Some owners of vehicles with a hydra-matic 3t40 transaxle (built between julian dates 9270 - 9292) may comment that the vehicle slips in reverse, no reverse, slips in d1, or no d1 range. *tt10/13/2000
0004905/01/2000613585Information regarding mismachined sealing surface on forward clutch housing of 4t40-e transaxle. **mr07/25/2000
99073003012/01/19995751136089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt03/01/2000
99073003112/01/19996089949Some owners of certain vehicles built prior to november 1, 1999 may comment on a no third and fourth gear condition. *tt02/29/2000
VSG1999008009/15/1999607998Subject regarding engineering request for vehicles with 4t40e and 4t45e transaxles with a condition of no third or no fourth gear. *tt10/27/1999
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
18070207/18/2002637293This message covers vehicles with the manual transmission and a complaint of clutch will not release completely after installation of the new spo clutch parts. *tt11/22/2002
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
391510019423Clutch pedal stays to floor. *tt03/14/2006
0152201/01/200410005459Clutch pedal stays to floor repeat slave cylinder fail. sit bulletin 1405756. *tt02/27/2004
020731003A03/01/2004020731003B10004285Clutch pedal buzz or vibration. *tt12/01/2003
04180204/18/2002636556Customer complaints of low clutch pedal reserve or clutch pedal sticks to the floor. *tt11/10/2002
02073100305/01/2002634966Clutch pedal buzz or vibration. *tt10/10/2002
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
02072900102/01/2002631218Some customers may complain on a grinding or rattle type noise coming from the transmission. *slc05/21/2002
22060106/22/2001623745Subject regarding customer complaint of a notchy shift feel or difficulty shifting into gear, usually first gear, third gear or fifth gear. *tt10/30/2001
29080108/29/2001620843Information on vehicles exhibiting manual transmission gear noise. *tt08/31/2001
29110011/29/2000616394Subject pertaining to manual transmission rattle. *tt02/25/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
02/05/20131500001
 My daughters car was having starting problems (not enough gas getting to the engine to start, had to pump the gas). i took it for a test drive in a empty parking lot once it started. i was going approx 10mph the first time i pushed the gas pedal to the floor. when i released the pedal it stayed in place at full throttle. i pushed the breaks to stop the car and had to throw it into neutral before the throttle released. scared the hell out of me!! thank god my teenage daughter never pushed the throttle all the way down!! i tried it several more times with the same results. somehow the throttle sticking is tied to the transmission because, everytime, the throttle would released as soon as i put it in neutral. i donot have the vin because we took it to a shop tonight. just thought i should warn anyone else with this vehicle. i had my daughter meet me in the parking lot and told her to floor it with the same results, and as i thought would happened she panic and only pushed the breaks yelling ow god, ow god. i had my hand on the shifter and moved it to neutral. against her will made her do it again and again so she could learn not to panic and put it in neutral in case this happens to her ever in the future. should be a training in drivers ed. *tr
06/30/2004620881
 The transmission failed at 62000 miles. *nm the consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer but was denied. *nm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/19/20041
 My 2000 sunfire automatic car stopped moving on december 19, 2004 with 64,000 miles on it. i had it in the dealership in viroqua, wi on mon., dec. 21. they told me on dec. 22 the transmission went out and the part would be in at the beginning of january 2005. i called them every week in the beginning of the month. i was told i was on the top of the hundreds list to get the part. then the date was moved to the end of jan. 2005. i called them back on feb. 1, 2005 and they told me they didn't know when the part would be made and they have moved the place where they make the parts. i have a loaner car from the dealership, but i want my car back. is there a major problem with the automatic transmissions in gm vechiles or in the sunfire car directly?*ak
10/29/20012601/16/2001
 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
01/19/2001304/01/2000
 Since purchased in april 24 2000, having transmission problems and defective transmission pan gasket and defective transmission pump has been replaced, grinding noises when car is parked. entire transmisson had to be taken out of vehicle and brake failure with in the 8 months of ownership. *ak
04/01/200011/01/1999
 Prior to the transmission failing, i did get a engine check light about two months previous. when the dealership checked it out, they said the light indicated a problem with the transmission, but when they ran the computer checks they couldn't find anything wrong with the transmission. with no warning light on, the reverse gear went out on this car. when i talked with the dealership i was informed that my car was the second sunfire that they themselves had to replace the transmission in. when i called pontiac to inquire as to this specific problem i was told by them that they don't keep those statistics. if that information is not kept by them, how do they ever know if/that they have a problem with their product? do they not have quality control?? thank you for your assistance. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
10/29/20012601/16/2001
 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
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
09/24/200150168109/24/2001
 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
04/14/2001108/01/2000
 I was driving straight through a residential neighboorhood at about 15-20 mph, when i lost control of my vehicle, and crashed into a parked car. the cause of accident was unknown at the time, but there were several people including mechanics that have looked at my car and stated to me that the axle snapped in half. this would of occured before i hit the other car, because i was knocked unconscious from the deployment of the airbags, due to the snap of the axle. i have tried to ask many people to look at it, to see what they think would of been the cause, but they have said that they are not able to. many mechanics have stated to me that the impact of my car with the other car would not of caused it to snap. also, with the ways that the cars ended up together, there is no possible way. i would just like to know if there is anything that can be done to determin the cause of the accident. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
02/18/2002104/01/2001
 Driving in a residential area at 15mph, car made a griding sound. clutch froze, and transaxel fluid was dripping from car. 1st mechanic said differential pin came loose and blew off transmission cover, lodging itself in the transimission. 2nd mechanic confirmed. both said that they have seen this before in pontiac sunfire's. there is no recall as of this date. repair will cost me over $2000.*ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
203/12/2000
 Consumer stated vehicle would not shift out of gear, the dealer replaced the transmission.*jb