2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,000 miles

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problem #2

Sep 142004

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
Continuation of ODI 10093259: Repeated inappropriate activation of pass lock 2 anti-theft system. The pass lock activates without warning resulting in stranding of motorist. GM denies defect in pass lock. However, dealer service manager states that, "I know that it will happen someday, that I'll go to start my (GM product) and the passlock won't let me." The service manager stated that "it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when" (the defect occurs). The dlr refers to the problems with the system as "an acceptable price to pay for having a theft prevention system. Inappropriate activation of the passlock system is likely to result in incidental injuries to stranded motorists if the incident occurs in a high crime area. Owners of vehicles equipped with passlock have no warning of pending failures which are expensive to repair. If the defect occurs while traveling far from one's home, the motorist would be stranded, quite possibly without the means to obtain repairs to continue their journey. GM service reps blame the failures on "wear and tear" of the ignition switch. However, this vehicle has been subject to recall for overvoltage damage to the switch. Such overvoltages are also likely to damage components of the passlock system (I.e. the hall effect sensor) within the ignition switch.

- Pecos, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 142004

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
Lock anti-theft system intermittently disables car. Sometimes the system will reset itself. The last time it would not reset.

- Pecos, TX, USA