This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗RELEASE OF STEERING GEAR STUB SHAFT BEARING KIT FOR SERVICE. UPDATED 08-15-07. UPDATED 10/09/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLUNK FELT/NOISE HEARD FROM STEERING COLUMN, STEERING GEAR AND/OR FRONT OF VEHICLE DURING TURNING MANEUVER AND/OR STEERING WHEEL ROTATION (LUBRICATE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT [I-SHAFT]).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLUNK FELT/NOISE HEARD FROM STEERING COLUMN, STEERING GEAR AND/OR FRONT OF VEHICLE DURING TURNING MANEUVER AND/OR STEERING WHEEL ROTATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Pontiac Sunfire?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 71,049 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Pontiac/Sunfire.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.