Stan Ternent failed to end his Burnley career on a winning note.
Glen Little bowed out before his move to Reading with a goal, but it was Sunderland who left Turf Moor with all three points.
Winger Little put the Clarets in front on 11 minutes. Paul Weller drilled the ball low into the box from the left, Richard Chaplow controlled it well at the near post before squaring it to Little, who was unmarked and slotted the ball into an empty net.
The Clarets had chances to increase their lead through Robbie Blake. First the striker turned sharply on the corner of the box but saw his shot saved by Thomas Myhre, then he curled a free-kick into a crowded area but the ball bounced into Myhre's arms.
Sunderland hit back eight minutes before the break when former Burnley target Sean Thornton's corner found Gary Breen unmarked six yards out. The centre-half's header beat goalkeeper Brian Jensen, who was rooted to his line.
Burnley had the better of some bad-tempered exchanges early in the second half. Blake was twice denied by Myhre while Lennie Johnrose just missed the target after latching on to Blake's free-kick.
But again Burnley were left to rue missed opportunities as the Black Cats took the lead.
Half-time substitutes Kevin Kyle and Marcus Stewart made the most of John Oster's cross as Stewart's header rebounded off the crossbar and Kyle nodded the ball back into the net for the winner.
Departing Burnley boss Ternent said: "I consider it to be an achievement to take us from what I inherited to where we are now.
"I said when I came I would leave the club better than I found it and I think I've done that."