2002 Pontiac BONNEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,176 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 89 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 22 | 24.7% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 12 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Steering:Column | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
Steering: 12; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 11; Electrical System: 8; Steering:Column: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 35 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 7; 2003: 6; 2004: 21; 2005: 11; 2006: 6; 2007: 13; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 8; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2019: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009710 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE SHIFTER WAS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK. NO BRAKES AFTER CAR WASH AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT TIMES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012270 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAGS. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029465 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT CONSUMER CAN FEEL IN THE REAR. TOOK TO PONTIAC, AND DEALER STATED TWO METAL GEARS WERE RUBBING TOGETHER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032312 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032987 · 2003-08-17 (August 17, 2003)
CLUNK FROM THE FRONT, SOME PLACE IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHEN TURNING. HOW DO I FIX IT, OR IS IT ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH?*AK FRONT SEATS ARE SO VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. WE HAVE ADDED SEAT CUSHIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE BETTER SUPPORT, YET THEY CONTINUE TO BE HORRIBLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051961 · 2003-12-23 (December 23, 2003)
THERE'S A METALLIC POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE NOISE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR PAN AND RUBBING. THE AREA WHERE THE COMPONENTS WERE RUBBING BEGAN TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058313 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)
PURCHASED PONTIAC BONNEVILLE JULY 2002, EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING T2 TIRES. JULY 17, 2003 AT 12,351 MILES HAD R/R TIRE- REPAIRED AT DEALER (M&S CHEVROLET IN PAWLING NY)(WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SCREW IN TIRE) TOLD NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. TIRES WERE ROTATED & BALANCED AT THIS TIME. DECEMBER 29, 2003 PROBLEM WITH RIGHT REAR TIRE (16,906 MILES) TOLD A PUNCTURE. WAS REPAIRED, TOLD AGAIN THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON TIRES. FEB 11, 2004 HAD A BLOW OUT LEFT FRONT TIRE. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO MAJOR INJURIES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 17,969 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058456 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
CAR CONSTANTLY SQUEAKS ON DRIVER'S SIDE BY DOOR/SEAT. WHEN DEALER NOTIFIED LESS THAN 36000 MILES SAID THEY CUULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, WHEN COMPLAINED AGAIN AT 40000 MILES DEALER SAID I NEEDED NEW BRAKES. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN ONE CITY, I LIVE IN ANOTHER CITY AND PURCHASED GM EXTENDED WARRANTEE AND AT FIRST DEALER IN THE CITY I LIVE IN WAS REFUSING TO DO NEW CAR WARANTEE WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058456 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V222000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.
Consequence: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗