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2003 Pontiac BONNEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

54 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

76,515 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 54 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1222.2%
Braking behavior611.1%
Electrical and battery issues59.3%
Fuel system concerns47.4%
Engine operation35.6%
Transmission and shifting11.9%

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.

Engine
9
Electrical System
7
Steering
7
Power Train
5
Unknown Or Other
5
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Air Bags:Frontal
2
Electrical System:Ignition
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine9
Electrical System7
Steering7
Power Train5
Unknown Or Other5
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Air Bags:Frontal2
Electrical System:Ignition2

Engine: 9; Electrical System: 7; Steering: 7; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
8
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
9
100,000 to 149,999
8
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9998
50,000 to 74,9996
75,000 to 99,9999
100,000 to 149,9998
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 14 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.

2002
1
2003
5
2004
3
2006
4
2007
3
2008
3
2009
8
2010
3
2011
2
2012
2
2014
9
2015
4
2016
3
2017
1
2018
1
2020
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20021
20035
20043
20064
20073
20083
20098
20103
20112
20122
20149
20154
20163
20171
20181
20201
20261

2002: 1; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 8; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 9; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10026786 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)

WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ACC POSITION, THE SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED OUT OF PARK ALTHOUGH THE DRIVERS FOOT WAS NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY.*AK *SCC *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026786 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026992 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)

THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE WITHOUT HIS FOOT BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE KEY POSITION WAS IN THE ACCELERATOR POSITION WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. (ESPECIALLY ON A HILL) *SCC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026992 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10030439 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)

CAR STARTED ON FIRE AFTER TUNING ON THE DEFOGGER

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030439 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033928 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)

VEHICLE SPEAKER LOCATED ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE SPEAKER ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT FIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL FUSES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IMMEDIATELY. (WHICH WAS COMPLETED BY THE SERVICE DEALER) THE SERVICE DEALER THEN SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECT AND TO RETURN IT TO THE SELLING DEALER. THE SELLING DEALER REFUSED TO AFFIRMATIVELY IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC CAU…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033928 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10043585 · 2003-10-26 (October 26, 2003)

PLENUM INTAKE VALVE & GASKET REPLACED IN APRIL 2003 AND AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2003. NOW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME THEY STOCK THESE PARTS DUE TO FREQUENT DEMAND FOR THEM. THIS IS MY 2ND PONTIAC AND I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BONNEVILLE. MY 2 PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE OVER $900 AND NOW I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING REPAIR AT DEAN ARBOUR CHEVROLET IN EAST TAWAS, MI. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043585 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056069 · 2004-01-29 (January 29, 2004)

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD. UPON IMPACT THE CHILD IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT WITH SEAT BELT ON FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE PLASTIC CONSOLE BETWEEN BOTH FRONT SEATS AND SPLIT OPEN THE FOREHEAD. CONSUMER FELT THAT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE CONSOLE IT POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056069 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10086912 · 2004-08-15 (August 15, 2004)

FIRESTONE TIRE AFFINITY TOURING T2 P225/60R16 97 T M +S DD4100 T04L DOT W2X0 AAC 3402--THE SIDEWALL OF THIS TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT AT SPEED OF APPROX. 60-65 MPR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, APPOX. 32,000. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE USED BY US 3 MONTHS AGO...ASSUME THE TIRE WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NEW. WE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AT APPOX. 31,250 MILES WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THIS TIRE WAS ON THE BACK WHEN IT BLEW; LUCKILY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT IF WE HAD LEFT THIS TIRE ON THE FRONT IT COULD HAVE CREAT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086912 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10087818 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER WAS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087818 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 ↗