MYRModel Year Report

2003 Pontiac Bonneville

▲ Better than typical
2003 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:51:16.044Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
54
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Steering

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2003 54 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2003 54 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1992 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1998 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2003 54 2004: 28 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

2003: 54 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19830
19841
19851
19863
198719
198817
198928
199039
199122
1992116
1993138
199489
1995244
1996150
1997147
1998277
1999143
2000214
2001129
200289
200354
200428
200527

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

19% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing pinion shaft and rack and pinion.

Electrical system

19% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-25

Look at the car the car is located [XXX] first of all you start off as a passcode 2 system and then it says passcode 3 system on the thing and I just don't want to deal with this because you have the cut off switch you have the fuel cut off switch...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system

On 8/1/11 while driving I heard a loud noise like I had been hit by something so I pulled off the highway and noticed that my left rear window had dropped down by itself and I could not raise it by activating the switch. GM replaced the operator.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-21

Engine

17% · 9 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, smoke emerged from underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-12

Acted like it was running out of gas, loss of power and speed. Only 50MPH when a boom in the engine, pulled over popped the hood latch, saw smoke, exited car as flames came out of the hood. Called 911.. Car burnt to the ground.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-06

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Power train

11% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

FIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-10-17Fuel system, gasoline03V238000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V238000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.