2003 Pontiac Bonneville

▲ Better than typical

2003 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:56:37.661Z

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 PER YEAR

2003: 54 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STEERING 19%

19% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing pinion shaft and rack and pinion.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file, 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, 20030825

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, 20260714

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, 20140121

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 9 distinct reports on file.

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, 20180212

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, 20120906

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020815 — air bags

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 O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031017 — fuel system, gasoline

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, AN

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-

Campaign 03V238000 — check if this car was fixed