FaultScore

Pontiac Bonneville acceleration problems

61 of the 2,580 complaints filed about the Pontiac Bonneville are about the throttle and cruise control — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.

61

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

1

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1993 Bonneville 9 14.8%
1997 Bonneville 10 16.4%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1998 Bonneville 8 13.1%

Median failure at 49,585 miles

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Median failure at 98,000 miles

Median failure at 16,619 miles

Median failure at 85,000 miles

What owners said

2000 Pontiac Bonneville at 98,000 miles Munster, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING THE BONNEVILLE THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN, LOOSES ALL POWER. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALSO JUST ON LOCAL CITY DRIVING. YOU CAN BE GOING 30 MPH OR 65 MPH. CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN (WHICH IS VERY SCARY GOING 65 MPH) AND SOMEONE ON YOUR BUMPER. LOOSES POWER STEERING SO ITS HARD TO MOVE OVER LANES ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WE HAVE FOUND YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ON THE FIRST TURN OF THE KEY BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES OF TURNING THE KEY, ALL THIS WHILE COASTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH PEOPLE BUZZING ALL AROUND YOU. THE ONE TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS RIGHT BY THE GARAGE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO, TOOK IT OVER, THEY RAN A CHECK ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NOTHING CAME UP. THEY ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITHOUT JUST START RANDOMLY CHANGING PARTS THEY THINK IT MIGHT PERTAIN TO? ANY SUGGESTIONS, THIS ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT DOES THIS, AND ITS JUST RANDOM WHEN IT DOES DO IT, NO WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #10700689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Pontiac Bonneville at 150,000 miles Citrus Spring, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10625996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville at 50,000 miles Edenton, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD TO POWER STEER, NO POWER BRAKES, THE FUEL GAUGE READ NO FUEL AND THE BELLS WENT OFF. I HAD TO TRY TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE AND RESTART MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY MORE TIMES. I CAN BE GOING 25MPH OR 70MPH; I CAN HAVE THE CRUISE ON OR OFF; I CAN HAVE THE HEAT OR A/C ON OR OFF, IT DOES NOT MATTER; IN ALL CASES, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN I AM NOT EXPECTING IT.

NHTSA complaint #10608590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Pontiac Bonneville at 90,000 miles Williamstown, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT GETS VERY BAD BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I HAVE HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT, AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALL 3 HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE SHAKING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT RODS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE SHOCKS AND THE TIRES ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING IT CONSTANTLY DESTROYS MY FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WHICH I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT ALSO MAKES IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS ONE OF THE SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT ASSEMBLIES WERE SO DESTROYED FROM THE SHAKING THAT I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DID NOT FOLD UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED FOR 3 YEARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY. I HAVE ALSO READ ON CONSUMER REVIEW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR BONNEVILLE IN THE SAME YEAR (2000) AND AGAIN, NO SHOPS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE REASON BEHIND THE SHAKING. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THIS ISSUE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10496393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Pontiac Bonneville at 85,000 miles Saginaw, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE TWO GM VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITION OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. UPON RE-START OF THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL (AND /OR THROTTLE ASSEMBLY) IS STUCK AND IT REQUIRES A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL, CAUSING A RAPID CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED FROM A STOPPED CONDITION TO A VERY QUICKLY ACCELERATING VEHICLE. AFTER YOU "BREAK THROUGH" THIS FIRST "STICKING" OF THE PEDAL, THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY FUNCTIONS FINE, UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART AGAIN. VEHICLES AFFECTED ARE 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN AND 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.

NHTSA complaint #10344489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville at 110,000 miles Scitute, MA 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SPED INTO FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTAINED NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WHEN THE MECHANIC STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS STILL AT FULL THROTTLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10187429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville at 15,000 miles Greenboro, NC Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, PUT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TRIED MASHING ON THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING, THE MORE THE CONSUMER MASHED ON THE BRAKES THE FASTER THE VEHICLE WENT. VEHICLE HIT A BRICK BUILDING ON JUNE 6, 2005. CONTACTED PONTIAC, THEY SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR. THEN, THEY SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE ALLEGATION HAD NO MERIT. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED FROM THE AIR BAGS.

NHTSA complaint #10136444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Pontiac Bonneville at 16,619 miles Rochester, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

THE CONSUMERS PONTIAC 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILED 3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS TO THE SAME ABS WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY/SENOR. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR CORRODED HARNESS AND A SHORTED SENSOR, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS EXCESSIVE, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THERE WOULD BE A 4 MPH VARIATION IN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD PIVOT AND CAUSE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATE REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10111058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Pontiac Bonneville at 16,619 miles Rochester, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THE CONSUMERS PONTIAC 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILED 3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS TO THE SAME ABS WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY/SENOR. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR CORRODED HARNESS AND A SHORTED SENSOR, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS EXCESSIVE, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THERE WOULD BE A 4 MPH VARIATION IN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD PIVOT AND CAUSE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATE REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10111058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville Reno, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10087818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Pontiac Bonneville at 45,000 miles Bloomfield, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE STALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10081988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville Douglas, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

MY CAR SURGES ALL THE TIME AND THE CRUISE CONTROL GETS STUCK ON IT I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION GONE IN IT. BUT I STILL DRIVE IT I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM MYSELF. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPT OF 2002 AND IT WAS DOING IT WHEN I GOT IT. BUT IT WAS A BUY AS IS DEAL SO THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT. BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET PLACE THEY ALREADY HAD THE CAR ON FILE BUT WOULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE FILE SAID ABOUT THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10062325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville at 49,170 miles Elwood, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER BOUGHT THE BONNEVILLE IN AUGUST, SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES. THE FIRST FOUR TIMES WERE FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE AND THROTTLE BODY. THE REMAINING VISITS WERE FOR 4 FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURES, INJECTOR COIL FAILURES MELTED 4 SPARK PLUG WIRES. ALSO, WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10050974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville at 65,000 miles Somerset, KY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1998 PONTAIC BONNEVILLE SE, STANDARD V6 ENGINE, WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED THE ENGINE WILL SURGE AND LEAP FORWARD . CAR ENGINE WILL QUIT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WITHOUT ANY REASON, EVEN AT SPEED CAUSING CONTROL PROBLEMS. SUPOSEDLY RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ( PLASTIC CRACKS CAUSING VACUM PROBLEMS AND SOMETINES LOSS OF WATER). ALSO EXTERIOR PAINT STARTED TO PEAL OFF AT 70.000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10030633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Pontiac Bonneville Ramsey, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10008972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville Antelope, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AT FREEWAY SPEED (2200 RPM) VEHICLE WOULD SURGE REPEATEDLY AS IF DRIVER WAS QUICKLY PRESSING AND RELEASING GAS PEDAL. OCCASIONALLY TRANSMISSION WOULD GO INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WOULD REV TO 4000 RPM. LETTING THE CAR COAST FOR 10-15 SECONDS SEEMED TO GET THE TRANSMISSION BACK INTO OPERATION. DEALER REPORTED "FOUND FLUID BLACK (BURNED VERY BAD) RECOMMEND TO REPLACE WITH SRTA. REPLACED TRANS WITH SRTA." SO FAR NO MORE PROBLEMS AFTER DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #765110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville Euclid, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH, THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT, AND THE OIL WAS SIZZLING. DEALER INFORMED. CONSUMER SAYS THAT 6 OUT OF 6 BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT , AND 4 OUT 6 RODS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND THAT THE ENGINE & OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PREVENT INJURY OR FATALITY.*SCC

NHTSA complaint #8014088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville Euclid, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH, THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT, AND THE OIL WAS SIZZLING. DEALER INFORMED. CONSUMER SAYS THAT 6 OUT OF 6 BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT , AND 4 OUT 6 RODS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND THAT THE ENGINE & OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PREVENT INJURY OR FATALITY.*SCC

NHTSA complaint #8014088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Pontiac Bonneville Benton, AK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE IN A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE FORCEFULLY INTO TRAFFIC, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #8006287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Pontiac Bonneville Walker, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET AND WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER .

NHTSA complaint #8003575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Pontiac Bonneville problems