97 of the
2,580 complaints filed about the Pontiac Bonneville
are about the body and structure —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY
NHTSA complaint #11398467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE INTERNALLY IN THE CABLE GUIDE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD. NOT JUST FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, BUT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE CABLE IS ROUTED BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE CORE SUPPORT. TYE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD IS TO PRY IT UP DAMAGING THE HOOD, THE UPPER CORE SUPPORT, AND POSSIBLY THE CONDENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #11032225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACK TWO CRADLE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED OUT AND MOUNTS PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE FILLING AND CAUSING STEERING TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WHEN HIT BRAKES FRONT WOULD DART ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE FROM CRADLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING BUMPS TRIED THE FIND ONE IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL ARE THAT WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10713247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM SIOUX FALLS RESIDENTS HOME JULY 10 TH BUT HAVE A POLICE REPORT [XXX] BEEN SPOTTED IN MITCHELL OFF INTERSTATE 90 FIRST PARKING LOT RIGHT AFTER EXIT 90 INTO MITCHELL TANISH COLOR TRUNK HAS BUNNGIE CORD ON TRUNK SILVER SMALL SPOT ON PASSENGER SIDE PONTIAC 1998. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10622608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE UNDER BODY CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS WELDED TOGETHER INSTEAD OF REPLACED, WHICH HE ADVISED WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,231.
NHTSA complaint #10445072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ENCOUNTERING A SPEED BUMP, HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT FRAME AND ENGINE BOTH DETACHED AND WERE POSITIONED ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE RESIDENCE AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED; AND UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10375096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS JOINT WELDS BREAK LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE STARTS AND THE AIRBAG MODULE SHORTS OUT AND CAN BLOW ANYTIME THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR LOOKED INTO AFTER I SENT IN COMPLIANT NOW SOME KID RIDING IN RAIN HAD HIS BLOW OUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES AND THEY WANTED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FOR $600 ???? ARE THEY CRAZY MY WHITE PAINT ALSO PEELED BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. SO I HAVE A SHORTED OUT MODULE LEAK IN MY FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS AND A TWO COLORED CAR THEY SHOULD GO BANKRUPT.
NHTSA complaint #10349485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE REAR WINDOW MOTOR OF 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILS, IT CAUSES THE WINDOW TO LOWER EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN THE FULLY RAISED POSITION. THE WINDOW POSITION WAS NOT BEING CHANGED AT THE TIME. IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN CLUNK SOUND FROM THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, ON THE INTERSTATE WITH INFANT IN THE REAR SEAT. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A MINOR ITEM, BUT IF WE HAD BEEN IN A NORTH DAKOTA SNOW STORM, TEMP. OF 5 DEGREES AND WIND CHILLS EVEN WORSE.. THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. THE WINDOW SHOULD BE DESIGNED REMAIN IN IT'S SELECTED POSITION IN THE EVENT OF MOTOR FAILURE. THE SECOND REAR WINDOW FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST..NO BABY ON BOARD THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10273704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (3.8L) REAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AT ALL FOR BOLT POINTS CAUSING REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR CAUSING STEERING ISSUES AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. 1.) DRIVING DOWN NORMAL PAVED CITY STREET. BEGAN TURNING A CORNER. (EXTREMELY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE) 2.) FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. ANY FAILURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS IS ONE TOO MANY. 3.) NOT YET REPAIRED IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF FAILURE ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, BUT I DO NOT SEE ONE LISTED FOR THE BONNEVILLE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. THIS WAS CRITICAL ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THEN THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE BONNEVILLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10265058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (3.8L) REAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AT ALL FOR BOLT POINTS CAUSING REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR CAUSING STEERING ISSUES AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. 1.) DRIVING DOWN NORMAL PAVED CITY STREET. BEGAN TURNING A CORNER. (EXTREMELY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE) 2.) FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. ANY FAILURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS IS ONE TOO MANY. 3.) NOT YET REPAIRED IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF FAILURE ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, BUT I DO NOT SEE ONE LISTED FOR THE BONNEVILLE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. THIS WAS CRITICAL ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THEN THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE BONNEVILLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10265058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WATER PROBLEMS: 1) WATER DRAINING FROM WINDOWS INTO INTERIOR SOAKING FLOORBOARDS. THIS IS DUE TO THE RUBBER CAULKING THAT ATTACHES A PLASTIC SHEET ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS THAT DIVERTS THE WATER DOWN THE DOOR PANEL. THE CAULKING ULTIMATELY FAILS. OUT OF WARRANTY, I TOOK OFF THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL AND RE-CAULKED THE PLASTIC SHEETING WITH SILICONE. IT HAS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM, AT LEAST FOR NOW. 2) TRUNK. STILL LEAKS. HAVE UNPLUGGED THE WEEP HOLES IN THE TRUNK LID, WHICH HAS LESSENED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10258929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 BONNEVILLE: ALL 4 DOORS/WINDOWS HAVE BEEN RE-SEALED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE RAIN WATER FLOWS DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS, THEN FLOWS INSIDE THE DOOR, AND THEN FLOWS INTO THE CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR DOOR, CAUSING SOAKED CARPETING (PUDDLES) AND MOLD. SUN-ROOF MECHANICAL LINKAGE HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN OFF IN PLACES. I BET I USED THE SUN-ROOF ONLY 10 TIMES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SUNROOF NOW CLOSES CROOKED. DEALER COST ESTIMATE TO FIX = $1200. ALL 4 POWER WINDOW UNITS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW DOORS RATTLE; RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR TRIM FALLS OFF ROUTINELY. WIPER FLUID MOTOR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THESE ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10244034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1994 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. DUE TO CORROSION THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS / MOUNTING FAILED AND ENGINE FELL OUT OF CAR. LUCKILY IT WAS WHILE TURNING AROUND IN THE DRIVEWAY, IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON / AT ROAD SPEEDS THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, MULTI CAR INVOLVEMENT, INJURIES, OR LOSS OF LIFE. GM SERVICE OFFERED ZERO HELP ON RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN INFORMATION AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT OR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10239501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL WINDOWS EXCEPT DRIVERS STOPPED WORKING, ALL DOOR LOCKS EXCEPT DRIVERS STOPPED WORKING. CAR WAS STORED FOR PART OF WINTER. I PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND NOW I HAVE NO CLIMATE CONTROL. DRIVERS SIDE IS HOT, PASS IS COLD. PASS HEATED SEAT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. SUN ROOF JUST BROKE! STEERING IS MAKING LOTS OF NOISE, TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. WTF WHY NO RECALL. HOW CAN YOU PURCHASE A CAR FOR 35,000 & IT IS ?!@#$% BEFORE IT HITS 100,000? MY FORD HAS 196,000 NO PROBLEM, MY HONDA HAS 235,000 BARELY A PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED 4 PONTIACS AND NOW IM PAYING THOUSANDS TO FIX THE PIECE OF ?!@#$%! WHY IN THE ?!@#$% DO MY WINDOWS NOT WORK!! ALL OF THEM IN ONE DAY? NO DOOR LOCKS, AT ALL? SAME DAY! NOW WITH A NEW BATTERY, I HAVE 90 DEG AIR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE & 60 DEG AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. YOU TRY TO DRIVE THIS PIECE OF ?!@#$%!! NOW MY BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW JUST FELL DOWN!! I HAVE TO USE A MAGIC MARKER TO PRY & HOLD IT UP!! WE NEED A MAJOR RECALL ON THESE FAULTY VEHICLES. IM A PONTIAC FAN, BUT ILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE IF YOU CANT TRY AND FIX THIS ?!@#$%. MY CAR LOOKS LIKE NEW BUT WORKS LIKE IT WAS BUILT BY A BUNCH OF IDIOTS!! I AM EMBARRASSED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IT LOOKS BETTER THAN MOST 525 B-MIRS BUT I HAVE TO TELL ALL MY FRIENDS THAT I HAVE NO DOOR LOCKS, NO AIR, NO WINDOWS OR ANYTHING. NOTHING LIKE SITTING INSIDE A 135 DEGREE LEATHER BOUND FLAGSHIP SWEATING YOUR ?!@#$% OFF!! BY THE TIME I GET TO WORK IM A BIG BALL OF SWEAT!! PLEASE STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. IM SERIOUSLY LOOKING TO SPEND SOME OF MY MONEY TO PROMOTE A CAMPAIGN TO DO NOTHING BUT TALK ?!@#$%ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS. GET ON LINE FOR A MINUTE AND SEE HOW MANY BONNEVILLE OWNERS ARE REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE ISSUES I HAVE LISTED ABOVE! THERE ARE THOUSANDS!! TIME FOR A RECALL! DON'T U THINK? GET YOUR ?!@#$% STRAIGHT GM! MY FAMILY WORKS FOR YOU! WE BUY YOU PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10228851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1) DEFECTIVE PRIMER CAUSING WHITE EXTERIOR PAINT TO PEEL ON THE WHOLE SURFACE OF CAR 2) LEAK IN WIELD AROUND WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN POWER DOOR LOCKS AND ALSO AIRBAG MODULE UNDER DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10196349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PAINT CLEAR COAT HAS BEEN PEALING ON THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FIRST ON THE TOP, THEN ON THE HOOD, AND FENDERS. I HAVE A 1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITHOUT SUCH DAMAGE, YET HAS BEEN UNDER IDENTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #10193611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 BONNEVILLE ABS WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY SENSOR FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS ***NAR*** THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD EXPERIENCE ERRATIC BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT FRONT ASSEMBLY WAS AT 16619 MILES AND THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AT 55030 MILES. THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK RELEASE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMMUNICATION LINK AND TRUNK RELEASE FUSE. THE FRONT TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS WORN CAUSED EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT TRANSMISSION MOUNT.
NHTSA complaint #10172233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRUNK AREA LEAKS AND WATER BUILDS UP IN THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE. CLANKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING EITHER DIRECTION DURING COLDER WEATHER. FRONT DRIVERS SEAT HEATER WORKED THEN QUIT FOR NO REASON, PUSH BUTTON ON & LIGHT COMES ON BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. WIPERS WHILE IN INTERMITTENT WILL STOP DURING A SWEEP ACROSS WINDSHIELD, WHEN TURNED ON OR OFF ALSO TURNS ON/OFF THE DASH LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME, AND WHILE IN INTERMITTENT IF BLINKER IS USED THE WIPER WILL STOP DURING A SWEEP ACROSS WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10171169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY NEPHEW WAS DRIVING HIS 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY. AT THAT TIME, THE REAR BODY TO SUBFRAME MOUNTS FAILED, AS THE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE MILD STEEL RETAINER DISKS THAT HAD BEEN WEAKENED BY RUST CAUSED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OUT OF ITS SOCKET. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT A WEAKENED MOUNT RETAINER DISK MIGHT FAIL UNDER VEHICLE ACCELERATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES, WHICH APPEARED TO BE MADE OF MILD STEEL. THE SHAPE OF THE PART IS SUCH THAT IT SEEMS LIKELY WATER AND ROAD SALT WOULD COLLECT AND WEAKEN THE PART. STAINLESS OR ANOTHER ALLOY MIGHT BE A BETTER CHOICE.
NHTSA complaint #10163519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.