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2003 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports5 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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 but you still have current going through the switch or the fuel they fuel I'll pro…

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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 but you still have current going through the switch or the fuel they fuel I'll probably leaking into the tank it doesn't start but still sending fuel the oil has excessive amount of liquid in it so does transmission I bought it used the guy goes you know I lost the key go in and remove it I started without the key you know or something like that and I said well here's I got the chamber and I will get it anyway I don't want to deal with this take your car around it took that he sold a mindful but it took the Kelly converter around he didn't tell me about it he asked who did it well he was the city I guess a city bought this car now they're trying to sell it I work clean the electrical Transit system to get a car doesn't work just take it just get it out of it I'm going to be blunt with you just get this XXX car off the property please thank you the XXX had no gas now it shows a full tank of gas just trying to blow me up at this XXX or what just get the XXX out my property man thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11750406

81,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICE IT BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO USE AND RPM'S GO DOWN TO ZERO AND CAR HAS SHUT OFF. IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN A REAL PROBLEM. DEALER TESTED CAR AND SAID IT WAS A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. CAM SENSOR REPLACED TOO. THI…

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MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICE IT BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO USE AND RPM'S GO DOWN TO ZERO AND CAR HAS SHUT OFF. IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN A REAL PROBLEM. DEALER TESTED CAR AND SAID IT WAS A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. CAM SENSOR REPLACED TOO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO. NOW THE CAR STILL SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, BUT ALSO IT TAKES 2 TO 3 TIMES TO RESTART. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. IT IS AUGUST 2015 AND I NEED THIS CAR. IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #10748603

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2014
Electrical System

PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2003, CAR WOULD JUST TURN OFF WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS TURNING OFF AT FIRST, WE JUST THOUGHT THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE BECOMING HARD TO WORK. WE WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. *JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649164

97,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF FAILED TO OPERATE, BOTH SIDE MIRRORS WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED A WHISTLING NOISE ACTIVATED THAT WOULD LAST FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED UNKNOWN PARTS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643528

143,875 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE KEY FROM TURNING TO START THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE SECURITY SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE KEY FROM TURNING TO START THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE SECURITY SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN SECURITY MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,875.

NHTSA ODI #10617157

7,300 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

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. ON 12/13/13 MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW OPERATOR FAILED AND I SHARED THE COST OF THE REPA…

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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. ON 12/13/13 MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW OPERATOR FAILED AND I SHARED THE COST OF THE REPAIR WITH GM. NOW ON 1/19/14 MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW OPERATOR HAS FAILED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 7300 MILES ON IT AND IN MY ESTIMATION SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560775

57,420 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Electrical System

2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI ACDELCO BATTERY LEAKING ACID ONTO FLOOR PAN, EATING THROUGH THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 8/7/2009. LOOKED FOR THE BATTERY ON 8/12/2009 AND NOTICED A SMELL IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID ALL OVER THE FLOORS, SHEET METAL …

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2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI ACDELCO BATTERY LEAKING ACID ONTO FLOOR PAN, EATING THROUGH THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 8/7/2009. LOOKED FOR THE BATTERY ON 8/12/2009 AND NOTICED A SMELL IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID ALL OVER THE FLOORS, SHEET METAL AND SEAT CUSHION. THE ACID OPENED A 4" DIA HOLE SO FAR WHILE THE RUST AND ACID ARE CONSUMING THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE BATTERY. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR A FEW REASONS. 1) ACID EATS THE FLOOR AND ALLOWS THE BACK, SEAT PASSENGER VULNERABLE TO ROAD DEBRIS, POTENTIALLY FALLING THROUGH THE FLOOR, ETC. 2) THE ACID EATS THE FLOOR CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FALL THROUGH THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, INCLUDING DAMAGE TO THE CURRENT VEHICLE. 3) AS THE BATTERY FALLS THROUGH THE FLOOR, DANGLING FROM THE CAR, SCRAPPING ON THE ROAD COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE RISK TO FUEL TANK, PASSENGER AND/OR VEHICLE ITSELF. A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281287

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS BEFORE GOING OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEAT/AC HAD MELTED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE! THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. A …

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I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS BEFORE GOING OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEAT/AC HAD MELTED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE! THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. A VERY QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH PONTIAC BUT MANY GM CARS AND TRUCKS. SOUNDS LIKE GM HAS INSTALLED INADEQUATE WIRING AND ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS SUBSTANDARD WIRING SHOULD BE RECALLED AND WIRING REPLACED. THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED LOSS DUE TO THIS SUBSTANDARD WIRING SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR GM'S FAILURE TO INSTALL WIRE OF SUFFICIENT GAUGE TO HANDLE THE LOAD OF THE BLOWER MOTOR. I AM GOING TO ASK FOR THE OLD WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272564

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

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 IMMEDIAT…

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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 CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND INSISTED THAT THE CONSUMER CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, COPIES OF THEIR NTSB, AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10033928

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002
Electrical System

DASH GUAGES ARE HARD TO READ IN SUNLIGHT DUE TO THEIR BACKLIGHT DESIGN AND LACK OF CONTRAST WITH THE GUAGE BACKGROUND. IN SUNLIGHT WITH SUNGLASSES ON THE BECOME NEARLY IMPOSIBLE TO READ. ALSO, THE SENSOR THAT TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IN THE PROCESS DIMS THE LIGHTS FURTHER (MAKING THE DASH APPEAR BLACK WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSE…

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DASH GUAGES ARE HARD TO READ IN SUNLIGHT DUE TO THEIR BACKLIGHT DESIGN AND LACK OF CONTRAST WITH THE GUAGE BACKGROUND. IN SUNLIGHT WITH SUNGLASSES ON THE BECOME NEARLY IMPOSIBLE TO READ. ALSO, THE SENSOR THAT TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IN THE PROCESS DIMS THE LIGHTS FURTHER (MAKING THE DASH APPEAR BLACK WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES) IS POORLY PLACED AND OFTEN IS ACTIVATED ON SUNNY DAYS IF THE SUN IS ON THE DRIVE SIDE OF THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764477

Official recalls

2

03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.