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2003 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

What owners actually said

54 reports
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

101,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Unknown Or Other

PASSENGER CONTROL ARM IS BAD

NHTSA ODI #11374826

113,600 miles · Feb 12, 2018
EngineFire

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. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (WHEELERS CHEVROLET OF MEDFORD, 704 N 8TH ST, MEDFORD, WI 54461) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFAC…

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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. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (WHEELERS CHEVROLET OF MEDFORD, 704 N 8TH ST, MEDFORD, WI 54461) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,600.

NHTSA ODI #11072386

130,000 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Power Train

WITH THE KEY TURNED TO ACC YOU CAN PULL THE CAR OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITH THE KEY TURNED TO RUN YOU MUST DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. CAR IS NOT RUNNING. ALSO CHECKED 3 OTHER PONTIAC BONNEVILLE'S. ONE IS A 2002 VIN # [XXX]. THEY ALL SHOWED THE SAME OPERATING CHARACTERIST…

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WITH THE KEY TURNED TO ACC YOU CAN PULL THE CAR OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITH THE KEY TURNED TO RUN YOU MUST DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. CAR IS NOT RUNNING. ALSO CHECKED 3 OTHER PONTIAC BONNEVILLE'S. ONE IS A 2002 VIN # [XXX]. THEY ALL SHOWED THE SAME OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10971710

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2003, HAVE HAD 5 DIFFERENT SERVICE TECHS, INCLUDING DEALER LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX OR FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10863305

30,000 miles · Mar 20, 2016
Unknown Or Other

BURNT SMELL AFTER RUNNING CAR. SERVICEMAN CHECKED AND OIL WAS LEAKING. NEED NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AS LEAKING ON MANIFOLD WILL CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10850624

75,000 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM ITS PARKED LOCATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING DIMINISHED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM ITS PARKED LOCATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING DIMINISHED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/16/16*JB

NHTSA ODI #10825808

70,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Engine

LEAKING OIL, SAME ENGINE AS OTHER CARS IN RECENT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10809488

100,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Engine

THE CAR I DRIVE (3.8 LITER SIX CYLINDER) HAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE LEFT VALVE COVER. AFTER I COME TO A STOP OR MAKE A LEFT TURN, I SMELL OIL FUMES AND CAN SEE A LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE CURRENT RECALL FOR CARS MADE BEFORE AND AFTER MY CAR. HOW DO I GET MY CAR ON LIST OF …

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THE CAR I DRIVE (3.8 LITER SIX CYLINDER) HAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE LEFT VALVE COVER. AFTER I COME TO A STOP OR MAKE A LEFT TURN, I SMELL OIL FUMES AND CAN SEE A LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE CURRENT RECALL FOR CARS MADE BEFORE AND AFTER MY CAR. HOW DO I GET MY CAR ON LIST OF RECALLS FOR REPAIR?

NHTSA ODI #10786884

160,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA

NHTSA ODI #10776535

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.