Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
825–50K
650–75K
975–100K
8100–150K
4150K+
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
35,900 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SOMETIMES GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. SOMETIMES IT FEELS MUSHY WITH A FLUID FEELING PEDAL PUSH BACK. A CLICK NOISE HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED. IT IS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE STOP FEELS UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS THE CAR HAS 36,600 MILES. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 2006 THE DEALERSHIP CO…
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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SOMETIMES GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. SOMETIMES IT FEELS MUSHY WITH A FLUID FEELING PEDAL PUSH BACK. A CLICK NOISE HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED. IT IS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE STOP FEELS UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS THE CAR HAS 36,600 MILES. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 2006 THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO GO AWAY FOR A WHILE BUT HAS RETURNED (WORSE THAN BEFORE) IN LATE JANUARY 2007. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183894
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2006
Steering
WHEN TURNING FROM A STOP SIGN OR SIDE STREET THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL THE SECOND TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN I WAS TOLD THEY WILL LOOK AT IT. THEY REPLACED A PART BECAUSE THERE WAS MORE PLAY THEN THERE SHOULD BE. BUT THEN TOLD ME IT WAS STILL NORMAL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171557
47,000 miles · Oct 17, 2006
Air Bags
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO FOUND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE AIRBAGS, #02V222000. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10171119
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2006
Steering
2003 BONNEVILLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. MECHANIC REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A NORMAL FIX, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10164746
10,000 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON A SIDE STREET THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER AND A NOISE CAME FROM THE RACK AND PINION AREA. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE DIFFICULT STEERING OR NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED POWER STEERING FLUID SEEPING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE V…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON A SIDE STREET THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER AND A NOISE CAME FROM THE RACK AND PINION AREA. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE DIFFICULT STEERING OR NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED POWER STEERING FLUID SEEPING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTIONS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SEEPAGE WAS NORMAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10146743
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2004
Tires
FIRESTONE TIRE AFFINITY TOURING T2 P225/60R16 97 T M +S DD4100 T04L DOT W2X0 AAC 3402--THE SIDEWALL OF THIS TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT AT SPEED OF APPROX. 60-65 MPR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, APPOX. 32,000. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE USED BY US 3 MONTHS AGO...ASSUME THE TIRE WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS …
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FIRESTONE TIRE AFFINITY TOURING T2 P225/60R16 97 T M +S DD4100 T04L DOT W2X0 AAC 3402--THE SIDEWALL OF THIS TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT AT SPEED OF APPROX. 60-65 MPR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, APPOX. 32,000. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE USED BY US 3 MONTHS AGO...ASSUME THE TIRE WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NEW. WE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AT APPOX. 31,250 MILES WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THIS TIRE WAS ON THE BACK WHEN IT BLEW; LUCKILY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT IF WE HAD LEFT THIS TIRE ON THE FRONT IT COULD HAVE CREATED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10086912
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle 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 CONSU…
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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 ODI #10087818
29,000 miles · Jan 29, 2004
SeatsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD. UPON IMPACT THE CHILD IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT WITH SEAT BELT ON FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE PLASTIC CONSOLE BETWEEN BOTH FRONT SEATS AND SPLIT OPEN THE FOREHEAD. CONSUMER FELT THAT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE CONSOLE IT POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZA…
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VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD. UPON IMPACT THE CHILD IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT WITH SEAT BELT ON FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE PLASTIC CONSOLE BETWEEN BOTH FRONT SEATS AND SPLIT OPEN THE FOREHEAD. CONSUMER FELT THAT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE CONSOLE IT POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056069
72,000 miles · Oct 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLENUM INTAKE VALVE & GASKET REPLACED IN APRIL 2003 AND AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2003. NOW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME THEY STOCK THESE PARTS DUE TO FREQUENT DEMAND FOR THEM. THIS IS MY 2ND PONTIAC AND I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BONNEVILLE. MY 2 PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE OVER $900 AND NOW I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE A…
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PLENUM INTAKE VALVE & GASKET REPLACED IN APRIL 2003 AND AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2003. NOW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME THEY STOCK THESE PARTS DUE TO FREQUENT DEMAND FOR THEM. THIS IS MY 2ND PONTIAC AND I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BONNEVILLE. MY 2 PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE OVER $900 AND NOW I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS AWAITING REPAIR AT DEAN ARBOUR CHEVROLET IN EAST TAWAS, MI. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043585
300 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Power Train
WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ACC POSITION, THE SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED OUT OF PARK ALTHOUGH THE DRIVERS FOOT WAS NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY.*AK *SCC *NLM
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.
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.
2003 Pontiac Bonneville Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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