2001 Pontiac Bonneville

High concern

Owners filed 129 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. No safety recall has been issued.

Avoid One of the Pontiac Bonneville years to avoid: an unusual share of fires, crashes and deaths for a car of its age. Which Pontiac Bonneville years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
67,500 milesMedian miles at failure

91 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2001 Pontiac Bonneville problems

27 of the 129 complaints (21%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine11
140
Steering9
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission9
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system7
040
Engine7
041
Electrical System7
053
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls6
000
Air Bags · airbags6
403
Steering › Column5
000
Power Train · transmission4
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 19, 2020191,600 milesTX

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BACK IN JANUARY 2020 UNDER THE HOOD ON MY WAY TO WORK THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE VALE COVER GASKETS AND NOW OIL IS LEAKING ON THE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND GAS IS MIXING WITH THE OIL AND I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR ANYMORE HELP ME PLEASE.

Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2020264,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER CAUSING A MISFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FUMES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED EYE IRRITATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS, CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE ENGINE, SEAT BELT, AND AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE FUEL READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG RETAINER AND VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 264,000.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 21, 2019IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND PRODUCED A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 9, 2019178,000 milesMO

MY SON WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND HIS AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 201794,000 milesOH

VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAKING OIL CAN GET ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2016131,000 milesFL

STEEL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. BRAKE FLUID LEAKS

EngineFire
Filed Oct 27, 2015100,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 1, 2015150,000 milesWA

I HAD LEFT MY LIGHTS ON AND BATTERY WENT DEAD. WENT TO JUMP THE VEHICLE AND CHARGE THE BATTERY. CABLES CONNECTED CORRECTLY. WHEN I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE LIKE A BACK FIRE BUT SAW A FLAME THEN SMOKE OUT OF ENGINE. THE ENGINE HOOD WAS CLOSED SINCE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL OR A SERIOUS INJURY. THE FLAME MUST HAVE BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY THE FLUIDS? WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD AFTER A SHORT PERIOD, WE FOUND THAT THEIR WAS SOME TYPE OF EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN MY DRIVEWAY

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 11, 2015100 milesWI

I JUST CURRENTLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH WHEN I GOT NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING WAS ON A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING THAT MY TRACK IS OFF ALSO WHEN I TRY TO GO OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHAKES REALLY BAD I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT AND IT HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES WHEN I TOOK IT THERE.

Steering
Filed Feb 4, 2015114,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 20, 2014MI

MY SON WAS THE PASSENGER IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND HIS EYEBALL WAS SEVERED BY THE AIRBAG. MY SON RECEIVED HIS PROSTHETIC EYE FOR HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 15, 201425,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND REPAIRED. THE TYPE OF REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 201484,423 milesPA

CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHEN SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT AND WILL NOT RESTART. HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER ONLY TO FIND AFTER SITTING IT FIRES RIGHT UP AND THE COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEM. IT HAS ON 1 OCCASION SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, BUT AFTER PULLING IN NEUTRAL IT DID RESTART. IT IS STILL SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY DRIVE IT SHUTS OFF THEY GET IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND IT RESTARTS AND IS FINE PER COMPUTER. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Feb 20, 201486,700 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ASSISTED WITH EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL LINE, MASTER CYLINDER, ALTERNATOR, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, COOLANT RESERVOIR, ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,700.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 14, 2014136,000 milesPA

WE HAD A LOT OF SNOW AND I LIVE ON A SLIGHT HILL. WENT TO START THE CAR THAT WAS COVERED IN SNOW TO MOVE THE CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET FACING DOWN HILL. I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND HEARD IT POP OR BACKFIRE WHICH IT HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE. I TRIED AGAIN TO START THE CAR AND NOW IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD (WHICH I KNEW IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN). THE NEXT THING I KNEW, A NEIGHBOR RIPPED OPEN MY DRIVER DOOR AND WAS PULLING ME OUT OF THE CAR SAYING "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". MY NEIGHBORS CALLED 911 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED! I AM FORTUNATE THAT THE NEIGHBORS HEARD THE POP, CAME OUTSIDE, SAW THE FLAMES UNDER THE CAR, AND I WAS NOT HURT. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE CAR PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! STILL UNBELIEVABLE AND VERY FRIGHTENING! *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 30, 2014180,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER TO HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 3, 2013166,000 milesMI

WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT SHUTS DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 20 MINS BEFORE IT STARTS BACK UP AND SOMETIMES IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 30, 2013137,000 milesIN

GAS FUMES COMING INTO THE CAR. *TR

Engine1 injured
Filed Dec 20, 2012111,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE IN THE EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRE DEPARTMENT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THEIR MACHINES DID NOT DETECT ANY CARBON MONOXIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLDER THE WEATHER, THE WORSE THE ODOR WOULD BECOME. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT AND ANYONE WHO ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO SUFFER FROM HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Mar 27, 2012174,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WOULD SEEP INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC AND DEALER WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Electrical SystemFire3 injured
Filed Oct 29, 2011197,313 milesLA

ON OCTOBER 27,2011 I CAME ON FROM WORK AROUND 7:00 PM TURN MY CAR OF AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. I HEARD SOME ONE BAMMING ON THE BACK DOOR , I OPEN THE DOOR AND A GUY SAID THAT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE HE ASKED IF I HAD ANY ON ELSE IN THE HOUSE I TOLD HIM YES SO I GO INSIDE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT THE HOUSE. THAT IS WHEN I SAW THE SAME GUY WHO WAS KNOCK ON THE DOOR USE MY HOSE PIPE SPRAYING WATER ON THE CAR. AT THAT TIME I CALLED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THEY ADVISE ME THAT THE PLAQUEMINE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THERE WAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE REST OF THE FIRE OUT. ONE OF THE FIRE FIGHTER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2010110,000 milesCA

STEERING SHAFT ON MY 2001 BONNEVILLE SSEI MAKING GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. THE SOUND IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS BELOW 20 MPH. I HAVE HEAD FROM OTHER BONNEVILLE OWNERS THIS IS AN ONGOING EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT SEEMS TO BE FLAWED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 201072,154 milesTN

MY 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT STARTS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T YOU MAY HAVE TO SIT THERE OVER FIVE MINUTES TURNING KEY ON AND OFF AND FINALLY IT WILL START SOMETIMES TAKING UP TO 10 TRIES BEFORE IT STARTS OTHER TIMES IT WILL START AFTER 2 I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIGHWAYS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL JUST TURN OFF IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AGAIN HOWEVER DOING THIS AT THE WRONG TIME AND CERTAIN DISASTER WILL ARRIVE EITHER ANOTHER CAR HITTING ME WHILE I AM SITTING STILL OR MANY WRECKS BEING CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Nov 9, 201052,000 milesME

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS JUST DRIVING TO WORK I WENT TO LOWER THE REAR WINDOW HEARD A NOISE AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. I TRIED TO SHUT IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK AND I ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WITH MY BABY GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE WINDOW ON THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. DIFFERENCE HERE IT WAS A COLD DAY IN MAINE AND MY 16 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. TRIED TO GET IT CLOSED BUT IT WOULD FALL RIGHT BACK DOWN. I HAD TO GET THE PARENTS TO COME GET THE BABY BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO COLD FOR ME TO DRIVE HER HOME WITH THE WIND COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW I NOW HAVE 62,331 MILES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, ALL 2001 BONNEVILLES SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND HAVE THE WINDOWS FIXED.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed May 16, 2010120,000 milesNY

BATTERY DEAD, CHARGED THE CAR, STARTED IT UP...THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE(PLENUM). INS AGENT SAID IT WAS THE PLENUM AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. GM IS LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT!!!! *TR

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jan 28, 201094,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE "BATTERY" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES CONTINUED AND THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 18, 200993,767 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN, AND SEVERAL PIPING COMPONENTS AT THE COST OF $1,400. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK COOLANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT A COOLANT ELBOW PIPE HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF PLACE, WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE FOR THE SECOND TIME AT THE COST OF $10, DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INITIAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,767 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 105,000. UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF THE FRONT PASSENGER ELECTRIC WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB

Visibility
Filed Jun 13, 200965,000 milesFL

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. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 12, 200981,821 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 3.8 V6 GM ENGINES. AT THE TIME, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 ONLY APPLIED TO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S, NOT BONNEVILLES. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. SHE FEELS THAT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,821. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Apr 20, 2009120,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS RUPTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXLCUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 5/7/09 *CN UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 20, 2009141,000 milesFL

DROVE VEHICLE FOR 25 MILES FROM WORK TO DAY-CARE FACILITY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. DROVE UNDER VARIOUS SPEEDS. PARKED CAR AND WENT INTO PICK UP DAUGHTER CAME BACK OUT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND VALVE COVER AREA. FIRE WAS SPREADING TO PLUG WIRES, PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AND THE WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 9, 2008AZ

2001 BONNEVILLE SSEI 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE IDENTICAL TO ENGINES IN RECALL NUMBER EA07008. STRONG BURNING SMELL. VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN GASKET, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ALL LEAKING! OIL IS LEAKING INTO AND CONTAMINATING ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM! WHY ISN'T THIS MODEL INCLUDED IN EA07008 RECALL? YOUR WEBSITE DOESN'T EVEN LIST BONNEVILLES FOR 2001. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND!!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 29, 2008156,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUCK THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE ROLLED THREE FEET. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHENEVER THE SHIFTER MOVES OUT OF GEAR, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHETHER THE ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 156,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 7, 200897,619 milesCO

AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, WAS ADVISED THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS WITHIN MANUFACTURE STANDARDS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THUS WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND 542.00 TO HAVE A DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG REPLACED? *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 30, 2008103,000 milesAR

1. RAW SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR INTERMITTENTLY. 2. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM PLASTIC LINE NEAR FUEL TANK ACCESS PORT ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. 3. NOT YET REPAIRED. TRYING TO FIND HOW TO REPAIR MYSELF. NO KNOWN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed May 29, 2008IN

ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE SECOND TIME, JUMP START, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

Visibility
Filed May 25, 200888,526 milesMI

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 LOO

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed May 4, 2008105,367 milesWV

WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE RAMP WHERE I LIVE (I-64/NITRO, WV) I HEARD A "POP" SOUND, THEN NOTICED AN ORANGE FLAME COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER. AT THIS POINT, I BRAKED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT LOST ALL BRAKES. (BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR) NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME, AND I WAS ABLE TO ROLL INTO AN INTERSECTION WHERE A TRUCK DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR! *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 18, 200886,500 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR SIMILAR TO BURNING OIL OR SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,500.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 15, 2008100,000 milesMN

REF NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA07008, WHY DOESN'T IT INCLUDE 2001 BONNEVILLE SSEI ,I DO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE GRAND PRIX AND THE REGAL GS. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 15, 2008ME

I HAD GONE TO A STORE, THE CAR RAN NORMAL. I WAS ON MY WAY BACK WHEN I MET A MAN FLASHING HIS LIGHTS AND WAVING HIS ARMS COMING TOWARD ME. I STOPPED AND HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY MOTOR. I GOT OUT AND WITHIN 2 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED AND TOTALLED. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 25, 200875,000 milesNC

ON MY 2001 BONNEVILLE 3 OF MY 4 WINDOWS HAVE DROPPED AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND NOW NEED SERVICE SO I CAN TAKE THE TAPE OFF OF THEM. I HAVE SEEN MORE THAN A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND SEEN A FREQUENT NUMBER OF BONNEVILLES WITH TAPE ON THEM IN MY TOWN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Dec 30, 200789,895 milesFL

I ATTEMPTED TO START MY 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A LOAD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SPLIT WIDE OPEN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light1 injured
Filed Dec 12, 2007PA

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAIN ON 90% OF THE TIME I AM DRIVING. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY ON TWO OCCASIONS HAD THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY $450.00. THAT IS WHAT THE COMPUTER CODES INDICATED. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT THEN IT RETURNED. THE LAST TIME THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR THREE HOURS. THIS DISABLES ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS FROM OPERATING. IT IS PROBABLY A SHORT CIRCUIT OR BRAKE SENSOR PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A PONTIAC, GOVERNMENT-MANDATED RECALL TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Nov 26, 200770,000 milesFL

JUMPED VEHICLE DUE TO DEAD BATTERY,WHEN KEY WAS TURNED ENGINE BACKFIRE SOUND AND BLEW UP. INTAKE EXPLODED PARTS OF ENGINE THROWN EVERY WHERE. ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 18, 200752,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AT 52,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PULLED OUT AND LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE FAILURE. AT 67,000 MILES, THE GRINDING NOISE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AT 78,000 MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO MAKE ANY MORE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 12, 200741,573 milesPA

RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ON MY 2001 BONNEVILLE: JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY BONNEVILLE FROM WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A 2001 BONNIE AND THIS ISSUE SHOWED UP IN 2005 AT ONLY 28000 MILES ( REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ). THIS ISSUE APPEARED AGAIN AT 41,500 MILES. I HAD JUST PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER IT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY REMOVE THE SHAFT AND REGREASE IT . I ASKED IF THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS NOT. MY QUESTION IS WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND AM I IN ANY DANGER DRIVING THIS CAR? *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Jul 2, 200770,000 milesGA

2001 PONTIAC BACKFIRED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS CLEANING MY CAR WITH RADIO ON THAT KILLED MY BATTERY. I HAVE ONSTAR SO I CALLED FOR JUMP. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME OUT TO JUMP MY CAR. HE JUMPED PROPERLY. WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. ENGINE NEVER STARTED. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Mar 20, 200775,790 milesTN

I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. THE CAR HAS 75,796 MILES ON IT AS OF TODAY. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON LATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND AFTER PAYING $84.19 FOR A TEST TO BE RUN ON THE SYSTEM THEY TOLD ME THE FOLLOWING. THE CLOCKSPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $257.48 PLUS TAX. IF THIS DID NOT TURN OFF THE SENSOR THEN THE AIR BAG ITSELF WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT AN ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED COST OF $887.04. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I FEEL THAT PARTS AS SIGNIFICANT AS THESE SENSORS SHOULD HAVE UNLIMITED WARRANTY, AND MORE INFORMATION RELAYED TO THE CONSUMER. IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF CARS ON THE ROAD TODAY WITH THAT LIGHT ON WHO ARE UNAWARE THAT THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 8, 200731 milesVA

I HAVE HAD A STEERING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2001 BONNEVILLE SE. I HAVE A DOCUMENT ID #01-02-32-001A THAT STATES 2000-2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS A CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL ROTATION (LUBRICATE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT). AFTER MONTHS OF GETTING A RUN-AROUND DUKE PONTIAC IN SUFFOLK VA FINALLY DIAGNOSED MY PROBLEM AND LUBRICATED THE SHAFT ON 03/01/02. THE NOISE STOPPED FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. IT NOW FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO CONTROL AT LOW OR HIGHER SPEEDS. I WAS ADVISED BY PERRY BUICK -PONTIAC 10/05/06 THAT THE NOISE I'M HEARING IS FROM THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I ALSO EXPERIENCED LOW FLUID LEVELS THAT WAS DETECTED ON 8-16-05 WHEN I GOT AN OIL CHANGE FROM TUNE UP PLUS. I THEN WENT TO PERRY BUICK-PONTIAC AND WAS CHARGED $376.62 TO REPLACE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE WORK ORDER WAS NOTED THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A NOTICE IN 2003 THAT PERTAINS TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD TO THROTTLE BOBY GASKET. IT STATES THAT THE CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOW ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND HIGHER ENGINE TEMPERATURE. I FEEL THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BECAUSE I STILL OWN THE CAR AND AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS A THREAT TO MY SAFETY AND TO THOSE WHO RIDE WITH ME. I ALSO FEEL THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD REIMBURSED ME THE $376.62 THAT I PAID 8-18-05 TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD REPLACED. I ALSO HAD A FUEL LEAK OCT 5,2

Complaints 1-50 of 129, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200527010Routine
200428010Routine
200354250Routine
200289230Routine
2001 — this page1290200High concern
20002142210High concern
1999143490Routine
19982772280High concern
19971472160Routine
1996150370Routine
1995244140Above average
199488090Routine
19931381110Routine
1992113350Routine
199122210Routine
199039110Routine

Compare every Bonneville year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.