2001 Pontiac Bonneville complaints

BOTH REAR WINDOWS ON MY PONTIAC BONNEVILLE FELL DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRST ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE SECOND THIS FALL. WE HAVE NO CHILDREN SO NO ONE EVER USED THE REAR WINDOWS. I WIRED THEM UP TEMPORARILY. I LIVE IN A COLD CLIMATE. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO THE FRONT WINDOWS DURING THE WINTER WHILE ON A LONG TRIP WE COULD FREEZE TO DEATH. WE HAVE READ OF OTHER FAILURES OF WINDOWS WITH BONNEVILLES, I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR. *JB

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, AIRBAG SENSOR FRONT, STEERING NOISE 4TH TIME, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOISY. *JB

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. *NM

I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE "CHECK STABILITY SYSTEM" WARNING AND A "CLUNKING" NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT AREA. IT MAKES NOISE PRIMARILY IN A TURN OR GOING OVER A BUMP. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING/ASSEMBLY REPLACED AS WELL. THE LAST MECHANIC WAS PUZZLED AND FRUSTRATED AT THE FACT THAT HE CANNOT FIGURE OUR WHAT IS MAKING THE NOISE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER. GM WONDERS WHY THEIR SALES A SLACKING....MAYBE THEY SHOULD TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. MAKES ME THINK I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA..... *JB

BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN DOWN (AT SEPARATE TIMES) WITHOUT OPERATION BY DRIVER/PASSENGER. APPROXIMATE COST OF REGULATOR/INSTALLATION FOR REPAIR = $350-400 EACH. FIRST INCIDENT (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) OCCURRED, AND I TAPED UP WINDOW PENDING REPAIRS. TAPE CAME LOOSE, AND WINDOW FELL DOWN AGAIN DURING RAINSTORM. I WAS ALONE IN CAR, AND HAD TO TRY TO FIND LOCATION ON HIGHWAY TO ATTEMPT TO GET WINDOW BACK UP. SAFETY ISSUE WITH BEING ON SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY DURING TORRENTIAL RAINFALL. WINDOW IS STILL TAPED BECAUSE ONCE THE SECOND WINDOW FELL, COST BECAME TOO PROHIBITIVE TO FIX AT THIS TIME. SECOND INCIDENT (REAR DRIVER SIDE) OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS AFTER FIRST INCIDENT. GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE IN REAR SEAT, (WINDOW LOCKS WERE ON BECAUSE 1ST WINDOW HAD ALREADY FALLEN), GRANDDAUGHTER GAVE SMALL SCREAM OF FRIGHT WHEN WINDOW FELL, SURPRISING MY HUSBAND (DRIVER), CAUSING HIM TO JERK WHEEL IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE HER SCREAM CAUGHT HIM OFF-GUARD AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. SECOND WINDOW IS STILL TAPED. SAFETY ISSUES WITH CHILDREN IN REAR SEAT AND WINDOW DOWN, WITH NO WAY OF PUTTING IT BACK UP AT THAT TIME; PLUS, THE UNEXPECTED FRIGHT TO DRIVER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWO YEARS AGO THE STEERING BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD FAILED WHICH INTERFERED WITH THE STEERING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHAFT, AND EXPLAINED IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR THIS PART TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE SAME PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. UPDATED 05/30/2006. *AK

TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY FAILED AFTER MAKING A LOUD "BANG" WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 10,100 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TRUSS BEARINGS BROKE APART CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *JB

DAD: 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS COMPUTERIZED AND WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN DRIVING THE SWITCH FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF. THIS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 AND HAD THE SWITCH CHANGED AND THE KEY REPROGRAMMED. HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. THERE WERE SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETINS AND THE DOCUMENTS; 686736 AND 760683 FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2000. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND IT COST *AK $550 TO BE FIXED. *AK

WE OWN A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. IT HAS HAD TO HAVE A NEW FAN MOTOR, NEW MANIFOLD. AND IN DEC 2003 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION, IN DEC 2004 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION. AND NOW IT IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AGAIN. IN READING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH PONTIAC OVER THE RACK AND PINION ISSUE. THEY NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

DT: VEHICLE HAD A BATTERY LEAKAGE PROBLEM . IT WAS LEAKING FOR SOMETIME. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT AROUND THE POSITIVE POST. THE BATTERY ACID LEAKED AND ATE THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN. THE EXHAUST IS RIGHT UNDER THE BATTERY. NOTICED THIS ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2005. WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THAT HOW NOTICED IT. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY IN THIS CAR SITS DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR PAN NOT ON A BATTERY TRAY. *NM

REAR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BOTH FAILED, ALLOWING THE REAR WINDOWS TO DROP AND CANNOT BE RAISED. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE REGULATORS ($350.00 EACH). BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE REGULATORS HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A WELL KNOW (BOTH BY OWNERS AND BY GM) PROBLEM ON PONTIAC BONNEVILLES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THE REAR WINDOWS DO NOT RAISE, THEY POSE A RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE REAR (ESPECIALLY CHILDREN), WHO CAN BE HIT BY DEBRIS ENTERING THE WINDOWS, COLD AIR IN THE WINTER, OR CHILDREN PUTTING ARMS OR HEAD OUT AND BEING INJURED.*JB

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN IN IT'S WINDOW SLOT HALFWAY WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE DRIVER HEARD AIR AND WIND COMING INTO VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER WINDOW HAD OPENED HALFWAY BY ITSELF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR WHICH FAILED. AFTERWARDS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW HAS FAILED AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP BY ITSELF WITHOUT MANUALLY HELPING TO MANEUVER IT BACK UP. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. THE SECOND FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AS OF YET. *NM

OCT. 6,2002 WAS FIRST TRIP TO DEALER REPORTING CLUNK IN STEERING WHEN TURNING, MILEAGE 22,346. DIAG. NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT R & R AND LUBBED SHAFT. NOV. 14, 2003 SECOND TRIP TO DEALER FOR NOISE IN STEERING, MILEAGE 35,423. NOISEY SLIP JOINT R&R INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND LUBE AS PER BULLETIN #1-02-32-001C E7700A 1.2. THESE WERE BOTH COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. JUNE 2, 2005 RETURNED FOR A THIRD TIME TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING. WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED AT 57,632 MILES. I WAS TOLD WHEN I SET THE APPT. THIS WOULD BE AT NO COST TO LUBE AGAIN, BECAUSE OF MY TWO OTHER OCCURRENCES. AFTER SPENDING AN HOUR AT THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD I COULD EITHER HAVE THE SHAFT LUBED AGAIN AT A COST TO ME OF $120.00 OR I COULD HAVE IT REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $260.00. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN SO LONG SINCE THE LAST OCCURRENCE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL OFFER.

TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY FAILED AFTER MAKING A LOUD "BANG" WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 24,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TRUST BEARINGS BROKE APART.

WHILE AT AN IDLE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SHIFT GEARS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ONCE THE VEHICLE HAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE TRUST BEARINGS BROKE APART AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. *AK

MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR TO LET IT WARM UP WHILE IT WARMED UP SHE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET THE KIDS AS SHE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE SHE HEARD A BOOM THINKING IT WAS A RADIATOR HOSE SHE STARTED TO OPEN THE HOOD WHEN SHE DID THAT FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD SO SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A COUPLE OF NEIGHBORS CAME OUT WITH FIRE EXSTINGUISURES AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CAR TRIED TO START IT SELF USING THE REMOTE STARTER SYSTEM AND OF COURSE THE FLAMES SHOT UP DUERING THIS ATTEMPT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT GOT THIER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY INGOLFED IN FLAMES THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT NOT IN TIME TO SAVE THE CAR.*AK

ON DECEMBER 30, 2002 I TOOK MY 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVELLE SLE IN UNDER WARRANTY TO PEORIA PONTIAC GMC TO INVESTIGATE VIBRATION AND A CLUNK NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LUBED BY PEORIA PONTIAC GMC PER GM'S STEERING SHAFT BULLETIN. MILEAGE WAS 19,814. IN DECEMBER OF 2004, THE NOISE RETURNED AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO PEORIA PONTIAC GMC ON 12/04/2004 AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT FOR GREASED FOR APPROXIMATELY $125.00 BY MY SERVICE ADVISOR. ON 12/6/2004 I PHONED PONTIAC. THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER TO ORDER A NEW STEERING SHAFT. THE PONTIAC SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PROMISED TO REIMBURSE ME AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. ON 2/8/2005 I CONTACTED PONTIAC BECAUSE THE PART IS STILL NOT IN AT THE DEALER. I WAS ADVISED GM HAS REDESIGNED THE PART AND THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A DELIVERY DATE. I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE WHILE WAITING FOR THE PART AND AM CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. *AK

I HAVE HAD REPEATED TROUBLE WITH MY 2001 BONNEVILLE,,HAVE HAD 3 WINDOW MOTORS GO OUT,,,3 BATTERIES GO BAD,,,AIR COMPRESSOR GO BAK,,,MOON ROOF WORKED ON 3 TIMES,,,3RD TIME,,,HAD 3 INCHES OF WATER IN FLOOR,,,,,THE PROBLEM NOW IS THE STEERING,,,YOU TURN WHEEL,,IT MAKES POPPING, CLUCKING NOISE,,& FEELS LIKE THE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF.. THE DEALER SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS GREASE,,WHICH THEY DID LAST YEAR,,,NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN,,& NOW THEY SAY ITS A STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM...I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 3 WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN,,,REPEATED CALLS,,& I AM TOLD THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL COME IN,,,THEY SAID DRIVE IT,,,IT WON'T FALL OUT????? THEY ALSO SAID THE REASON FOR THE DELAY IS ITS A COUNTRY WIDE BACK LOG???? WHAT DOES THAT MEAD,,,,I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR...& GM SERVICE DOES NOT KNOW EITHER...*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING PRODUCED A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. DEALER STATED THAT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK...IT WOULD COST $300.00 TO REPLACE AND LUBRICATE IT. *AK

THE CONSUMERS PONTIAC 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILED 3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS TO THE SAME ABS WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY/SENOR. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR CORRODED HARNESS AND A SHORTED SENSOR, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY, THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS EXCESSIVE, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THERE WOULD BE A 4 MPH VARIATION IN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD PIVOT AND CAUSE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATE REPEATEDLY. *SC

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURNS STEERING WHEEL MADE A POPPING SOUND. TWO KNUCKLES RUBBED TOGETHER WHICH NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OUT AND GREASED. *AK *TC

CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING TURNING MANEUVERS. *AK

VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE NOVEMBER 21,2004. REQUESTED STEERING CHECK BECAUSE OF POPPING NOISE IN COLUMN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED AND REPAIRS MADE ON JAN. 25, 2002 FOR SIMILAR CONDITION PURSUANT TO FACTORY TSB. MANNER OF REPAIR HAS BEEN UPDATED, TSB 04-02-35-004, ISSUED MAR.,04. THIS IS THE THIRD TSB ISSUED REGARDING STEERING SYSTEM. WE FEEL "REPAIR" IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THINK RECALL BE ISSUED BY SIMPLE NATURE OF SYSTEM INVOLED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED WHEN GETTING READY TO STOP OR MAKE A TURN. *AK

IF THIS IS NOT WHERE I NEED TO SEND A COMPLAINT, PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO THE CORRECT PERSONS. I OWN A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2004. *AK IN JUNE 2004 THE POWER WINDOW WENT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT JUST REPLACE THE "ARM" BUT ALSO THE WINDOW MOTOR WITH A COST $300. THEN, ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE IGNITION MODULE WENT OUT WHICH MADE THE IGNITION COIL GO OUT, WHICH MADE THE IGNITION CABLES GO BAD! THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL $650! THE REASON I AM UPSET IS BECAUSE CARMAX SUPPOSEDLY HAVE THEIR CARS "CARMAX CERTIFIED". THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT AGAINST GETTING A "LEMON".

THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TURNING THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE CAR STOPPED AND THOUGH THE ENGINE RAN, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION INPUT FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY GM FOR A SUBSTANTIAL FEE.*AK

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED 1 YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WARPED. IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM AGAIN GETTING THAT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. AT 35 MILES PER HOUR THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT JUMPS OUT OF YOUR HAND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT A REASONABLE PRESSURE WHEN SLOWING. IF I WERE TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY WHERE FAST BRAKING WERE NEEDED I DO NOT KNOW IF I COULD HOLD THE CAR ON THE ROAD THE SHAKING IS THAT BAD. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS WRONG AND WHY THE ROTORS ARE NOT HOLDING UP. CAN YOU HELP ME.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION; BURNED SMALL HOLE IN CLOTH OF SEAT.

1)IN MARCH OF 2004,I HAD TO REPLACE A FRONT BEARING ON THIS VEHICLE,TO REGISTER IT. I THEN HAD THE TIRES BALANCED,BELIEVING THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END WOULD STOP,IT HASN'T.MY NEXT PLAN WAS TO HAVE THE FRONT END CHECKED OUT.MAY 15TH 2004 I STARTED GETTING A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADS AND THAT THEY MAY NEED TO BE REDONE. I SPOKE IF SOME OTHER ITEMS I WANTED DONE: ADJUST SUN ROOF,FIX DRIVERS WINDOW,WHY IS THERE STILL A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHY AM I GETTING WATER IN THE TRUNK? THE MECHANIC EXPRESSEED THAT THIS VEHICLE "HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT". THE WHOLE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHICH MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY THE SUN-ROOF IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT,THE TRUNK LEAKS WATER,THE FRONT DRIVERS BARRING HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE IS QUITE LOOSE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS VEHICLE WAS OBVIOUSLY IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE FIRST OWNER, REPAIRED AND TURNED IN AT THE END OF THE LEASE. ALSO, HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES MADE IN THIS YEAR HAD TO HAVE THE HEADS WORKED ON AT 45000 MILES,OR WAS THE MILEAGE TURNED BACK FOR THE RETURN OF THE LEASE????*AK

CAR DISPLAYS "SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM" WARNING AFTER ABRUBTLY LOCKING THE RIGHT WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS PUSHED MY VEHICLE TO INTO ANOTHER LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

THE SHIFT SOLENOID AND CLUTCH SOLENOID GOT STUCK ON WHICH CAUSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MOTOR TO BURN OUT. THIS WAS MARKED BY MIIMICKING THE NEUTRAL GEAR: THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATING EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE BUT THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD RISE. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT WAS MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLD WEATHER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMED UP, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY ENGAGED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37,650 MILES ON IT AND GM IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME ABOUT REPLACING IT BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY WILL GUARANTEE A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FOR 50,000 MILES.

TIE ROD ENDS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 15K MILES, AGAIN AT ABOUT 25K MILES. CAR NOW HAS 64K MILES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT LUBRICATED AND/OR REPLACED 4 TIMES DUE TO THE CLICKING/GRINDING NOISE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SHAFTS. *AK

MY MAJOR COMPLAINT NOW IS I HAVE A 2001 BONNEVILLE WITH A LITTLE OVER 24,000 MILES ON IT. THE HOOD IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND HAS BLISTERED UP THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PAINT ON THE LEADING EDGE. THE DEALER IS TALKING ABOUT REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEES. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY AN INHERENT DEFECT WITH EITHER THE STEEL OR THE PREPARATION I FEAR IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. MY FEELING IS I SHOULD RECEIVE, AT A MINIMUM, A LIFETIME GUARANTEE/WARRANTY AND PREFERABLY A NEW HOOD.

OUR PROBLEMS STARTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AT INITIAL LAUNCH. A REAL SUPRISE AND SAFETY CONCERN WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING. I DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND REVEALED METAL DEBRIS AND GEAR TEETH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE LEARNED THAT A (ALLEGED) DEFECTIVE THRUST BEARING, SUPPLIED (1999) BY GM'S SUPPLIER, FAILS AND DESTROYS THE 'SUN/REACTION GEARSET' AND THE DEBRIS CONTAMINATES THE INSIDE WORKINGS OF THIS 4T65-E TRANSMISSION. JUST SHOWING THE DEBRIS TO THE GM SERVICE MANAGER, THEY OFFERED TO DO A 50/50 SPLIT ON REPAIRS. I INSISTED ON 100% SINCE THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE RECOMMENDED 50K OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. WITH THE FACT OF NOT GETTING A WRITTEN ESTIMATE, BUT A VERBAL ESTIMATE OF A MAX COST TO ME OF $3500 FOR THE REPAIR, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT REBUILD THE UNIT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #03-07-30-017 ISSUED MAY 7, 2003, DESCRIBING THE DEALER FIX (REBUILD) FOR THIS FAILURE. THIS TSB COVERS THIS MODEL TRANS THAT IS USED IN 1999-2002 BUICK CENTURY, LESABRE, PARK AVENUE,CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, SILHOUETTE, PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, GRAND PRIX, MONTANA, 2000-2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA, 2001-2002 PONTIAC AZTEK, 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, ALL WITH THE TRANSAXLE AUTO 4-SPEED, 4T65E(RPO MN3) THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WRITTEN #03-07-30-017 ISSUED MAY 7, 2003. IT IS ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT THE REPLACEMENT THRUST BEARINGS ARE CORRECTLY MADE NOW, AND FOR THE 2004 MODEL OF THIS TRANS

TSB #100004353/STEERING COLUMN TO INSTRUMENT PANEL FASTENER REMOVAL: THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE IN MARCH 2002. THERE WAS NOISE IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55-60 MPH. THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE ANOTHER REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 46,600 AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM

CAR HAS A GRINDING FEELING WHEN TURNING WHEEL.MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS.ALSO HAS CLUNKING SOUNDS AS DRIVING ALONG FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL.PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE HAD APPROX 5,000 MI. /AT 19,000 MILES PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.DEALER HAS IN PAST 2 YEARS REPLACED HOSES,RACK & PINION ASS'Y,PUMP "O" RINGS,AND STEERING COLUMN SHAFT TWICE.ALL DONE BEFORE FIRST 24 MONTHS WITH LESS THAN 18,000 MILES ON VEH./PONTIAC CUST SATISFACTION CONVINCED ME TO LET THEM REPAIR CAR ONCE MORE BACK IN FEBRUARY 2003.PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. JUST BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER AGAIN ON NOV 2003. PROBLEM STILL THERE. TWICE DEALER CLAIMED DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED,YET, AFTER SOME COMPLAINING TO DO A ROAD TEST WITH ME IN THE CAR, THE DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED BY BOTH TECHNICIANS AND THE SERVICE DEPT GENERAL MANAGER. CAR IS A LEASE. I OFFERED TWICE IN PAST TO BE ALLOWED TO TERMINATE LEASE WITHOUT ANY PENALTY FEES AND NO FURTHER ACTION ON MY PART WOULD BE PURSUED (LEMON LAW FILING). PONTIAC CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DEP'T. AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT AGREE. TWICE -AFTER REPAIRS -THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PUT BACK INCORRECTLY(CROOKED).CURRENTLY STEERING WHEEL IS STILL IN CROOKED POSITION AND GRINDING/CLUNKING STILL PRESENT.DEALER OFFERED ON NOV.19,2003 TO LET ME WALK AWAY FROM LEASE IF I START A NEW LEASE ON A NEW 2003 CAR.(HE" DOESNT HAVE ANY 2004 MODELS TO OFFER ME "-HE SAYS) ANYHOW THAT OFFER IS AVAILABLE TO ANY CONSUMER,THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT BY GM/PONTIAC/OR DEALER TO SATISFY ME. THERE ARE SEVERAL HU

NOTICED INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT ENGINE AREA WHEN TURNING. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY UNTIL 11/12/01. REPLACED STEERING RACK (PART 26098782 - GEAR KIT 6.508). *LA

NOTICED CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND FELT A KNOCKING THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS. DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (PART 26100571 - SHAFT 6.526) AND LUBRICATED SHAFT (PART 26098237 - LUBRICANT 8.800). *LA

NOTICED CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AND FELT KNOCKING THROUGH FLOOR BOARDS. DISREGARD COMPLAINT 10047407 OF 11/13/2001 AS YEAR AND MILEAGE INCORRECT. DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (PART 26100571 - SHAFT 6.526) AND LUBRICATED THE SHAFT (PART 26098237 - LUBRICANT 8.800). *LA

NOTICED INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY UNTIL FEBRUARY, 3, 2003. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK (PART 26099978 - GEAR KIT 6.508), LUBRICATED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (PART 26098237 - LUBRICANT 8.800) AND REPLACED POWER STEERING HOSES (PARTS 26079289 & 25727230). *LA

NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER SPRING SEAT ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH STRUTS (PART 22197789 - MOUNT 7.395; PART 908554 - BEARING 7.395; PART 22166986 - SEAT 7.420; PART 22171645 - WASHER 7.347; PART 22092693 - INSULATOR 7.420). *LA

AFTER THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2003, THE INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RESUMED IN APRIL, 2003. DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY UNTIL SEPTEMBER, 2003. DEALER REPLACED LEFT OUTER TIE ROD (PART 26067288 - ROD KIT 6.233). THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND ON OCT 7, 2003 THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (PART 26100571 - SHAFT 6.526). AS OF OCT 7, 2003, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TWICE AND THE POWER STEERING RACK TWICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. *LA

CAR LUGS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY AT 30 MPH AND AT 45 MPH. VERIFICATION OF PROBLEM WITH DEALER HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC AS IT DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME. ON NOV 13, 2002, THE DEALER REPLACED A VALVE ASSEMBLY (PART 24218255 -VALVE REM 4.265; PART 10478146 - VALVE SOLENOID 4.265; PART 24207957 - GASKET KIT 4.265; PART 24219819 - VALVE ASSEMBLY 4.265). *LA

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE STARTED SLIPPING AND JERKING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK FIRST THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECONDITIONED THEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS. BREAKS SQUEAKED AND MADE A RUBBING AND MOANING NOISE. THE JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT WAS BINDING. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. . *TS

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE RPM RISE RAPIDLY, BUT THE CAR BARELY MOVES. AS THE CAR WARMS UP, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY ENGAGES, VERY ROUGHLY, AND SHIFTS ROUGHLY UNTIL THE CAR IS WARM. *LA

THERE IS A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING SHAFT WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A DEER IN THE ROAD VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK AND HAND INJURIES. *AK

CERTIFIED LTR REPORTING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE ON A 2001 BONNEVILE. *CB *JB