2002 Pontiac Bonneville complaints

DT THE HEAD REST DID NOT PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SUPPORT. VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN A REAR END CRASH IN FEBRUARY. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT. HAD A CASE OF WHIP LASH. THE CONSUMER CAN RAISE THE HEAD REST UP BUT CAN NOT PULL IT FORWARD. THIS FEBR 14TH, 2005. *AK

DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION IN A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND RECEIVED A CASE OF WHIPLASH, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED HEAD REST. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I DID NOT CHECK OUT THE HEAD REST AS I DON'T USE HEAD RESTS DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING. IT WAS NOT UNTIL A FEW MONTHS LATER THAT I NOTICED I COULD NOT TOUCH THE BACK OF MY HEAD TO THE HEAD REST UNLESS I LEANED SO FAR BACK THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD DRIVE, AND IT WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THERE ARE NO ADJUSTMENTS TO BRING THE HEAD REST FORWARD ONLY ONE ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE THE HEAD REST HEIGHT. OF COURSE THIS MAKES THE HEAD REST EVEN MORE UNUSABLE BECAUSE THE HIGHER YOU RAISED IT THE FARTHER YOU HAD TO LEAN YOUR HEAD BACK TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE HEAD REST. I COMMENTED TO MY WIFE THAT IF WE WERE EVER INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION THESE HEAD RESTS WOULD PROVIDE NO PROTECTION AND OUR HEADS AND NECKS WOULD TAKE THE FULL IMPACT OF THE COLLISION. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW THAT ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005 I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND ON THE WAY TO WORK. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING NO MORE THAN 15 OR 20 MPH, BUT MY HEAD NEVER TOUCHED THE HEAD REST AND I RECEIVED A CASE OF WHIPLASH FAR MORE SERIOUS THAN ONE WOULD PROBABLY EXPERIENCE IF THE HEAD REST HAD ABSORBED SOME OF THE IMPACT INSTEAD OF MY HEAD AND NECK TAKING THE FULL FORCE OF THE COLLISION. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT $600, SO THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS MY INJURY COULD NOT BE A SEVERE AS I AM CLAIMING. THEREFORE, THEY

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, OVER A SERIES OF SMALL BUMPS, STEERING COLUMN SHAKES AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK IN FRONT END, NO ACCIDENTS OF LOSS OF STEERING, GM HAS REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT 3 TIMES, THEN STRUTS, BUSHINGS AND MOUNTS AND LUBED THEM 2 OR 3 TIMES ALSO

PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT ON 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOW STORM THE VEHICLE'S WIPERS BEGAN OPERATING ERRATICALLY AND BY THE END OF THE TRIP THE STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO MOISTURE SEEPING INTO THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. *NM

THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ERUPTED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED SINCE A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED BEFORE. *AK THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, BOTH FRONT WINDOW LIFT MOTORS WERE REPLACED, WATER LEAKED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, THERE WAS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF ENGINE NOISE AS WELL AS HEAT AND EXHAUST ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS TWO INCHES OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING LOCKED UP, THERE WAS A LACK OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR, HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE, THE UPPER NUT AND THE BOLT THAT HELD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. *SC

[1]CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE DURING TURNING NEUVER/STEERING WHEEL ROTATION; [2]SAME AS #1; [3]STEERING COLUMN REPLACED [OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO WIRE THE WINDOW IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOW TO STAY SHUT. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CLUNK SOUND COMING FROM THE TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL DURING COURSE OF DRIVING. *AK

BOTH REAR SEAT BUCKLES BROKE, AND LEFT THE REAR OCCUPANTS WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT WHILE DRIVING OR IF BECOMING INVOLVE IN A CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

2002 PONTIAC,STEERING ASSEMBLY CLUNKING NOISE. *BF THE DEALER HAS A KIT THAT CAN BE INSTALL TO ALLEVIATE THE CLUNKING NOISE BUT THE CONSUMER FEELS THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

MANY WATER LEAKS STARTING AT WINDSHIELD THEN TO TRUNK THEN TO WATER IN FLOORBOARDS. S OF TODAY MY CAR HAS BE IN SERVICE DEPT WITH 24 ISSUES IN 1 YEARS TIME. ALSO OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP THE WHO EVER WORKS ON THE CAR BREAKS OR DAMAGES OTHER PARTS ON MY CAR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS TWICE NOW OT COUNTING ALL THE OTHER TIMES ITS BEEN THERE. *AK

WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE FUEL SAFETY SHUT OFF IN MY WIFE'S BONNEVILLE DIDN'T WORK. SHE WAS STRUCK JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND THEN PUSHED INTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT HARD ENOUGH TO SET OFF THE AIR BAGS. AFTER BOTH IMPACTS THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND HAD TO BE SHUT OFF BY THE IGNITION KEY. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAK. NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE.*AK

1. THIS IS A FAILURE THAT HAS TAKE PLACE OVER A SPAN OF SIX MONTHS. AFTER ONLY USING THE WINDOWS A COUPLE OF TIMES THE MOTOR OR REGULATOR FAILS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN MARCH OF 2004, THE SECOND IN APRIL OF 2004 AND THE MOST RECENT WAS IN AUGUST OF 2004. 2. THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE IN THE MOTOR OR WINDOW REGULATOR IN ALL FOUR OF OUR WINDOWS. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS THE INABILITY TO ROLL-UP THE WINDOWS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A PROBLEM WHEN IT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS A CAR SEAT. WE ALSO FEEL IT IS UNFARE FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR SOMETHING PONTIAC SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. 3. OUR VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL DECEMBER; THEREFORE, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PARTS THAT FAILED. WE ALSO CONTACTED PONTIAC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WINDOW SASH AND THAT IS CAUSING THE FAILURE IN THE MOTORS AND REGULATORS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT PLANNING ON A RECALL UNTIL THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE WHEN OUR WARRANTY IS UP IN DECEMBER AND WE HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TO HAVE SOMETHING FIXED THAT IS CLEARLY A DESING FAILURE. WE FELL THAT NHTSA NEEDS TO EXAMINE THIS PROBLEM AND PRESSURE PONTIAC TO RECALL THE WINDOW SASHES ON THEIR VEHICLES. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY WILL NOT TAKE ACTION UNTIL THEY ARE NOTIFIED BY YOU.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I'VE HAD THREE WINDOWS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE SINCE 01/04. THE RIGHT BACK WINDOW CAME DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I'VE MANAGED TO GET THE WINDOW BACK UP. THE BUTTON DOESN'T DO ANYTHING. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD DEFECTIVE WINDOWS? THIS IS THE 5TH BONNEVILLE I'VE OWNED SINCE 1992. THE 2002 HAS HAD MORE THINGS WRONG WITH IT THAN ALL THE OTHER BONNEVILLES I'VE OWNED.*AK

FOR A SHORT 2-3 WK PERIOD I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION NOT PERFORMING NORMALLY. I OBSERVED 4-5 OCCURENCES OF SLOW GEAR SHIFTING IN THIS 3 WK PERIOD AND PROMPTLY SCHEDULED A TEST OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE COMPUTER TEST IDENTIFIED AN ERROR THAT WAS EXPLAINED AS "INACCURATE GEAR RATIO", WHICH MEANS THE COMPUTER TOLD THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAR WAS TRAVELING AT INACCURATE SPEEDS. THEREFORE CAUSING THE GEARS TO SHIFT INACCURATELY. I SCHEDULED A FOLLOW-UP FOR THE NEXT WEEK TO LEAVE THE CAR WITH THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER, MORE COMPREHENSIVE TESTING. OVER THAT WEEKEND, THE CAR FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A MAJOR/BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I DID NOT HAVE ANY GEARS AND HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE INTERSECTION, CROSS TRAFFIC, AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT START, BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION, LIGHTS COME ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES DO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. *LA

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE IN 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE,NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. GMC DEALER SAYS DUE TO BREAK FLUID CONTAMINATION WITH PETROLEUM AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS UNCLEAR TO US AS TO HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED. IN THE EVENT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WE ARE REPORTING IT HERE.*AK

THE PANEL IN THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT THAT SEPARATES THE REAR SEAT FROM THE TRUNK KEPT COMING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THAT THEY ARE REPLACING THE PANEL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PANEL WHICH HAS A MAGNET. *NM

MY FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE (T125-70R16 96M TUBELESS RADIAL) EXPLODED WHILE STILL IN ITS TRUNK COMPARTMENT. MY VEHICLE (2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE) WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. THE TIRE BLEW OUTWARD WITH SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO BREAK THE COVER OF THE SPARE TIRE WELL, SCAR THE WELL ITSELF, AND TO SHRED AND TEAR THE CARPET AND PADDING COVERING IT IN THE TRUNK. THE EXPLOSION ALSO KNOCKED A FEW ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS, BUT HAS APPEARED NOT TO HAVE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED THEM. THE TIRE HAD BEEN INFLATED TO APPROXIMATELY 50-55 PSI FIVE DAYS EARLIER. IT IS RATED AT 60PSI. THE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN USED. *MR

VEHICLE FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

I AM CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM GM IS HAVING WITH THE 4T65E TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE DEALING WITH SLIPPAGE DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL COMPONENT. I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THAT IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER AND WORKED THROUGH SEVERAL TSB CONCERNING BOTH OUR VEHICLES. I AM CONCERNED THEY FIX THESE AS THEY OCCUR, HOWEVER WHEN I AM AT 37,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY WHO PAYS THEN? SAFETY IS MY FORST PRIORITY! IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR (AND GM KNOWS IT MIGHT) WHEN MY WIFE IS PASSING, PULLING INTO TRAFFICE, ETC... WHO KNOWS THE OUTCOME. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS ISSUE WITH THE OTHERS CONCERNING THIS AND MAKE GM FIX A POTENTIAL PROBLEM THEY ARE AWARE OF.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ALL FOUR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES, SIZE P235/55R17 WERE PROVIDING LOW PROFILE. DEALER INDICATED TIRES WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED TO THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *AK

CAR CONSTANTLY SQUEAKS ON DRIVER'S SIDE BY DOOR/SEAT. WHEN DEALER NOTIFIED LESS THAN 36000 MILES SAID THEY CUULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, WHEN COMPLAINED AGAIN AT 40000 MILES DEALER SAID I NEEDED NEW BRAKES. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN ONE CITY, I LIVE IN ANOTHER CITY AND PURCHASED GM EXTENDED WARRANTEE AND AT FIRST DEALER IN THE CITY I LIVE IN WAS REFUSING TO DO NEW CAR WARANTEE WORK.

PURCHASED PONTIAC BONNEVILLE JULY 2002, EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING T2 TIRES. JULY 17, 2003 AT 12,351 MILES HAD R/R TIRE- REPAIRED AT DEALER (M&S CHEVROLET IN PAWLING NY)(WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SCREW IN TIRE) TOLD NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. TIRES WERE ROTATED & BALANCED AT THIS TIME. DECEMBER 29, 2003 PROBLEM WITH RIGHT REAR TIRE (16,906 MILES) TOLD A PUNCTURE. WAS REPAIRED, TOLD AGAIN THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON TIRES. FEB 11, 2004 HAD A BLOW OUT LEFT FRONT TIRE. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO MAJOR INJURIES. *JB

CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO OTTO OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP WITH 64K FOR A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF A WATERPUMP AND FOR A SQUEALING NOISE. WAS TOLD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR WAS 600, WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THE WATERPUMP LABOR TOTAL REPAIR WAS 1100. CAR WAS DRIVEN TWICE AFTER REPAIR, LESS THAN 200 MILES WHEN SQUEALING RETURNED AND ENGINE SEIZED FROM COOLANT ENTERING CYLINDER NUMBER FOUR AS A RESULT OF THE MANIFOLD LEAK. CAR SAT IN DEALERSHIP FOR THREE MONTHS WHILE WE HAGGLED WITH THEM AND GM FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS. GM DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AND CAR HAD AN ENGINE INSTALLED FROM A JUNKYARD AT A TOTAL COST OF 350. CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL SQUEALING.

THERE'S A METALLIC POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE NOISE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR PAN AND RUBBING. THE AREA WHERE THE COMPONENTS WERE RUBBING BEGAN TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM

CLUNK FROM THE FRONT, SOME PLACE IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHEN TURNING. HOW DO I FIX IT, OR IS IT ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH?*AK FRONT SEATS ARE SO VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. WE HAVE ADDED SEAT CUSHIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE BETTER SUPPORT, YET THEY CONTINUE TO BE HORRIBLE.

CONSUMER STATES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT CONSUMER CAN FEEL IN THE REAR. TOOK TO PONTIAC, AND DEALER STATED TWO METAL GEARS WERE RUBBING TOGETHER. *AK

THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAGS. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. *NLM

THE SHIFTER WAS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK. NO BRAKES AFTER CAR WASH AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT TIMES. *NLM

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD REST ON THE SEATS ARE LOOSE AND DON'T HOLD POSITION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WERE CONTACTED AND DO KNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS RESULTS IN A SHADOW BEING CAST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE IN THE DARK WHILE DRIVING. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE THE WHITE LINES ON THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING AROUND BENDS AND TURNS AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS SHINE STRAIGHT AHEAD WHEN TURNING BENDS AND CORNERS. DEALER "ADJUSTED" HEADLIGHTS, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MR

MFR# 02032 & NHTSA# 02 V 222 000/AIR BAG INFLATOR: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, BAUR PONTIAC INC. IN STRONGSVILLE, OH. PHONE # 440/236-5600. IS UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE NO INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING IF CONSUMER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD FRONT SUSPENSION WILL MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

LOUD CLUNK WHEN TURNING SHARPLY WHILE USING BRAKE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURNING. HEARD CLEARLY AND FELT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD OF CAR. SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH RAIN CONDITIONS. DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN TURNS DO NOT INVOLVE USE OF BRAKES. LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER, "GARY MATTHEWS OF JACKSON" REFUSES TO PROVIDE WARRANTY SERVICE, BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT PURCHASED AT GM DEALERSHIP. CLAIMS CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT - NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO "CARFAX.COM" AND INDEPENDENT INSPECTIONS OF VEHICLE STRUCTURE.*AK

LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR VIBRATES, CAUSING A BLURRY VISION. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. REPLACED MIRROR AND MOTOR MOUNTS HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK INSIDE TRUNK PANEL KEEPS FALLING, WINDOW CONTROLS/LEFT FRONT DOOR DOOR PANELS ARE LOOSE. *SCC

TILT STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK