2002 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 89 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (19% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The airbags did not deploy all the way my [XXX] is in the car as well and the driver side and passenger airbags did not deploy 100% it did cause me to end up having a cut on my face and abruzz eye I have pictures but I did not go to the ER but my [XXX] did cuz she had two cuts on her head it also shattered my windshield and something was leaking INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac bonneville. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. .*bf consumer owned the vehicle for a year an airbag light came on.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“Car will re-start on its own after key is removed. After parking and shutting off the car, then removing the key and opening the driver's door to exit: if you accidentally press the upper part of the lock button on the door (the unlock function) instead of pressing the lower part of the lock button (the lock function), the car will re-start itself. It then cannot be turned off because the ignition switch is already in the off position. The only way to shut off the engine is to jiggle the shifter.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac bonneville. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to smoke under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gaskets and valve cover failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was able to be started, but it took several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 80,529.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would drive extremely rough as if it could have stalled when there was a quarter tank of fuel or less. In addition, the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03v238000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
“While traveling on the interstate highway 295 in nj my vehicle stalled. The stalled and almost caused a near fatal accident with a semi. The vehicle after 20 minutes and numerous attempts the vehicle started back up and I decided to try and make it home by taking back roads away from the interstate. The vehicle stalled 4 more times before I could get it home. I was visibly shaken upset and scared out of my mind. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with out warnings. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,019 and the current mileage was 113,119.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2014
“Ignition switch, engine control module & security/theft module were all replaced because auto was inoperable due to their failure. The mobile mechanic charged $616.22 for parts, $1215.00 for labor & $13.08 for a hazardous waste fee, total repair was $1844.30. Please send email so I can scan detailed invoice of repair.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
“Mass air flow sensor and o2 sensor failure constant. 10/2013 security light comes on frequently while in motion12/2013 leaks in lower gasket valve...engine is extremely hot most of the time 04/2014 service engine light remains on due to o2 sensor failure even after replacement 7/2014 interior lights caught fire 05/2014. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Bonneville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 89 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is steering (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,176 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.