2003 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (20% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look 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 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, smoke emerged from underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (wheelers chevrolet of medford, 704 n 8th st, medford, wi 54461) and was referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 113,600.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“With the key turned to acc you can pull the car out of park without depressing the brake pedal. With the key turned to run you must depress the brake pedal to pull it out of park. Car is not running. Also checked 3 other pontiac bonneville's. One is a 2002 VIN # [xxx]. They all showed the same operating characteristics. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2017
“Burnt smell after running car. Serviceman checked and oil was leaking. Need new valve cover gaskets as leaking on manifold will cause a fire.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while moving the vehicle from its parked location, the contact noticed engine oil leaking on the ground under the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing diminished engine power. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 03/16/16*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was leaking and the fuel tank pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03v238000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 160,000. Update 01/15/16 ma”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the ignition locked and prevented the key from turning to start the vehicle. On several occasions, the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The dealer replaced the key, but the failure persisted. The security sensor illuminated and the vehicle was in security mode. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 143,875.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“My car shuts off while driving. I notice it because power steering is hard to use and rpm's go down to zero and car has shut off. It started up again. This has been a real problem. Dealer tested car and said it was a crankshaft sensor. I replaced the crankshaft sensor and the problem continues. Cam sensor replaced too. This is a safety issue. No one knows why the car shuts off when it wants to. Now the car still shuts off while driving, but also it takes 2 to 3 times to restart. Still trying to figure this out. It is august 2015 and I need this car. Is this a recall issue?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2014
“The fuel injector started having issues, and the car has a whistling sound when the ignition is turned on. The smell of gas is coming from under the hood of the car. The electrical system has been off since we got the vehicle in november of 2013, the mirrors move by themselves and the sunroof never worked correctly. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2014
“Pontiac bonneville 2003, car would just turn off while we were driving. We didn't realize it was turning off at first, we just thought the steering and brakes were becoming hard to work. We would have to pull over and turn the car back on. *js *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“On 8/1/11 while driving I heard a loud noise like I had been hit by something so I pulled off the highway and noticed that my left rear window had dropped down by itself and I could not raise it by activating the switch. Gm replaced the operator. On 12/13/13 my right front window operator failed and I shared the cost of the repair with gm. Now on 1/19/14 my right rear window operator has failed. I searched the internet and have found that many people have had this same problem. This vehicle has only 7300 miles on it and in my estimation should not have these problems. Gm should have a recall for this problem. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - 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 2003 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is steering (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,029 miles or less.
Does the 2003 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.