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2003 Pontiac Bonneville Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville, most often about the engine (28% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Bonneville model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Engine
15 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving 65 MPH, the engine stalled and all the warning indicator lights illuminated. The vehicle would not restart. The repair shop stated that the failure was caused by a spun bearing and a blown rod. The engine was replaced. The current and failure mileages were…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that she noticed an overpowering fuel odor as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility where the contact was informed that the fuel tank and catalytic converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Electrical
10 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
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…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle and all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In…
Steering
10 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column.
Steering knuckle u-joint was clunking. The dealership replaced and I paid $275. One year later, it started clunking again on turns - dealership added in grease kit at no charge. One year later, steering starts clunking again and they say it is not covered under warranty. Why is this thing designed to last only one…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving 15 MPH or turning the vehicle left or right, the contact heard a clunking sound coming from the steering column. He can also felt the steering wheel vibrate once the noise began. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who stated that other consumers with the…
Transmission
6 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The car will from time to time accelerate on its own. On one occasion I took it to the shop after it had been doing for about a week, however on the day I took it to the shop it was not doing it and the shop couldn't find anything wrong with it. Recently it had been doing it for a couple days and the morning I was…
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 # []. They all showed the same operating characteristics.…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that she noticed an overpowering fuel odor as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility where the contact was informed that the fuel tank and catalytic converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Acted like it was running out of gas, loss of power and speed. Only 50mph when a boom in the engine, pulled over popped the hood latch, saw smoke, exited car as flames came out of the hood. Called 911.. Car burnt to the ground. Witness stopped and told me that there is a problem with faulty fuel lines .
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%While driving my 2003 Pontiac Bonneville with 6500 miles on it I heard a loud noise which startled my to the point that I thought I had been hit by another car. When I got to my destination I discovered that my rear window had dropped and would not operate. I understand many people have had this same problem gm should…
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…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls.
Wipers are operating erratically when in the off position. Wipers start on their own and go as they please, all while in the off position. Wipers stop in eye-line sight and cause visibility problems. After a few months of the above activity the wipers stop functioning all together making visibility null in rain and…
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…
Air bags
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: frontal.
: the contact stated the airbag light illuminated and there was an audible warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who found a recall had been issued on the airbags, #02v222000. The dealership was alerted, but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The front end was damaged, but the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Pontiac Bonneville recalls
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (15 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); steering (10 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 1, 2003 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Pontiac Bonneville?
- It is 4th of 6 Bonneville model years by number of complaints, with 54 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.