RoadVitals

2000 Pontiac Bonneville

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
214
Latest Dec 22, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 24, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 214 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the visibility, steering and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 349 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

Feb 24, 2004
910,873 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
The risk: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03054BView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Apr 17, 2000
8,132 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.
The risk: WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING, ANTILOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE IS ACTIVATED IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE FEATURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00035View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA07008ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Opened Jun 12, 2007
Closed May 1, 2008

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 08V118000
EA02030ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Oct 22, 2002
Closed Mar 9, 2004

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYLed to recall 04V090000
PE02050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jun 13, 2002
Closed Oct 22, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Dec 22, 2018

SMELL OF FUEL DUMPING FROM EXHAUST. AIR FILTER CHECKS OUT. MILD SMELL JUST OUTSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HEADACHE PRODUCING SMELL INSIDE CAN. WASN'T THEIR A RECALL FOR PART TOLERANCES TO CORRECT THIS? ARE ALL GM DELPHI REPLACEMENT PARTS PRESENTLY SOLD ADEQUATE TO ADDRESS THIS. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD NEW UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD INSTALLED. HARD COLD STARTING CAN CAUSE AND CAUSED MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE EXCESS FUEL SMELL. YESTERDAY AND TODAY DRIVING I AM GETTING THE FUEL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN SMELL. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THIS IS A FUEL REGULATOR ISSUE. AND I WILL PUT ON A FRESH AIR FILTER TO REDUCE ERRONEOUS ENRICHMENT. ODD HOW MY CODE READER CAN PERFORM A FUEL PRESSURE CHECK AND REMEDY THE COLD HARD START CONDITION. THESE FUMES OCCUR FROM TAILPIPE WHEN STARTING, FROM ALL OVER NOW WHEN DRIVING. AFTER PARKING THE SMELL REMAINS SOME AT THE HOOD. SOME DRIVERS FOLLOWING ME STAY EIGHT CAR LENGTHS BACK.

NHTSA ID
11163083
Incident
Dec 22, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2018

CAR WONT START

NHTSA ID
11071953
Incident
Feb 9, 2018
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10968984
Incident
Mar 27, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 15, 2015

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR A YEAR AND AFTER I GOT IT THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKED ME DOWN SO THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY SECURITY LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THEN THE CAR QUIT. I PULLED OVER AS FAST AS I COULD AND PLAYED WITH THE GEAR LEVER AND KEY AND GOT THE CAR RESTARTED. SO AFTER THAT I HAD TO GET A NEW KEY AND HAVE IT PROGRAMED TO THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT WILL FIX IT. WELL IT HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES AFTER THAT BUT AFTER PLAYING WITH THE KEY IT STARTED UP. THEN THE LAST TIME I WAS AT WORK AND AFTER 4 HOURS CAME OUT TO GO HOME IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME AND NOW IT IS AT THE GM DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS DONE THIS FROM WHAT I AM READING THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL GM'S WITH THIS SECURITY SYSTEM. IT LOCKS OUT THE INJECTORS AND STARTER. GUESS WHAT THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTERS CAN READ THE COMPUTER. THIS IS A BIG RIP-OFF FOR PRIVATE PEOPLE WHO CANT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR CAR FIXED AT THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10734313
Incident
Jun 27, 2015
Mileage
238,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Mar 20, 2015

WHILE DRIVING THE BONNEVILLE THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN, LOOSES ALL POWER. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALSO JUST ON LOCAL CITY DRIVING. YOU CAN BE GOING 30 MPH OR 65 MPH. CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN (WHICH IS VERY SCARY GOING 65 MPH) AND SOMEONE ON YOUR BUMPER. LOOSES POWER STEERING SO ITS HARD TO MOVE OVER LANES ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WE HAVE FOUND YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ON THE FIRST TURN OF THE KEY BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES OF TURNING THE KEY, ALL THIS WHILE COASTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH PEOPLE BUZZING ALL AROUND YOU. THE ONE TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS RIGHT BY THE GARAGE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO, TOOK IT OVER, THEY RAN A CHECK ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NOTHING CAME UP. THEY ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITHOUT JUST START RANDOMLY CHANGING PARTS THEY THINK IT MIGHT PERTAIN TO? ANY SUGGESTIONS, THIS ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT DOES THIS, AND ITS JUST RANDOM WHEN IT DOES DO IT, NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10700689
Incident
Mar 18, 2015
Mileage
98,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL SWITCH FOR THE LOCKS AND WINDOWS FAILED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID
10637661
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
171,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10625996
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2014

2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER PAID $352.14 TO HAVE TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10619607
Incident
Nov 16, 2010

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

24-NA-098

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Bonneville by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006000
2005270037.3
2004280036.5
2003542052.9
2002892255.6
20011290249.3
2000Viewing2142359.0
19991434462.0
19982772261.6
19971472259.3
19961503260.6
19952441044.4
1994880043.4
19931381151.5
19921133262.7
1991222051.6
1990391046.4
1989282049.5
1988171454.8
1987194862.2
1986338
1985113
1984121
1983010
1982110
1981100
1979211
1978320
1977140
1976010
1975030
1974010
1972020
1971020
1969020
1966020
1965010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.