RoadVitals

2000 Pontiac Bonneville Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
29
Latest Feb 9, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 214 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2018

CAR WONT START

NHTSA ID
11071953
Incident
Feb 9, 2018
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
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
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
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 24, 2014

VARIABLY THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING,RENDERING THE PS BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ME AS I AM 78 YEARS OLD.THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED THERE WAS NO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO PULL OFF,LEAVING THE CAR IN WHATEVER LANE IT STALLED IN! IT TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 5 MIN TO 1/2 HOUR TO RESTART VERY VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS TO OTHER TRAVELERS AND TO ME! SOMETHING DESPERATELY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10593863
Incident
Apr 14, 2012
Mileage
69,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THERE WAS A SLIGHT BUMP TO THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,100.

NHTSA ID
10578874
Incident
Mar 27, 2014
Mileage
167,850 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 26, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ALL WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED, BUT A REPORT WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,500.

NHTSA ID
10453019
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Mileage
90,500 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2010
Fire reported

FIRE IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A MALL PARKING LOT ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10371389
Incident
Dec 13, 2010
Mileage
74,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 27, 2007

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT SOCKET HAS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED TWO TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THE ELECTRICAL LOAD GOING TO THE HEADLIGHT IS TOO GREAT, THEREFORE OVERLOADING THE WIRES AND CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. PLASTIC SOCKET HAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE BASE OF THE HEADLAMP( PART# 9005). *JB

NHTSA ID
10186256
Incident
Mar 26, 2007
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2006

ON JUNE 17, 2006 THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE DROPPED AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP UNLESS PULLED UP BY HAND. EVEN THEN IT DOES NOT STAY UP WHEN IT RAINS, THE WETNESS SEEMS TO MAKE IT SLIP. JUST PURCHASED FROM BASIL RESALE IN FEB. 2006 WITH 45,000 MILES. TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY COVERED PROBLEM AND WOULD COST ABOUT $400 TO REPAIR. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN FINDING ONLINE I THINK GM SHOULD CHECK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS IT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED AS OF YET BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TOO. *NM

NHTSA ID
10162060
Incident
Jun 17, 2006
Mileage
49,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 2005

MY CAR RECENTLY FAILED TO START. AFTER A JUMP START FROM AAA I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CAR AGAIN FAILED TO START. I DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD BATTERY AND AFTER LOCATING THE BATTERY UNDER THE REAR SEAT I WAS HORRIFIED TO FIND THAT THERE WAS ALREADY CORROSION UNDER AND AROUND THE BATTERY AREA. I FOUND A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM AND THE LEAKING BATTERY HAD OBVIOUSLY EXISTED FOR SOME TIME. THE AAA REPRESENTATIVE WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY, MADE BY AC DELCO, SUGGESTED IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THE BATTERY TO FAIL AROUND THE + CONNECTION. I THINK I WAS LUCKY NOT TO EXPERIENCE ACIDIC VAPORS INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THERE IS NO DRIP TRAY UNDER THE BATTERY WHICH WOULD HAVE AVERTED THE CORROSION TO THE VEHICLE UNDER THE SEAT AREA. BATTERIES, LIKE OTHER PARTS, FAIL (THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY) BUT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROHIBIT THE CORROSION PROBLEM PARTICULARLY IN AN AREA THAT IS ONLY INSPECTED AFTER THE FAILURE. UNDER THE HOOD BATTERIES ARE FAR MORE VISIBLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130697
Incident
Jul 22, 2005
Mileage
79,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 13, 2005

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFTER BEING HIT IN THE REAR. *NM THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS HIT THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK FAILED WITH EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF AND THE CONSUMER GOT ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM THE FLOOR AND SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE WIRES APPEARED CORRODED FROM WATER DAMAGE AND THAT THERE WAS SOME AFTERMARKET WIRING DONE ON THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10110988
Incident
Oct 6, 2004
Electrical
Filed Sep 28, 2004

DELCO BATTERY THAT COMES WITH THE VEHICLE HAS TWO OUTLETS WITH TWO BROKEN TERMINALS THAT LEAK, AND THE GAS THAT LEAKS. IT IS STORED UNDER THE BACK SEAT, WHICH ALSO STORES ALL THE ELECTRONIC RELAYS THAT WILL PRODUCE SPARKS AND CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, POSSIBLY STARTING A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10094533
Incident
Sep 28, 2004
Mileage
34,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2004
Fire reported

WAS GOING TO DINNER WITH MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER.AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 1 MILE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE HOOD AREA.DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC HUSBAND DID A U-TURN IN THE STREET AND QUICKLY STOPPED CAR. BEFORE STOPPING HUSBAND LOST EVERYTHING BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE RAN FROM CAR TRIED TO OPEN HOOD ENGINE COMPLETLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED.DURING THE SEEING OF SMOKE THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO GAUGES,EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. THIS ENGINE HAD ONLY 20,990 MILES ON IT.INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10068370
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Mileage
20,990 mi
Body & structureElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 29, 2004

SINCE I OWNED THE CAR I HAVE HAD THESE THINGS FIXED: 1 WINDOW REGULATOR, 1 POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, POWER STEERING WORK (AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED) HOOD REPAINTED AND IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. NOW I NEED TO HAVE 2 WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED AT $400 A PIECE. I'M HAVING SOME LOAD HUMMING NOISE WHEN USING BRAKES BUT I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TRUNK LEAKS SO I CAN NOT USE IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING GETS WET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10068035
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2004

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED ENGINE BACK FIRED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE AN EXCEEDINGLY LONG TIME TO START. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10071413
Incident
Apr 21, 2004
Mileage
42,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2003
Fire reported

CONSUMER CRANKED ENGINE TO START AND HEARD A LOUD BANG OR POP. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS COMPLAINT WAS CALLED IN BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THE OWNER OF VEHICLE WAS KEITH ELLIS, 5708 SPRING LAKE DR. EVANSVILLE IN. 812-423-4822. *AK

NHTSA ID
10048115
Incident
Nov 9, 2003
Electrical
Filed Nov 21, 2002

INTERMITTENT DAMP & COLD CONDITIONS. DT

NHTSA ID
769980
Incident
Nov 18, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT COULD HVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND CONSUMER GET HURT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8014343
Incident
Jun 26, 2002
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Jul 12, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAD ROUGH IDLE AND STALLED OUT. DEALER FOUND SPARK PLUGS IN NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER BURNED UP AND CAME APART RUNING THE ENGINE. IT HAD ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE PISTON. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE NGK TYPE PTR4B-15 SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT FACTORY PLUGS. *TT

NHTSA ID
566683
Incident
Dec 7, 2001
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Jun 21, 2002

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, INCLUDING RADIO, FOGLAMPS, PASSENGER WINDOW, REAR SEAT BELT LATCHES,DOOR RATTLES,STITCHING IN LEATHER SEATS COMING APART,AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL,ALIGNMENT,TIRES THAT CANNOT BE BALANCED,STEERING SECTOR BEARING, TIE ROD END DEFECTIVE & ROUGH BRAKING. DEALER HAS FIXED ALL PROBLEMS, BUT THE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND NOW A REAR SEAT BELT LATCH HAS QUIT WORKING. I HAVE A NATIONAL GM CLAIM NO. WHICH WAS OBTAINED BACK IN JANUARY 2002, C06145322. I HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS ENCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THAT HAS BEEN DENIED. I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OVER $2,000. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. PLEASE RESPOND EITHER BY EMAIL OR LETTER. LARRY NEUBAUER

NHTSA ID
763327
Incident
Oct 3, 2001
ElectricalEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Apr 23, 2002

UPON PURCHASING VEHICLE IN THE YEAR OF 2000 RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. COOLANT LEAKS, ALSO STARTER AND FUEL PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN ON TURNS. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY DUE TO SHIFT SOLENOID FAILURE. VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT END DUE TO STEERING GEAR FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ID
8008377
Incident
Jun 16, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 22, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002589
Incident
Jan 16, 2002
Body & structureElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
756880
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2001

SPARK PLUG NGK TYPE PTR4B-15. *AK

NHTSA ID
755575
Incident
Dec 7, 2001

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .