RoadVitals

2004 Pontiac Bonneville Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
28
Latest Jul 10, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical1129.7%
  • Steering821.6%
  • Other / unspecified38.1%
  • Brakes38.1%
  • Airbags25.4%
  • Engine25.4%
  • Transmission25.4%
  • Fuel system12.7%
  • Powertrain (other)12.7%
  • Seat belts12.7%
  • Body & structure12.7%
  • Suspension12.7%
  • Interior & seats12.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TROUBLE WITH WINDOW REGULATORS GOING BAD. RIGHT NOW MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE WINDOWS..

NHTSA ID 10733293 · filed Jul 10, 2015

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WE (WIDE AND I) NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. SINCE WE WERE IN A FARMING AREA WE DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT. ABOUT 20 MILES LATER THE SMELL LINGERED AND WE NOTICED SMOKE BEGAN FILLING CAR. PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND MY WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM BACK SEAT. I TOOK THE SEAT OFF AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A FIRE GOING ON IN THERE. PULLED BACK SEAT OUT ONTO GROUND AND PUT THAT FIRE OUT. UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THE FUSE BOX TO BE BURNED AND MELTED. OBVIOUSLY THE CARE DOESN'T RUN ANY LONGER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10653652 · filed Nov 8, 2014
All 11 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBIT A CLUNKING SOUND. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,550.

NHTSA ID 10575424 · filed Mar 28, 2014

STEERING WHEEL CLUNKED & FELT DETACHED---CAR TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE QUOTE A "BROKEN STEERING COLUMN." STEERING COLUMN PART WAS REPLACED, PART #26087952 COLUMN AS 6,518. COST WAS $1516.58. CAR WAS DELIVERED ON 3/15/05 AND HAS ONLY 40,662 + MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10448228 · filed Feb 16, 2012
All 8 reports naming steering

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVE A 2004 BONNEVILLE GXP AROUND THE 24,000 MILE MARK THE CAR SEEMED TO FALL APART. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STICKS, THE TRUNK STAYS FULL OF WATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN FILLS UP WITH WATER ONCE EVERY 4 MONTHS, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND MOST CONCERNING THE STEERING JOINT IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AT THE TIME AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY THREE CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS CAR. A FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY PROBLEMS WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE. I JUST FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. I AM DISGUSTED WITH GENERAL MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10311692 · filed Feb 18, 2010

I PURCHASED A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILE USED. I WAS THE 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT THE CAR IN TOP NOTCH SHAPE! I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY 2007. AUGUST OF 2008 I STARTED NOTICING MY CHROME PLATED WHEELS PEELING, MEANING THE FINISH ON THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF IN CHUNKS. THE WHEELS IN WHICH THE CHROME PLATE IS PEELING OFF ARE BECOMING RUSTY NOW. NOT ONLY ARE MY WHEELS RUSTY, THE PIECES PEELING OFF ARE ACCUMULATING NEAR MY BRAKES AND BECOMING LODGED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10240818 · filed Sep 3, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STEEL BRAKE LINE STARTED LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10554581 · filed Dec 3, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND DANGLED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING, JUMPED A CURB, AND LANDED IN HER NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A FAILED PEDAL ASSEMBLY RETAINER CLIP, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,078 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,023. UPDATED 11/29/07.

NHTSA ID 10209006 · filed Nov 15, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID 10660075 · filed Nov 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID 10402552 · filed May 24, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPONENT FAILURE-GAUGE CLUSTER PANEL-2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE 1. FAILURE - TEMP GAUGE FAILURES PROMPTED A COMPUTER CHECK ENGINE READING THAT STATED THE TEMP SENDING UNIT WAS PROBABLE CAUSE. DEALER "EWING BUICK-PONTIAC" DID NOT HAVE PART, REFERRED TO RELIABLE CHEVROLET WHO SOLD US THE PART AS SPECIFIED IN TECH PUB BUT WAS NOT THE CORRECT SENDING UNIT. COMPARED THE OLD ONE TO ANOTHER YEAR MODEL AND LOCATED AN IDENTICAL SENDING UNIT WITHIN 48 HOURS BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE TEMP GAUGE. THE CAR NEVER HAS OVERHEATED BUT THE GAUGE WOULD READ A DIFFERENT TEMP DAILY UNTIL IT FINALLY RARELY EVER READ A DEGREE. DEALER SAID WOULD NEED TO PULL CLUSTER PANEL AND SEND OUT. ONLY THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED 5,000 MILES AND DEALER QUOTED $650.00 TO PULL THE UNIT OUT AND SEND OUT TO HAVE DIAGNOSED AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT A WEEK. SERVICE WRITER SUGGESTED I WAIT UNTIL WARNING LIGHTS INDICATE A PROBLEM. NEXT DAY THE TACHOMETER GAUGE BEGAN FAILING. YOU COULD START THE CAR OVER 4 OR 5 TIMES AND GET BOTH TEMP AND TACH TO READ SOMETHING AND SOMETIMES THOUGHT IT WAS ACCURATE BUT WITHIN ANOTHER MONTH THE GAUGES RARELY REGISTERED ANYTHING AND THEN THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS PRE-OWNED GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND WARRANTY WAS UNTIL 39000 MILES AND AT 45000 THE GAUGES BEGAN FAILING OF COURSE THE TEMP SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED AT 43000 MILES BECAUSE OF A CHECK ENGINE WARNING CODE. I HAVE ONLY OWNED 2 PONTIACS IN MY DRIVING HISTORY BUT MOST VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED WERE GM PRODUCTS AND I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH MORE FAULTS, WHICH STARTED WITH THE TEST DRIVE AND A POPPING IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS AT 28000 MILES BUT DEALER CONVINCED TO PURCHASE AS THE ITEMS WERE COVERED UNDER MANF WARRANTY AND THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK WHILE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO MY BONNEVILLE PURCHASED JAN 2005. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH MILES ON IT YET TO BE REQUIRING COSTLY MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES WHICH ARE A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

NHTSA ID 10175020 · filed Dec 3, 2006

THE 3.3L ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE AS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID 10105245 · filed Dec 22, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR-- TOOK IT IN TO A PONTIAC DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE PRESSURE REGULATOR SOLENOID WHICH IS THE SAME ISSUE THEY WERE HAVING WITH THE 2003 MODELS THAT HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS ON. I CALLED GM AND THEY AGREED TO COVER THE CHARGES TO FIX IT; HOWEVER, WHEN I HAD IT FIXED AND $1,100 LATER-- THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T A 2003 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10245344 · filed Oct 14, 2008

I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILE SE WITH 64,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID, WHICH ENDS UP CAUSING HARD SHIFTS AND CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, HAS FAILED, AND THE TRANSMISSION EITHER NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ALTOGETHER. IT IS A RATHER PRICEY FIX BETWEEN $800(REBUILT) TO $2000(REPLACED). *TR

NHTSA ID 10244142 · filed Oct 1, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPONENT FAILURE-GAUGE CLUSTER PANEL-2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE 1. FAILURE - TEMP GAUGE FAILURES PROMPTED A COMPUTER CHECK ENGINE READING THAT STATED THE TEMP SENDING UNIT WAS PROBABLE CAUSE. DEALER "EWING BUICK-PONTIAC" DID NOT HAVE PART, REFERRED TO RELIABLE CHEVROLET WHO SOLD US THE PART AS SPECIFIED IN TECH PUB BUT WAS NOT THE CORRECT SENDING UNIT. COMPARED THE OLD ONE TO ANOTHER YEAR MODEL AND LOCATED AN IDENTICAL SENDING UNIT WITHIN 48 HOURS BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE TEMP GAUGE. THE CAR NEVER HAS OVERHEATED BUT THE GAUGE WOULD READ A DIFFERENT TEMP DAILY UNTIL IT FINALLY RARELY EVER READ A DEGREE. DEALER SAID WOULD NEED TO PULL CLUSTER PANEL AND SEND OUT. ONLY THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED 5,000 MILES AND DEALER QUOTED $650.00 TO PULL THE UNIT OUT AND SEND OUT TO HAVE DIAGNOSED AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT A WEEK. SERVICE WRITER SUGGESTED I WAIT UNTIL WARNING LIGHTS INDICATE A PROBLEM. NEXT DAY THE TACHOMETER GAUGE BEGAN FAILING. YOU COULD START THE CAR OVER 4 OR 5 TIMES AND GET BOTH TEMP AND TACH TO READ SOMETHING AND SOMETIMES THOUGHT IT WAS ACCURATE BUT WITHIN ANOTHER MONTH THE GAUGES RARELY REGISTERED ANYTHING AND THEN THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS PRE-OWNED GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND WARRANTY WAS UNTIL 39000 MILES AND AT 45000 THE GAUGES BEGAN FAILING OF COURSE THE TEMP SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED AT 43000 MILES BECAUSE OF A CHECK ENGINE WARNING CODE. I HAVE ONLY OWNED 2 PONTIACS IN MY DRIVING HISTORY BUT MOST VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED WERE GM PRODUCTS AND I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH MORE FAULTS, WHICH STARTED WITH THE TEST DRIVE AND A POPPING IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS AT 28000 MILES BUT DEALER CONVINCED TO PURCHASE AS THE ITEMS WERE COVERED UNDER MANF WARRANTY AND THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK WHILE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO MY BONNEVILLE PURCHASED JAN 2005. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH MILES ON IT YET TO BE REQUIRING COSTLY MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES WHICH ARE A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

NHTSA ID 10175020 · filed Dec 3, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IN JAN 2009 @ 72K MILES ON THE CAR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANS. WOULD BANG INTO GEAR. PER GM DEALER IT HAD CODES P0756 AND P2763 CALLING FOR REPLACEMENT OF SHIFT SOLENOID. IN SEPT. 2010 @ 108K MILES THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND CODE, REPLACED THE SAME PART. NOW IN FEB 2012 @137K MILES AGAIN THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND CODES, BUT THIS TIME THEY ARE SAYING TO REPLACE THE TRANS. THE FIRST 2 TIMES I WENT TO THE SAME DEALER, THIS TIME I WENT TO ANOTHER. ISSUE I HAVE IS IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 72K WHILE UNDER AN EXTENDED 5 YEAR, 100K MILE WARRANTY. GM IS UNWILLING TO ADMIT ANY FAULT OR DEFECT. I FEEL THAT THIS PART FAILING 3X WITHIN 65K MILES IS AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. ALSO LOOKING THRU SOME OF THE HISTORY I SEE THIS SAME TYPE OF ISSUE IN THE 2003 CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10448284 · filed Feb 17, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN HE STOPPED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT FASHION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ENGAGED WHEN THEY DROVE THE VEHICLE AT 10 MPH. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 08/28/07. *JB

NHTSA ID 10199696 · filed Aug 15, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2004 BONNEVILLE TRUNK HOOD FELL DOWN ON CONSUMERS WIFE. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID 10155177 · filed Apr 3, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM SHARRETT PONTIAC BUICK GMC ON 10 NOVEMBER 2004. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST RIDE ON 30 DEC I NOTICED A VERY OBVIOUS VIBRATION IN THE CAR. THE SALES MAN SAID THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT. I PURCHASED IT ON 10 NOVEMBER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME TILL FRIDAY THE 12 OF NOV. I WAS TOLD NEW TIRE WAS PUT ON THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 17TH OF NOVEMBER (2 DAYS) AGAIN FOR INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (2 DAYS) AGAIN IN THE WEEK OF 14 DEC FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS STILL NOT CORRECT. I WAS EVEN TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER IN A PHONE CALL ?THE CAR IS 90% FIXED? I TOLD HIM 90% WAS NOT ENOUGH. AGAIN THE CAR WAS IN FROM 20TH DEC TO THE 22ND DEC I DROVE THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD AND BROUGHT IT WRITE BACK AND STILL I FEEL A VIBRATION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT AT LEAST 4 TIMES BUT, TO DATE, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ATTACHED ARE COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDERS THAT DOCUMENT THE DEALERSHIP'S ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR MY CAR. NOTE: I HAD TO ASK TO GET INVOICE OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE. I DID NOT GET ALL PAPERWORK. THEY ARE KEEPING IT OPEN AND IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE NOT CLOSING IT WHEN I AM CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 10112032 · filed Feb 23, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVE A 2004 BONNEVILLE GXP AROUND THE 24,000 MILE MARK THE CAR SEEMED TO FALL APART. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STICKS, THE TRUNK STAYS FULL OF WATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN FILLS UP WITH WATER ONCE EVERY 4 MONTHS, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AND MOST CONCERNING THE STEERING JOINT IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AT THE TIME AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY THREE CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS CAR. A FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY PROBLEMS WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE. I JUST FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. I AM DISGUSTED WITH GENERAL MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10311692 · filed Feb 18, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .