2004 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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.
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..
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
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.
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
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
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
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEEL BRAKE LINE STARTED LEAKING. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 BONNEVILLE TRUNK HOOD FELL DOWN ON CONSUMERS WIFE. *TS *JB
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.
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
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.
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
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .