Model year record

2003 Pontiac Bonneville recalls & problems

The 2003 Pontiac Bonneville has 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints54filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 1, 2003

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 03V238000102,212 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Air bagsAug 9, 2002

Frontal

Recall 02V222000133,221 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Pontiac Bonneville 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Bonneville

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Bonneville

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	10	0	1	0	81,000 mi
SteeringRack and pinion; Rack and pinion › Pinion shaft	10	0	0	0	40,000 mi
Engine	9	0	2	0	110,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	6	0	0	0	156,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	6	0	1	0	82,500 mi
Unknown or other	5	0	0	0	55,500 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Power window devices and controls	3	0	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	3	2	0	1	72,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	3	0	0	0	97,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	0	0	0	—
SeatsMid/rear assembly	1	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
Look at the car the car is located [XXX] first of all you start off as a passcode 2 system and then it says passcode 3 system on the thing and I just don't want to deal with this because you have the cut off switch you have the fuel cut off switch but you still have current going through the switch or the fuel they fuel I'll probably leaking into the tank it doesn't start but still sending fuel the oil has excessive amount of liquid in it so does transmission I bought it used the guy goes you know I lost the key go in and remove it I started without the key you know or something like that and I said well here's I got the chamber and I will get it anyway I don't want to deal with this take…
Jul 1, 2026
Unknown or other
PASSENGER CONTROL ARM IS BAD
Oct 13, 2020 · 101,000 miles
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, SMOKE EMERGED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (WHEELERS CHEVROLET OF MEDFORD, 704 N 8TH ST, MEDFORD, WI 54461) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,600.
Feb 12, 2018 · 113,600 miles
Power train
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 # [XXX]. THEY ALL SHOWED THE SAME OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Apr 9, 2017 · 130,000 miles
Unknown or other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2003, HAVE HAD 5 DIFFERENT SERVICE TECHS, INCLUDING DEALER LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX OR FIND THE PROBLEM.
Sep 1, 2003
Unknown or other
BURNT SMELL AFTER RUNNING CAR. SERVICEMAN CHECKED AND OIL WAS LEAKING. NEED NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AS LEAKING ON MANIFOLD WILL CAUSE A FIRE.
Mar 8, 2016 · 30,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM ITS PARKED LOCATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING DIMINISHED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/16/16*JB
Dec 1, 2015 · 75,000 miles
Engine
LEAKING OIL, SAME ENGINE AS OTHER CARS IN RECENT RECALL.
Dec 1, 2015 · 70,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.