2003 Pontiac Bonneville problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (7) · Engine (5) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Pontiac Bonneville model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
40 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (424)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 424 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 t…”
2018-02-12 · Engine · 113,600 mi · 🔥 fire“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 w…”
2017-04-10 · Power Train · 130,000 mi“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. informatio…”
2016-05-05 · 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.…”
2016-03-20 · Unknown Or Other · 30,000 mi“burnt smell after running car. serviceman checked and oil was leaking. need new valve cover gaskets as leaking on manifold will cause a fire.…”
2016-02-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 75,000 mi“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…”
2015-12-10 · Engine · 70,000 mi“leaking oil, same engine as other cars in recent recall.…”
2015-10-28 · Engine · 100,000 mi“the car i drive (3.8 liter six cylinder) has an oil leak coming from the left valve cover. after i come to a stop or make a left turn, i smell oil fumes and can see a light smoke coming from the front of the car. i've been reading about the current recall for cars made before and after my car. how do i get my car on list of recalls for repair?…”
2015-09-25 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 160,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. the contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was leaking and the fuel tank pressure sensor needed to be replaced. t…”
2015-08-13 · Unknown Or Other · 81,000 mi“my car shuts off while driving. i notice it because power steering is hard to use and rpm's go down to zero and car has shut off. it started up again. this has been a real problem. dealer tested car and said it was a crankshaft sensor. i replaced the crankshaft sensor and the problem continues. cam sensor replaced too. this is a safety issue.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.