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2003 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports5 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/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 pro…

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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 your car around it took that he sold a mindful but it took the Kelly converter around he didn't tell me about it he asked who did it well he was the city I guess a city bought this car now they're trying to sell it I work clean the electrical Transit system to get a car doesn't work just take it just get it out of it I'm going to be blunt with you just get this XXX car off the property please thank you the XXX had no gas now it shows a full tank of gas just trying to blow me up at this XXX or what just get the XXX out my property man thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11750406

113,600 miles · Feb 12, 2018
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 MANUFAC…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11072386

70,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Engine

LEAKING OIL, SAME ENGINE AS OTHER CARS IN RECENT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10809488

100,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Engine

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 …

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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?

NHTSA ODI #10786884

81,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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. THI…

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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. NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO. NOW THE CAR STILL SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, BUT ALSO IT TAKES 2 TO 3 TIMES TO RESTART. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. IT IS AUGUST 2015 AND I NEED THIS CAR. IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #10748603

110,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10642012

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST POWER. I SHIFTED VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED RESTART. ENGINE RESTARTED. CONTINUED DRIVING WHEN DRIVE OVER BUMPS, BUCKLES IN PAYMENT ENGINE LOOSES POWER. ALL NEEDLE INDICATORS DROP TO OFF POSITION, CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, STEERING LOOSES POWER, ALL LIGHTS GO OUT AS WELL. THIS IS A CONDITION THA…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST POWER. I SHIFTED VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED RESTART. ENGINE RESTARTED. CONTINUED DRIVING WHEN DRIVE OVER BUMPS, BUCKLES IN PAYMENT ENGINE LOOSES POWER. ALL NEEDLE INDICATORS DROP TO OFF POSITION, CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, STEERING LOOSES POWER, ALL LIGHTS GO OUT AS WELL. THIS IS A CONDITION THAT HAS BECOME INCREASING MORE DANGEROUS AS SPEEDS INCREASES. I HAD VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AS WELL WHICH DID THE SAME WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, OR IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. I PREVIOUSLY STATED I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO RECALL GM HAS RECENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED FOR SOME CARS. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE INCLUDED ALL VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN THIS PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ODI (YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBER (ODI NUMBER) IS: 10564622 )THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE NOTED, AND INCLUDED WITH SAFETY RECALL BY GM AND NHTSA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572831

130,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Engine

WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. I HAD WENT OVER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE DRIVING. HIT BUMP IN ROAD AGAIN AND ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER. RESTARTED ENGINE AND RETURNED HOME. HAD REPAIR SHOP CHE…

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WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. I HAD WENT OVER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE DRIVING. HIT BUMP IN ROAD AGAIN AND ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER. RESTARTED ENGINE AND RETURNED HOME. HAD REPAIR SHOP CHECK VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. NEITHER WAS GM DEALER. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN EVERYTIME I GO OVER BUMP IN ROAD, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH 2001 BONNEVILLE. I SAW GM RECALLING 2005 G5 WITH SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS RELATED ISSUE AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED SIMILARLY BY GM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS LIMITED TO G5 AND COBALT. AS I STATED 2001 AND 2003 BONNEVILLES HAVE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564622

229,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

ACTED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED. ONLY 50MPH WHEN A BOOM IN THE ENGINE, PULLED OVER POPPED THE HOOD LATCH, SAW SMOKE, EXITED CAR AS FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. CALLED 911.. CAR BURNT TO THE GROUND. WITNESS STOPPED AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FAULTY FUEL LINES . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474028

Official recalls

2

03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 1, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.