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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

What owners actually said

54 reports
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

108,231 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE UNDER BODY CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS WELDED TOGETHER INSTEAD OF REPLACED, WHICH HE ADVISED WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE UNDER BODY CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS WELDED TOGETHER INSTEAD OF REPLACED, WHICH HE ADVISED WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,231.

NHTSA ODI #10445072

182,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Power TrainSteering

WHEN I KICKED IT DOWN. MY SERVICE LIGHT STARED TO BLINK. NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT OF CAR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427955

6,500 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WITH 6500 MILES ON IT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH STARTLED MY TO THE POINT THAT I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD DROPPED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. I UNDERSTAND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM GM SHOULD HAVE HAD A…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WITH 6500 MILES ON IT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH STARTLED MY TO THE POINT THAT I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD DROPPED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. I UNDERSTAND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM GM SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL WITH THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419390

90,000 miles · Sep 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10357368

72,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER AND DID NOT RETRACT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER AND DID NOT RETRACT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, HEAD, AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10342979

98,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

LOUD POP, SMOKE, CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DESTROYED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308317

78,029 miles · Dec 2, 2009
Visibility

WIPERS ARE OPERATING ERRATICALLY WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION. WIPERS START ON THEIR OWN AND GO AS THEY PLEASE, ALL WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION. WIPERS STOP IN EYE-LINE SIGHT AND CAUSE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF THE ABOVE ACTIVITY THE WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING ALL TOGETHER MAKING VISIBILITY NULL IN RAIN AND SNOW. …

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WIPERS ARE OPERATING ERRATICALLY WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION. WIPERS START ON THEIR OWN AND GO AS THEY PLEASE, ALL WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION. WIPERS STOP IN EYE-LINE SIGHT AND CAUSE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF THE ABOVE ACTIVITY THE WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING ALL TOGETHER MAKING VISIBILITY NULL IN RAIN AND SNOW. IN THE LAST 3 YEARS THE WIPER PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED ONLY TO HAPPEN A YEAR LATER. THE WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, 2007 AND 2009. I BELIEVE THE CIRCUIT BOARD ONLY WAS REPLACED IN 2008. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS OCT-JAN. THEY START ACTING UP BEFORE WINTER AND THAT IS WHEN I BRING THE CAR IN BECAUSE I WILL NEED RELIABLE WIPERS FOR THE WINTER SEASON IN MICHIGAN. WHEN REPAIRED THE WIPER MOTOR SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD IS SHORTED OUT. ONE MECHANIC STATED IT LOOKS LIKE WATER IS GETTING IN THERE AND IS SHORTING IT OUT. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, BUT I AM SURE I WILL HAVE ONE NEXT YEAR, 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294257

57,996 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Exterior Lighting

2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATES MOISTURE, FOGS UP OVER TIME. GM KNOWS THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET. GM INFORMED ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM OVER TIME, SORRY! THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERY GM OWNER. WHEN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATES MOISTURE AN…

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2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATES MOISTURE, FOGS UP OVER TIME. GM KNOWS THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET. GM INFORMED ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM OVER TIME, SORRY! THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERY GM OWNER. WHEN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATES MOISTURE AND FOGS THE LENS THE LIGHTS ARE DIM. NIGHT TIME DRIVING IS AFFECTED GREATLY BY THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAN THEM INSIDE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS FROM THE INTENSE HEAT FROM THE HALOGEN BULBS. OVER TIME THE HEAT DRAWS IN MOISTURE, CAUSING THE LENS TO BAKE THE MOISTURE TO THE INSIDE OF LENS TURNING YELLOW OVER TIME. EVERY GM VEHICLE, IN ADDITION TO MY BONNEVEILLE, HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IF I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING, AN ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR TO ME AND/OR ANOTHER DRIVER. GM KNOWS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO FIX THIS WITH GLASS-HEADLAMPS LIKE ON PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS. UNTIL THIS GETS FIXED, ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR DUE TO FAILED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I, ALONG WITH OTHER AMERICANS REFUSE TO PAY $275 FOR EACH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHEN GM KNOWS THE PROBLEM EXISTS. PLEASE HELP GM OWNERS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH PLASTIC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES TURNING YELLOW INSIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY. IF I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT, HOW CAN I DRIVE? GM KNOWS THE ISSUE, LETS FIX THIS NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT FROM DIM HEADLAMPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281293

57,420 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Electrical System

2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI ACDELCO BATTERY LEAKING ACID ONTO FLOOR PAN, EATING THROUGH THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 8/7/2009. LOOKED FOR THE BATTERY ON 8/12/2009 AND NOTICED A SMELL IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID ALL OVER THE FLOORS, SHEET METAL …

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2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI ACDELCO BATTERY LEAKING ACID ONTO FLOOR PAN, EATING THROUGH THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 8/7/2009. LOOKED FOR THE BATTERY ON 8/12/2009 AND NOTICED A SMELL IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID ALL OVER THE FLOORS, SHEET METAL AND SEAT CUSHION. THE ACID OPENED A 4" DIA HOLE SO FAR WHILE THE RUST AND ACID ARE CONSUMING THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE BATTERY. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR A FEW REASONS. 1) ACID EATS THE FLOOR AND ALLOWS THE BACK, SEAT PASSENGER VULNERABLE TO ROAD DEBRIS, POTENTIALLY FALLING THROUGH THE FLOOR, ETC. 2) THE ACID EATS THE FLOOR CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FALL THROUGH THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, INCLUDING DAMAGE TO THE CURRENT VEHICLE. 3) AS THE BATTERY FALLS THROUGH THE FLOOR, DANGLING FROM THE CAR, SCRAPPING ON THE ROAD COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE RISK TO FUEL TANK, PASSENGER AND/OR VEHICLE ITSELF. A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281287

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.