Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
825–50K
650–75K
975–100K
8100–150K
4150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE SPEAKER LOCATED ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE SPEAKER ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT FIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL FUSES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IMMEDIAT…
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VEHICLE SPEAKER LOCATED ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE SPEAKER ON THE REAR DECK CAUGHT FIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL FUSES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IMMEDIATELY. (WHICH WAS COMPLETED BY THE SERVICE DEALER) THE SERVICE DEALER THEN SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECT AND TO RETURN IT TO THE SELLING DEALER. THE SELLING DEALER REFUSED TO AFFIRMATIVELY IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND INSISTED THAT THE CONSUMER CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, COPIES OF THEIR NTSB, AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10033928
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Power Train
THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE WITHOUT HIS FOOT BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE KEY POSITION WAS IN THE ACCELERATOR POSITION WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. (ESPECIALLY ON A HILL) …
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THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE WITHOUT HIS FOOT BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE KEY POSITION WAS IN THE ACCELERATOR POSITION WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. (ESPECIALLY ON A HILL) *SCC
NHTSA ODI #10026992
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
VisibilityFire
CAR STARTED ON FIRE AFTER TUNING ON THE DEFOGGER
NHTSA ODI #10030439
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002
Electrical System
DASH GUAGES ARE HARD TO READ IN SUNLIGHT DUE TO THEIR BACKLIGHT DESIGN AND LACK OF CONTRAST WITH THE GUAGE BACKGROUND. IN SUNLIGHT WITH SUNGLASSES ON THE BECOME NEARLY IMPOSIBLE TO READ. ALSO, THE SENSOR THAT TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IN THE PROCESS DIMS THE LIGHTS FURTHER (MAKING THE DASH APPEAR BLACK WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSE…
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DASH GUAGES ARE HARD TO READ IN SUNLIGHT DUE TO THEIR BACKLIGHT DESIGN AND LACK OF CONTRAST WITH THE GUAGE BACKGROUND. IN SUNLIGHT WITH SUNGLASSES ON THE BECOME NEARLY IMPOSIBLE TO READ. ALSO, THE SENSOR THAT TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IN THE PROCESS DIMS THE LIGHTS FURTHER (MAKING THE DASH APPEAR BLACK WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES) IS POORLY PLACED AND OFTEN IS ACTIVATED ON SUNNY DAYS IF THE SUN IS ON THE DRIVE SIDE OF THE CAR.*AK
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.
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.
2003 Pontiac Bonneville Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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