10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,866 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #14

Mar 192007

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving at 55 mph the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle sped into full throttle. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into reverse in order to stop the vehicle. The failure contained no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and when the mechanic started the vehicle, it was still at full throttle. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The current and failure mileage was 110,000.

- Scitute, MA, USA

problem #13

Jan 072003

Bonneville

  • miles
Nar 1/29/2003. The vehicle was delivered to the consumer with a bent water pump and a bent wheel. The alternator, power steering pump, transmission and egr valve were replaced.

- Bella Vista, AR, USA

problem #12

Apr 112004

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,123 miles
The intake manifold or the plemium whatever you want to call the thing wore out and all of my engine coolant went into the fuel cylinders and locked my motor down I was headed to macon ga from douglas, ga going to the hospital were they had transfered my brother and here I am in perry, ga broke down because Pontiac puts a plastic intake manifold on a motor I feel like Pontiac should have to pay for this part being replaced. I also have trouble with my car surging between 35 and 55 miles per hour this is the sorriest car I have ever owed and I have owned 2 Grand Prix before this car but liked the body style of the Bonneville and I rhought that it would be a good car but boy was I wrong I bought the car in August,2002 and have spent enough money on repairs on it that I could probably done paid for another Grand Prix.after reading all the complaints on this sight I feel they should have a recall on them for the transmissions and the intake manifolds because they all seem to be related to me.people pay a lot of money for there cars and still have to put money in repairs its just not fair.

- Douglas, GA, USA

problem #11

Aug 041997

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
Transmission bumps and jerks at speeds over 30 mph. Usually when climbing a hill. Solution...let off the gas for a second and re apply to stop the bucking temporarily. Also happened to my 92 Bonneville which had the original transmission that never failed with over 180,000 miles on it, besides the bucking.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #10

Aug 292001

Bonneville

  • miles
At freeway speed (2200 RPM) vehicle would surge repeatedly as if driver was quickly pressing and releasing gas pedal. Occasionally transmission would go into neutral and engine would rev to 4000 RPM. Letting the car coast for 10-15 seconds seemed to get the transmission back into operation. Dealer reported "found fluid black (burned very bad) recommend to replace with srta. Replaced trans with srta." So far no more problems after dealer replaced transmission.

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 011999

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since purchase of vehicle transmission would buck at 30-40 mph. Dealer could not find a problem. On July 22, 2002 dealer stated that valve body had to be replaced to remedy the problem.

- Sunnyville, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 152002

Bonneville

  • miles
Control valve body assembly failing for second time.

- Rutland, ND, USA

problem #7

Jun 012000

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I would like nitsa to conduct an investigation into bulletin #87-71-75. In accordance with pursuant to 49usc' 30162 and 49cfr part 522. My dealer and Pontiac motor division of genernal mortors would not change the control valve body assembly that is failing in my Bonneville, because their excuse is that I did not purchase this car new even though this car is only nine months out of warranty and only had 34,150 miles on it. Even though they know they manufactured a defective part and do not want to repair it. I do not feel that I should have to pay for a defective part that they installed at the factory. Thank you for your time. John G. hammel.

- Shoreview, MN, USA

problem #6

Jun 012000

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased this car used from a retailer who offered me 60 bumper to bumper warranty. During the first road trip, the car began surging at various speeds from 35-65 mph. The surging appeared to occur more often at a RPM of 2000 - 2500. I brought the car in to gary Pontiac with an explanation of the problem. When I picked up the vehicle at the end of the day, the diagnosis was to replace the wires, filters, perform a transmission tune-up for a total of around $300. I decided to save money and to have the work done elsewhere. After having this work performed, the car continued to exhibit the same surging. I attempted to return the vehicle to gary Pontiac before the warranty expired, but due to health reasons with the service manager/transmission expert, my return to gary was postponed until after the expiration of my 60 day warranty. During this whole process, I had made repeated reports to gmcares to document this process. I believe that I had made around 6 calls to gmcares during this time. Most recently (9/25/2000), I brought the car in to gary with the prior understanding that this problem was most likely due to a faulty transmission valve body. This problem appears to be prevalent in these types of cars/transmissions, since I personnelly know three people experiencing this problem. The dealer confirmed that indead the valve body would have to be replaced. The deal that was offered to me was for me to pay the part cost with GM to absorb the cost of service. I believe this is a noble attempt at customer satisfaction, but since this problem is inherent in these vehicles, I think GM should pickup the total cost of this repair. The fact that I had a warranty on the car that would have covered this defect had gary Pontiac diagnosed it the first time properly, is enough reason for this repair to be paid by GMC.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 012000

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased this car used from a retailer who offered me 60 bumper to bumper warranty. During the first road trip, the car began surging at various speeds from 35-65 mph. The surging appeared to occur more often at a RPM of 2000 - 2500. I brought the car in to gary Pontiac with an explanation of the problem. When I picked up the vehicle at the end of the day, the diagnosis was to replace the wires, filters, perform a transmission tune-up for a total of around $300. I decided to save money and to have the work done elsewhere. After having this work performed, the car continued to exhibit the same surging. I attempted to return the vehicle to gary Pontiac before the warranty expired, but due to health reasons with the service manager/transmission expert, my return to gary was postponed until after the expiration of my 60 day warranty. During this whole process, I had made repeated reports to gmcares to document this process. I believe that I had made around 6 calls to gmcares during this time. Most recently (9/25/2000), I brought the car in to gary with the prior understanding that this problem was most likely due to a faulty transmission valve body. This problem appears to be prevalent in these types of cars/transmissions, since I personnelly know three people experiencing this problem. The dealer confirmed that indead the valve body would have to be replaced. The deal that was offered to me was for me to pay the part cost with GM to absorb the cost of service. I believe this is a noble attempt at customer satisfaction, but since this problem is inherent in these vehicles, I think GM should pickup the total cost of this repair. The fact that I had a warranty on the car that would have covered this defect had gary Pontiac diagnosed it the first time properly, is enough reason for this repair to be paid by GMC.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #4

Jun 222000

(reported on)

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problem appears to be prevalent with this yr., make, model, dealer will not warranty part. No safety defect indicated within summary.

- Baker, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 131999

(reported on)

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling 40mph vehicle would not go to 2nd gear. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide futher informat.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #2

Aug 151999

Bonneville

  • miles
No summary

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #1

Apr 301998

Bonneville

  • miles
Orginial transmission rebuilt at 20,000 miles. Partial rebuild at 27,000. Owner reported continued transmission problems at 31,000 miles, 35,000 miles and 37,000 miles. Dealer reported

- Boothwyn, PA, USA