pontiac bonneville 2004 Complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

the 3.3l engine stalled while driving at any speed. it also happened while the vehicle was in motion at 35 mph. the vehicle as been to the dealer on 4 separate occasion, but they were unable to correct the problem. *jb

Reported in: GREAT MILLS MD || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K44U

SUSPENSION

i purchased my car from sharrett pontiac buick gmc on 10 november 2004. when i took the car for a test ride on 30 dec i noticed a very obvious vibration in the car. the sales man said they would be able to fix it. i purchased it on 10 november and was not able to drive it home till friday the 12 of nov. i was told new tire was put on the car. i took my car back to the dealer for repairs on 17th of november (2 days) again for intermediate shaft (2 days) again in the week of 14 dec for a couple of days still not correct. i was even told by service manager in a phone call ?the car is 90% fixed? i told him 90% was not enough. again the car was in from 20th dec to the 22nd dec i drove the car down the road and brought it write back and still i feel a vibration. this car has been in and out at least 4 times but, to date, the dealer has been unable to correct the problem. attached are copies of the repair orders that document the dealership's attempts to repair my car. note: i had to ask to get invoice of work that has been done. i did not get all paperwork. they are keeping it open and it seems that they are not closing it when i am called to pick up the car. *ak

Reported in: HAGERSTOWN MD || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HY52K34U

STEERING

i purchased my car from sharrett pontiac buick gmc on 10 november 2004. when i took the car for a test ride on 30 dec i noticed a very obvious vibration in the car. the sales man said they would be able to fix it. i purchased it on 10 november and was not able to drive it home till friday the 12 of nov. i was told new tire was put on the car. i took my car back to the dealer for repairs on 17th of november (2 days) again for intermediate shaft (2 days) again in the week of 14 dec for a couple of days still not correct. i was even told by service manager in a phone call ?the car is 90% fixed? i told him 90% was not enough. again the car was in from 20th dec to the 22nd dec i drove the car down the road and brought it write back and still i feel a vibration. this car has been in and out at least 4 times but, to date, the dealer has been unable to correct the problem. attached are copies of the repair orders that document the dealership's attempts to repair my car. note: i had to ask to get invoice of work that has been done. i did not get all paperwork. they are keeping it open and it seems that they are not closing it when i am called to pick up the car. *ak

Reported in: HAGERSTOWN MD || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HY52K34U

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

2004 bonneville trunk hood fell down on consumers wife. *ts *jb

Reported in: BROOKLYN NY || Crash: N || VIN #:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle in a parking lot, when the key was turned to the on position, an explosion occurred in the rear of the vehicle. it was towed to the dealer who determined the battery, located behind the back seat, exploded causing damage to the back half of the vehicle. the contact sustained minor injuries and a police report was taken.

Reported in: SAN JOSE PR || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K34U

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

STEERING

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. the car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. service writer suggested i wait until warning lights indicate a problem. next day the tachometer gauge began failing. you could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. the car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. i have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles i have owned were gm products and i have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. this car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern. *jb

Reported in: WYLIE TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52KX4U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

dt*: the contact stated the battery exploded right after turning on the vehicle. it was taken to the service dealer, who could not find the reason why the battery exploded. the manufacturer was not able to explain the reason for the incident.

Reported in: SAN JUAN PR || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K34U

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. while driving, the front seat belts failed to engage when he stopped. the dealer stated that the vehicle was designed in that fashion. the dealer also stated that the seat belts engaged when they drove the vehicle at 10 mph. the dealer did not repair the vehicle. the failure mileage was 3,000 and current mileage was 25,000. updated 08/28/07. *jb

Reported in: CRESTVIEW HILLS KY || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y54U

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. while backing out of the driveway at 5 mph, the brake pedal extended to the floor and dangled when it was depressed. there was no resistance in the brakes. the vehicle continued moving, jumped a curb, and landed in her neighbor's yard. the vehicle was towed to a private mechanic. the cause of the failure was a failed pedal assembly retainer clip, which was replaced. the current mileage was 40,078 and failure mileage was 40,023. updated 11/29/07.

Reported in: ROUND ROCK TX || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K34U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL

instrument cluster / gauges are failing. first the temp gauge quit, then the volt gauge, and now the tachometer. car is out of warranty. dealer will not replace.

Reported in: KANSAS CITY MO || Crash: N || VIN #:

STEERING

popping in steering - the steering gets hard to turn and there is a popping noise when turning. i was told by the first dealership that it was a faulty part but would not be covered under any recalls. was replaced under warranty after days of arguments. was told it is now a maintenance problem that will cost about $175.00 each time it is repaired with a greasing kit - no replaced as defective - about twice a year so far. i feel it should state it in the owners manual as a maintenance issue ig that is what it is.

Reported in: CLINTON MS || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K34U

WHEELS

i purchased a 2004 pontiac bonnevile used. i was the 2nd owner of the car and the previous owner kept the car in top notch shape! i purchased the car in may 2007. august of 2008 i started noticing my chrome plated wheels peeling, meaning the finish on the wheels are coming off in chunks. the wheels in which the chrome plate is peeling off are becoming rusty now. not only are my wheels rusty, the pieces peeling off are accumulating near my brakes and becoming lodged.

Reported in: BROCKWAY PA || Crash: N || VIN #:

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. after stopping at a traffic light, the tie rod failed and the two front wheels were facing each other. the vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the tie rod was a foreign part. updated 10-29-08 *bf updated 10/30/08. *jb

Reported in: YONKERS NY || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K04U

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

i have a 2004 pontiac bonnevile se with 64,000 miles on it. the transmission pressure control solenoid, which ends up causing hard shifts and can cause transmission damage, has failed, and the transmission either needs to be rebuilt or replaced altogether. it is a rather pricey fix between $800(rebuilt) to $2000(replaced).

Reported in: ROCKY RIVER OH || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K94U

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

car started shifting hard from 2nd to 3rd gear-- took it in to a pontiac dealer and they stated it was the pressure regulator solenoid which is the same issue they were having with the 2003 models that had numerous service bulletins on. i called gm and they agreed to cover the charges to fix it; however, when i had it fixed and $1,100 later-- they said they weren't going to cover it because it wasn't a 2003 model.

Reported in: FULTON IL || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K744

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL

2004 pontiac bonneville speedometer, fuel gauge and temp gauge have all malfunctioned. web research has shown that this has become a common problem in gm vehicles, but gm does not acknowledge the problem.

Reported in: ELKTON MD || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K84U

STEERING

a massachusettes vehicle inspection on my 2004 pontiac bonneville has resulted in a safety rejection of the vehicle for a worn steering stub shaft bearing. pontiac is aware of this problem and has issued service bulletin 04-02-32-001d mar 09 (steering - steering gear stub shaft bearing kit). the fact that a service bulletin has been issued substantiates that this is a common safety concern. the consequence of failure is loss of steering control.

Reported in: AGAWAM MA || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX54K214

STEERING

have a 2004 bonneville gxp around the 24,000 mile mark the car seemed to fall apart. the passenger window sticks, the trunk stays full of water, the passenger side floor pan fills up with water once every 4 months, the coolant temperature gauge stopped working, the tachometer stopped working, the speedometer stopped working, and most concerning the steering joint in the steering column is bad. we contacted the local dealer at the time and they said there were no recalls. i do not feel safe driving my three children around in this car. a forty thousand dollar car should not have these many problems with so little mileage. i just find it hard to believe they have not recalled this vehicle. i am disgusted with general motors.

Reported in: MOLINO FL || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y94U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

have a 2004 bonneville gxp around the 24,000 mile mark the car seemed to fall apart. the passenger window sticks, the trunk stays full of water, the passenger side floor pan fills up with water once every 4 months, the coolant temperature gauge stopped working, the tachometer stopped working, the speedometer stopped working, and most concerning the steering joint in the steering column is bad. we contacted the local dealer at the time and they said there were no recalls. i do not feel safe driving my three children around in this car. a forty thousand dollar car should not have these many problems with so little mileage. i just find it hard to believe they have not recalled this vehicle. i am disgusted with general motors.

Reported in: MOLINO FL || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y94U

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

have a 2004 bonneville gxp around the 24,000 mile mark the car seemed to fall apart. the passenger window sticks, the trunk stays full of water, the passenger side floor pan fills up with water once every 4 months, the coolant temperature gauge stopped working, the tachometer stopped working, the speedometer stopped working, and most concerning the steering joint in the steering column is bad. we contacted the local dealer at the time and they said there were no recalls. i do not feel safe driving my three children around in this car. a forty thousand dollar car should not have these many problems with so little mileage. i just find it hard to believe they have not recalled this vehicle. i am disgusted with general motors.

Reported in: MOLINO FL || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y94U

EQUIPMENT

have a 2004 bonneville gxp around the 24,000 mile mark the car seemed to fall apart. the passenger window sticks, the trunk stays full of water, the passenger side floor pan fills up with water once every 4 months, the coolant temperature gauge stopped working, the tachometer stopped working, the speedometer stopped working, and most concerning the steering joint in the steering column is bad. we contacted the local dealer at the time and they said there were no recalls. i do not feel safe driving my three children around in this car. a forty thousand dollar car should not have these many problems with so little mileage. i just find it hard to believe they have not recalled this vehicle. i am disgusted with general motors.

Reported in: MOLINO FL || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y94U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

the first sign of trouble was with the temperature gauge, then the tachometer. most recently the voltmeter and speedometer have started to fail.

Reported in: LAKEVILLE MN || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HY52K44U

AIR BAGS

tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac boneville. the contact stated that the air bag default warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted . the failure mileage was 82,000.

Reported in: HOWARD CITY MI || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K84U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. the contact stated that all of the warning and indicator gauges failed to work properly and would all provide a reading of zero. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a cluster gauge failure. the manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

Reported in: CHARDON OH || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HY54K54U

STEERING

steering wheel clunked & felt detached---car taken to gm dealership where it was found to have quote a "broken steering column." steering column part was replaced, part #26087952 column as 6,518. cost was $1516.58. car was delivered on 3/15/05 and has only 40,662 + miles.

Reported in: STRONGSVILLE OH || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HX52K84U

POWER TRAIN

in jan 2009 @ 72k miles on the car service engine light comes on and shortly after the trans. would bang into gear. per gm dealer it had codes p0756 and p2763 calling for replacement of shift solenoid. in sept. 2010 @ 108k miles the exact same issue and code, replaced the same part. now in feb 2012 @137k miles again the same exact issue and codes, but this time they are saying to replace the trans. the first 2 times i went to the same dealer, this time i went to another. issue i have is it sounds like this should have been replaced at 72k while under an extended 5 year, 100k mile warranty. gm is unwilling to admit any fault or defect. i feel that this part failing 3x within 65k miles is an issue and should be investigated. also looking thru some of the history i see this same type of issue in the 2003 cars.

Reported in: SICKLERVILLE NJ || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y04U

SERVICE BRAKES

steel brake line started leaking.

Reported in: CROYDON PA || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y74U

STEERING

tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. the contact stated that the steering wheel would intermittently exhibit a clunking sound. additionally, the steering wheel would seize for a few moments before independently resuming normal function. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be duplicated. the manufacture was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 42,000. the current mileage was 72,550.

Reported in: COLUMBUS OH || Crash: N || VIN #: 1G2HZ54Y54U

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

when the car would go over a bump the ignition switch would slide to the off position and all systems fail including the power brakes and steering. we have used 1 single key without a key ring since the the incidents but still feel unsafe.

Reported in: CEDAR RAPIDS IA || Crash: N || VIN #: