2004 Pontiac Bonneville
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Bonneville › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Pontiac Bonneville. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
28 complaints1 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Trouble with window regulators going bad. Right now my right rear window and door lock will not work. there should be a recall on these windows..
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred numerous of times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
Driving on highway, we (wide and i) noticed a smell of something burning. Since we were in a farming area we didn't think too much of it. About 20 miles later the smell lingered and we noticed smoke began filling car. pulled over to see what was going on and my wife noticed smoke coming out from…
Driving on highway, we (wide and i) noticed a smell of something burning. Since we were in a farming area we didn't think too much of it. About 20 miles later the smell lingered and we noticed smoke began filling car. pulled over to see what was going on and my wife noticed smoke coming out from back seat. I took the seat off and discovered there was a fire going on in there. Pulled back seat out onto ground and put that fire out. Upon inspection we found the fuse box to be burned and melted. Obviously the care doesn't run any longer. *tr
- 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 incidents but still feel unsafe. *tr
- 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…
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.
- Service brakes
Steel brake line started leaking. *tr
- 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…
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. *tr
- 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. *tr
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. *Tr
- Electrical system · Equipment · Latches/locks/linkages · 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…
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. *Tr
- 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…
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. *Tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/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. *Tr
- 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…
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. *tr
- 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). *Tr
- 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
- 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…
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. *Tr
- 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…
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. *tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/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. *tr
- 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…
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.
- 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
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v 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.
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system · Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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…
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
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v 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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11009156This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 11007744This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007743This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007208This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
- 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
- 11004557This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
- 11000576This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process.
- 10252735This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10252163XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation.
- 10251890This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
- 10250775This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
- 10249980This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new Pico Oscilloscope data has been saved email the data to General Motors Technical Assistance Center in the subject line include ?Vibration? ?Business Associate Code? and the last 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number.
- 10249579This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10249011This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10247780This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 10247681Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option.
- 10246952Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246951Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10245951Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States.
- 10245950Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States
- 10245395This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
- 10244274This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10244214This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10244201This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
- 10242298This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10242262This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
- 10240793This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
- 10236164This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10235802This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10235799This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10234141This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234110This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10232811This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10232156This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 10232136This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10230697This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
Every Pontiac Bonneville model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.