Most common 2002 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Share of the 89 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Bonneville complaints by model year
Best Bonneville years: 2005, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 1998, 1995, 2000. Compare all years →
2002 Pontiac Bonneville recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville:
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated March 12, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA recall number 08v-118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 Buick regal gs and Pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of GM's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from August 1996…
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
What 2002 Pontiac Bonneville owners say
Steering
The consumer lost steering control while driving at 45 MPH. The consumer was able to bring the vehicle under control without being involved in a vehicle crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the high pressure hose for the power steering assist erupted. The consumer was concerned since a similar incident occurred before. The intermediate steering shaft was replaced, both front window lift motors were replaced, water leaked in the front passenger door, there was an extreme amount of engine noise as well as heat and exhaust entering the passenger compartment, there was two inches of play in the steering wheel, the steering locked up, there was a lack of power steering fluid in the reservoir, high pressure hose fluid leaked all over the underside of the vehicle and throughout the engine, the upper nut and the bolt that held the intermediate steering …
Tl*- the contact stated that his 2002 Pontiac Bonneville is exhibiting the same failure with his steering column which he previously repaired when the vehicle had an odometer reading of 35,398 miles. The contact stated that his steering column feels loose, and does not respond readily to changes in direction. He did take his vehicle to dealership and was told that this is normal wear and tear on this vehicle. The contact has found several complaints on the NHTSA website for the same reasons. The contact gave several complaint # 1009722 and 10157566. The contact feels this is a safety issue and is afraid the steering column will separate while driving. The contact stated he did file a complaint with the manufacture and gave them a file # 71-467055915 with date of filing 01/10/07. …
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to smoke under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gaskets and valve cover failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Car will re-start on its own after key is removed. After parking and shutting off the car, then removing the key and opening the driver's door to exit: if you accidentally press the upper part of the lock button on the door (the unlock function) instead of pressing the lower part of the lock button (the lock function), the car will re-start itself. It then cannot be turned off because the ignition switch is already in the off position. The only way to shut off the engine is to jiggle the shifter.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The consumer lost steering control while driving at 45 MPH. The consumer was able to bring the vehicle under control without being involved in a vehicle crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the high pressure hose for the power steering assist erupted. The consumer was concerned since a similar incident occurred before. The intermediate steering shaft was replaced, both front window lift motors were replaced, water leaked in the front passenger door, there was an extreme amount of engine noise as well as heat and exhaust entering the passenger compartment, there was two inches of play in the steering wheel, the steering locked up, there was a lack of power steering fluid in the reservoir, high pressure hose fluid leaked all over the underside of the vehicle and throughout the engine, the upper nut and the bolt that held the intermediate steering …
2002 Bonneville: all 4 doors/windows have been re-sealed multiple times because rain water flows down the outside of the windows, then flows inside the door, and then flows into the car at the bottom of the car door, causing soaked carpeting (puddles) and mold. Sun-roof mechanical linkage has cracked and broken off in places. I bet I used the sun-roof only 10 times before this happened. Sunroof now closes crooked. Dealer cost estimate to fix = $1200. All 4 power window units have been replaced and now doors rattle; right passenger door trim falls off routinely. Wiper fluid motor would not shut off. Crunching sound when I turn the steering wheel. All of these issues started occurring shortly after warranty expired.
2002 Pontiac Bonneville engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville a good car?
Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Bonneville rates average: 39% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Bonneville at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?
The steering — 19 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about column. Next are the engine & cooling (14) and windows, wipers & sunroof (13).
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, the most recent from July 1, 2003 (tank assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Bonneville?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998, 1995 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Bonneville years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Bonneville problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.