Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
With the key turned to acc you can pull the car out of park without depressing the brake pedal. With the key turned to run you must depress the brake pedal to pull it out of park. Car is not running. Also checked 3 other Pontiac Bonneville's. One is a 2002 VIN # [redacted]. They all showed the same operating characteristics.
The car will from time to time accelerate on its own. On one occasion I took it to the shop after it had been doing for about a week, however on the day I took it to the shop it was not doing it and the shop couldn't find anything wrong with it. Recently it had been doing it for a couple days and the morning I was taking it to the shop, it would not do it so I did not take it because, as before, at the time there was nothing wrong with it. It seems to be an electronic or vacuum control problem. When it starts accelerating, I can put it into neutral and it will increase RPM's briefly then idle down. It is unpredictable when it will start doing. On a straight road, it will get up to about 55 MPH with my foot off the accelerator and cruise control off. If it starts doing again, I will take it to a shop right away.
For a short 2-3 wk period I noticed my transmission not performing normally. I observed 4-5 occurences of slow gear shifting in this 3 wk period and promptly scheduled a test of the transmission. The computer test identified an error that was explained as "inaccurate gear ratio", which means the computer told the transmission that car was traveling at inaccurate speeds. Therefore causing the gears to shift inaccurately. I scheduled a follow-up for the next week to leave the car with the repair shop for further, more comprehensive testing. Over that weekend, the car failed to shift into gear for the first time at a major/busy highway intersection. I did not have any gears and had to leave the car in the intersection, cross traffic, and call for assistance.
1. The transmission on our 2002 Pontiac Bonneville has had problems since purchase new. The dealer eventually sent the car to a local transmission shop but the problem has persisted intermittantly even after many complaints. The transmission slips, shudders on acceleration and shifts erratically. It will slip and then sometimes shift hard. 2. It is very dangerous to drive. The transmission will slip and then shudder as we are pulling into traffic. We have almost been t-boned several times. It has been getting worse lately and I fear that one of these times we will be killed by this proplem. I recently learned that general motors knew of this problem and actually issued a bulletin #0o-07-30-002b in July of 2002. The dealer should have been aware of this as we reported the exact symptoms to the dealer shortly after purchase. 3. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil out of the valve cover gasket and the spark plug wire retainer causing a misfire. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but failed to properly accelerate while driving. The contact stated that there were fumes inside of the vehicle which caused eye irritation. The contact stated that the TPMS, check engine, service engine, seat belt, and air bags warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, after refueling, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate fuel reading. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the spark plug retainer and valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. …
The automatic transmission intermittently would not engage or tries to engage on initial take-off. Serious concern when pulling into traffic, let alone being stranded. Transmission pan was dropped revealed metal shavings and gear teeth on the magnets and in the filter. The car has 48,400 miles on it and did not even make it to GM's recommended 50,000 mile fluid and filter change. GM refuses to pay 100% for their failure of the 'sun gear/carrier assembly' that self destructs. This model transmission is a 4t65e, and is used in Buick's, Chevrolet's, Oldsmobile's and Pontiac's. GM has issued a service bulletin on this exact situation. TSB #03-07-30-017 issued May 7, 2003.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 4t65e automatic transmissions. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence." a retaining clip, which secures the manual valve to the linkage of the transmission detent lever, can become loose under a combination of…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual valve/link assembly with a replacement manual valve/link kit, featuring a spring-type fastener.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission shift lever sequence
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (18), 2000 (18), 2001 (17), 1997 (16) and 1998 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Bonneville transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-089 (automatic transmission, Apr 26, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Bonneville transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (74 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (5).
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.