2004 Pontiac Bonneville problems
The 2004 Pontiac Bonneville has 38 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (29%) concerns electrical system. After that come steering (21%) and brakes (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 38 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 34 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 34 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 43,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 40,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Bonneville with enough data (28 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
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.
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.