Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 25 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 12% |
| Power train | 12 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 7% |
| Visibility | 10 | 7% |
| Air bags | 9 | 6% |
| Engine | 6 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BACK IN JANUARY 2020 UNDER THE HOOD ON MY WAY TO WORK THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE VALE COVER GASKETS AND NOW OIL IS LEAKING ON THE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND GAS IS MIXING WITH THE OIL AND I CAN'T DRIVE M
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND PRODUCED A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE FIRE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAKING OIL CAN GET ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
STEEL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. BRAKE FLUID LEAKS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I HAD LEFT MY LIGHTS ON AND BATTERY WENT DEAD. WENT TO JUMP THE VEHICLE AND CHARGE THE BATTERY. CABLES CONNECTED CORRECTLY. WHEN I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE LIKE A BACK FIRE BUT SAW A FLAM
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I JUST CURRENTLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH WHEN I GOT NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING WAS ON A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING THAT MY TRACK IS OFF ALSO WHEN I TRY TO GO OVER 50 MIL
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 25 of them (17%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.