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 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville, and it carries 2 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 | 9 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 10% |
| Engine | 5 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Look at the car the car is located [XXX] first of all you start off as a passcode 2 system and then it says passcode 3 system on the thing and I just don't want to deal with this because you have the cut off switch you h
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, SMOKE EMERGED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2003, HAVE HAD 5 DIFFERENT SERVICE TECHS, INCLUDING DEALER LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX OR FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
BURNT SMELL AFTER RUNNING CAR. SERVICEMAN CHECKED AND OIL WAS LEAKING. NEED NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AS LEAKING ON MANIFOLD WILL CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM ITS PARKED LOCATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE CAR I DRIVE (3.8 LITER SIX CYLINDER) HAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE LEFT VALVE COVER. AFTER I COME TO A STOP OR MAKE A LEFT TURN, I SMELL OIL FUMES AND CAN SEE A LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I'VE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IND
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER O
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
Risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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-
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 9 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 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 67/100. 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.