NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,103 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Pontiac Bonneville transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Comments

problem #12

May 092008

Bonneville

  • 88,526 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All windows except drivers stopped working, all door locks except drivers stopped working. Car was stored for part of winter. I put in a new battery and now I have no climate control. Drivers side is hot, pass is cold. Pass heated seat does not work at all. Sun roof just broke! steering is making lots of noise, transmission seems to be slipping. Wtf why no recall. How can you purchase a car for 35,000 & it is "!@#$% before it hits 100,000? my Ford has 196,000 no problem, my Honda has 235,000 barely a problem. I have owned 4 Pontiac and now im paying thousands to fix the piece of ?!@#$%! why in the ?!@#$% do my windows not work!! all of them in one day? no door locks, at all? same day! now with a new battery, I have 90 deg air on the drivers side & 60 deg air on the passenger side. You try to drive this piece of ?!@#$%!! now my back passenger side window just fell down!! I have to use a magic marker to pry & hold it up!! we need a major recall on these faulty vehicles. Im a Pontiac fan, but ill never buy another one if you cant try and fix this ?!@#$%. my car looks like new but works like it was built by a bunch of idiots!! I am embarrassed to drive this car. It looks better than most 525 B-mirs but I have to tell all my friends that I have no door locks, no air, no windows or anything. Nothing like sitting inside a 135 degree leather bound flagship sweating your ?!@#$% off!! by the time I get to work im a big ball of sweat!! please stand behind your product. Im seriously looking to spend some of my money to promote a campaign to do nothing but talk ?!@#$%about your products. Get on line for a minute and see how many Bonneville owners are really having a hard time with the issues I have listed above! there are thousands!! time for a recall! don't U think? get your "!@#$% straight GM! my family works for you! we buy you please help!

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #11

Oct 152005

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,100 miles
Transmission abruptly failed after making a loud "bang" while driving at 70 mph on the interstate. This car had only 10,100 miles when this occurred. The transmission had to be replaced because the truss bearings broke apart causing the transmission to fail. The parts are available for inspection.

- Ashland, KY, USA

problem #10

May 052005

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
Transmission abruptly failed after making a loud "bang" while driving at 55 mph on the expressway. This car had only 24,000 miles when this occurred. The transmission had to be replaced because the trust bearings broke apart.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #9

Feb 202005

Bonneville 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While at an idle vehicle jerked forward when gas pedal was depressed. Also, the gear shifter would shift gears, but the vehicle wouldn't once the vehicle had came to a complete stop. The trust bearings broke apart and destroyed the transmission which caused the failure to occur.

- Highland, IN, USA

problem #8

Jul 232004

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles
The failure occurred without warning. While turning the key to start the engine, the car lurched forward. The vehicle was in park at the time. There was nothing in front of the vehicle so there was no collision. The car stopped and though the engine ran, the car would not move forward or reverse. The transmission input failed. The transmission was rebuilt by GM for a substantial fee.

- Freeland, MI, USA

problem #7

Feb 192004

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,650 miles
The shift solenoid and clutch solenoid got stuck on which caused the automatic transmission motor to burn out. This was marked by miimicking the neutral gear: The car would not move when accelerating either forward or reverse but the engine rpms would rise. The problem was intermittent at first, but was more noticeable in cold weather. After the vehicle warmed up, the transmission finally engaged suddenly. The vehicle only has 37,650 miles on it and GM is giving me a hard time about replacing it because it is past the 36,000 mile warranty. However, they will guarantee a remanufactured transmission for 50,000 miles.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 242003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission failed at 46,600 and had to be replaced.

- Alexandria, KY, USA

problem #5

Oct 152003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles
Transmission does not shift properly when the engine is cold. When you press the accelerator, the engine RPM rise rapidly, but the car barely moves. As the car warms up, the transmission finally engages, very roughly, and shifts roughly until the car is warm.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #4

May 312003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,400 miles
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.

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #3

Sep 122003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,456 miles
Consumer states while traveling at highway speed and without any indication engine started slipping and jerking. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed transmission needed to be replaced. First the transmission was reconditioned then the dealer replaced the shift solenoids. Breaks squeaked and made a rubbing and moaning noise. The joint on the steering shaft was binding. The steering shaft was replaced..

- Pocahontas, AR, USA

problem #2

Feb 072002

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My husband purchased a used 2001 Pontiac Bonneville from mcdonald Pontiac in saginaw, Michigan. We have had repeated problems involving the transmission, fuel pressure sensor, and now the paint is bubbling on the hood. We believe our car should be declared a lemon and another vehicle be supplied.

- Bridgeport, MI, USA

problem #1

Dec 182002

Bonneville

  • miles
There is a problem in the transmition, when the car is in park and want to shift to reverse the car does not move and feels like it is in neutral position. This problem was more noticable in mornings when the weather is cold. I took it to the dealer and they said that there is nothing wrong with it. I think there is a lot wrong with it.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

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