NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,453 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.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 102014

Bonneville

  • 81,000 miles

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

My car shuts off while driving. I notice it because power steering is hard to use and RPM's go down to zero and car has shut off. It started up again. This has been a real problem. Dealer tested car and said it was a crankshaft sensor. I replaced the crankshaft sensor and the problem continues. Cam sensor replaced too. This is a safety issue. No one knows why the car shuts off when it wants to. Now the car still shuts off while driving, but also it takes 2 to 3 times to restart. Still trying to figure this out. It is August 2015 and I need this car. Is this a recall issue?

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #5

Nov 012013

Bonneville

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle and all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the sunroof failed to operate, both side mirrors would operate independently and when the vehicle was started a whistling noise activated that would last for several minutes. The independent mechanic replaced unknown parts. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #4

Jan 202014

Bonneville

  • 7,300 miles
On 8/1/11 while driving I heard a loud noise like I had been hit by something so I pulled off the highway and noticed that my left rear window had dropped down by itself and I could not raise it by activating the switch. GM replaced the operator. On 12/13/13 my right front window operator failed and I shared the cost of the repair with GM. Now on 1/19/14 my right rear window operator has failed. I searched the internet and have found that many people have had this same problem. This vehicle has only 7300 miles on it and in my estimation should not have these problems. GM should have a recall for this problem.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #3

Aug 122009

Bonneville

  • 57,420 miles

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

2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI acdelco battery leaking acid onto floor pan, eating through the floor of vehicle. I purchased the vehicle used on 8/7/2009. Looked for the battery on 8/12/2009 and noticed a smell in the back seat. The battery is under the rear seat. The battery was leaking acid all over the floors, sheet metal and seat cushion. The acid opened a 4" dia hole so far while the rust and acid are consuming the entire width of the battery. I have read other people having the same problem. This is a huge safety concern for a few reasons. 1) acid eats the floor and allows the back, seat passenger vulnerable to road debris, potentially falling through the floor, etc. 2) the acid eats the floor causing the battery to fall through the vehicle, causing an accident to another vehicle from behind, including damage to the current vehicle. 3) as the battery falls through the floor, dangling from the car, scrapping on the road could potentially be a fire risk to fuel tank, passenger and/or vehicle itself. A recall is needed before serious injuries happen.

- Culloden, WV, USA

problem #2

Jun 012009

Bonneville

  • miles
I have a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. The blower motor had intermittent problems before going out. I took the vehicle to the local dealer who stated that the wiring harness connected to the blower motor for the heat/ac had melted and required replacing. I was lucky the car didn't catch on fire! this is a very expensive repair. A very quick search on the internet revealed that this is a common problem not only with Pontiac but many GM cars and trucks. Sounds like GM has installed inadequate wiring and all vehicles with this substandard wiring should be recalled and wiring replaced. Those who have suffered loss due to this substandard wiring should be reimbursed for GM's failure to install wire of sufficient gauge to handle the load of the blower motor. I am going to ask for the old wiring harness.

- Channelview, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 042003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle speaker located on the rear deck caught on fire. Shortly after purchase, while the vehicle was being operated, the speaker on the rear deck caught fire. The service dealer stated the problem was due to the electrical system and suggested the removal of all non-essential fuses and electrical connections immediately. (which was completed by the service dealer) the service dealer then suggested the vehicle had a defect and to return it to the selling dealer. The selling dealer refused to affirmatively identify the specific cause of the fire and insisted that the consumer continue to operate the vehicle. The consumer requested the dealer to give an explanation of the cause of the fire, copies of their ntsb, and a replacement vehicle. The service dealer refused to provide.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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