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2001 Pontiac Bonneville problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville is engine and cooling, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 2.4 times the complaints of a typical Bonneville model year.

Year to avoid2.4x the typical complaints
Year score
42/100
Owner complaints
129
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
384
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
20mpg

The worst 2001 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville

Steering noise 16Fire or smoke 13Harsh shifting 11Power windows 9Grinding brakes 8Stalling 7Airbag light 5Ball joint 5Jerking 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Engine compartment fireOpened June 12, 2007, closed May 1, 2008

By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle - the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.

EA07008

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville 384

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 384 bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville

2001 Pontiac Bonneville fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1726-2720

What 2001 Pontiac Bonneville owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 191,600 miles · TX · fire

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 my car anymore help me please.

Filed Aug 6, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 264,000 miles · NM

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 undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but failed to properly accelerate while driving. The contact stated that there were fumes inside of the vehicle which caused eye irritation. The contact stated that the TPMS, check engine, service engine, seat belt, and air bags warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, after refueling, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate fuel reading. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the spark plug retainer and valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v238000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 264,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Engine · IN · fire

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 department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 9, 2019 · Airbags · 178,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

My son was in a car accident and his airbags didn't deploy.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Engine · 94,000 miles · OH

Valve cover gaskets leaking oil can get on exhaust manifold causing an engine fire.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Brakes · 131,000 miles · FL

Steel brake lines have corroded to the point of failure. Vehicle will not stop. Brake fluid leaks

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CT · fire

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 destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Oct 1, 2015 · Engine · 150,000 miles · WA · fire

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 flame then smoke out of engine. The engine hood was closed since the battery is located under the back seat or this could have been fatal or a serious injury. The flame must have been extinguished by the fluids? When we opened the hood after a short period, we found that their was some type of explosion in the engine. The vehicle was stationary and in my driveway

Filed Aug 11, 2015 · 100 miles · WI

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 miles per hour the car shakes really bad I took it back to the dealership and they told me they did not have a mechanic to look at it and it happen to me 3 times when I took it there.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Steering · 114,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac bonneville. While driving 25 MPH making a right turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

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Compare the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville

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Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville

Is the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

Owners have filed 129 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, 2.4 times a typical Bonneville model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville year score?

The 2001 Pontiac Bonneville scores 42 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Bonneville: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville?

Engine and cooling, with 31 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is steering (31).

How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Pontiac Bonneville have bad engine?

The Pontiac Bonneville model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (200 complaints), 1999 (60 complaints) and 1995 (56 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 26-27 highway.

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