On december 30, 2002 I took my 2001 pontiac bonnevelle sle in under warranty to peoria pontiac gmc to investigate vibration and a clunk noise in the steering column. The steering column was lubed by peoria pontiac gmc per gm's steering shaft bulletin. Mileage was 19,814. In december of 2004, the noise returned at approximately 50,000 miles. I took the vehicle in to peoria pontiac gmc on 12/04/2004 and was advised to have the steering shaft for greased for approximately $125.00 by my service advisor. On 12/6/2004 I phoned pontiac. They advised me to contact my dealer to order a new steering shaft. The pontiac service representative promised to reimburse me after the repair was made. On 2/8/2005 I contacted pontiac because the part is still not in at the dealer. I was advised gm has redesigned the part and that they do not have a delivery date. I do not have another vehicle to drive while waiting for the part and am concerned this is a safety issue.
2001 Pontiac Bonneville steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 31 of 31, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at 35 MPH vehicle lost steering ability. Vehicle would not turn left or right.
I have had repeated trouble with my 2001 bonneville,,have had 3 window motors go out,,,3 batteries go bad,,,air compressor go bak,,,moon roof worked on 3 times,,,3rd time,,,had 3 inches of water in floor,,,,,the problem now is the steering,,,you turn wheel,,it makes popping, clucking noise,,& feels like the front end is going to fall off.. The dealer said all it needed was grease,,which they did last year,,,now its doing it again,,& now they say its a steering shaft problem...I have been waiting for over 3 weeks for the part to come in,,,repeated calls,,& I am told they have no idea when the part will come in,,,they said drive it,,,it won't fall out????? They also said the reason for the delay is its a country wide back log???? What does that mead,,,,I am afraid to drive this car...& gm service does not know either...
While driving at any speed steering produced a loud thumping noise. Dealer stated that intermediate steering shaft failed intermittently. *ak...it would cost $300.00 to replace and lubricate it.
While driving and upon making right or left hand turns steering wheel made a popping sound. Two knuckles rubbed together which needed to be taken out and greased. *ak
Vehicle taken to dealer for oil change november 21,2004. Requested steering check because of popping noise in column. Vehicle had been checked and repairs made on jan. 25, 2002 for similar condition pursuant to factory tsb. Manner of repair has been updated, tsb 04-02-35-004, issued mar.,04. This is the third tsb issued regarding steering system. We feel "repair" is still under warranty and think recall be issued by simple nature of system involed.
Tie rod ends had to be replaced at about 15k miles, again at about 25k miles. Car now has 64k miles and needs to be replaced again. Also, I have had to have the steering shaft lubricated and/or replaced 4 times due to the clicking/grinding noise caused by defective shafts.
Tsb #100004353/steering column to instrument panel fastener removal: the consumer stated the problem recurred after the repair was made in march 2002. There was noise in the steering while driving and the vehicle would shimmy while driving at highway speed of 55-60 MPH. The dealer refused to make another repair. Please provide any further information concerning this issue.
Car has a grinding feeling when turning wheel.most noticeable when making left turns.also has clunking sounds as driving along felt thru steering wheel.problem first noticed when vehicle had approx 5,000 mi. /at 19,000 miles problem still exists.dealer has in past 2 years replaced hoses,rack & pinion ass'y,pump "o" rings,and steering column shaft twice.all done before first 24 months with less than 18,000 miles on veh./pontiac cust satisfaction convinced me to let them repair car once more back in february 2003.problem still present. Just brought car back to dealer again on nov 2003. Problem still there. Twice dealer claimed defect could not be duplicated,yet, after some complaining to do a road test with me in the car, the defect was confirmed by both technicians and the service dept general manager. Car is a lease. I offered twice in past to be allowed to terminate lease without any penalty fees and no further action on my part would be pursued (lemon law filing). Pontiac customer satisfaction dep't. And the dealer would not agree. Twice -after repairs -the steering wheel was put back incorrectly(crooked).currently steering wheel is still in crooked position and grinding/clunking still present.dealer offered on nov.19,2003 to let me walk away from lease if I start a new lease on a new 2003 car.(he" doesnt have any 2004 models to offer me "-he says) anyhow that offer is available to any consumer,there was no attempt by gm/pontiac/or dealer to satisfy me. There are several hundred complaints regarding steering defect from 2000-2002 that I have seen posted so far. I'm sure thousands exist .I believe pontiac should have a recall for this vehicle and this problem.they don't.
After the power steering rack was replaced in feb 2003, the intermittent clicking noise when turning resumed in april, 2003. Dealer unable to verify until september, 2003. Dealer replaced left outer tie rod (part 26067288 - rod kit 6.233). This did not solve the clicking noise when turning and on oct 7, 2003 the dealer replaced the intermediate shaft (part 26100571 - shaft 6.526). As of oct 7, 2003, the dealer has replaced the intermediate shaft twice and the power steering rack twice in an attempt to solve the clicking noise when turning.
Noticed intermittent clicking noise when turning. Dealer unable to verify until february, 3, 2003. Replaced the power steering rack (part 26099978 - gear kit 6.508), lubricated the intermediate shaft (part 26098237 - lubricant 8.800) and replaced power steering hoses (parts 26079289 & 25727230).
Noticed clicking noise when turning the wheel and felt knocking through floor boards. Disregard complaint 10047407 of 11/13/2001 as year and mileage incorrect. Dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft (part 26100571 - shaft 6.526) and lubricated the shaft (part 26098237 - lubricant 8.800).
Noticed clicking noise when turning and felt a knocking through the floor boards. Dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft (part 26100571 - shaft 6.526) and lubricated shaft (part 26098237 - lubricant 8.800).
Noticed intermittent clicking noise coming from front left engine area when turning. Dealer could not identify until 11/12/01. Replaced steering rack (part 26098782 - gear kit 6.508).
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.*ak 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. .
There is a cracking noise in the steering shaft when steering wheel is turned. Dealership replaced the part, but the problem still exists.
Steering column and tie rods need to be replaced in our 2001 pontiac bonneville with only 39000 miles and no accident.
The tie rod assembly failed, which caused the vehicle to jerk. *jb the vehicle shuddered before the replacement of the tie rod eads. There was play in t he tie rod eads, which allowed the front wheels to move freely without turning the steering wheel. Scc
Can hear and feel clunking noise (through steering wheel) while turning wheel and or braking or accelerating at low speeds. Also will feel and hear the clunk noise while the car is not in motion while turning the steering wheel. Dt
Tie rod ends are worn excessively, causing vibration and clunking in front end. Worn badly enough to possibly cause seperation. Dt
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 25 MPH, crashing into a light pole. Integrity of structure body damage has exceeded over $3600.00 compared to four star crash test rating given by the federal safety agency. Feel free to provide any further information.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Pontiac Bonneville?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history