2001 Pontiac Bonneville: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Dec 5, 2010 · Steering · 110,000 miles · CA

Steering shaft on my 2001 bonneville ssei making grinding and clunking noise. The sound is more noticeable at lower speeds below 20 MPH. I have head from other bonneville owners this is an ongoing expensive problem. The design of the steering shaft seems to be flawed.

Filed Jun 13, 2009 · Body, Visibility · 65,000 miles · FL

When the rear window motor of 2001 bonneville fails, it causes the window to lower even though it is in the fully raised position. The window position was not being changed at the time. It was just a sudden clunk sound from the back seat and the window went down. This happened when driving at night in very heavy rain, on the interstate with infant in the rear seat. This may seem like a minor item, but if we had been in a north dakota snow storm, temp. Of 5 degrees and wind chills even worse.. The situation would have been life threatening. The window should be designed remain in it's selected position in the event of motor failure. The second rear window failed in the exact same manner about 4 months after the first..no baby on board this time.

Filed Feb 8, 2007 · Engine, Fuel system · 31 miles · VA

I have had a steering problem since I purchased my 2001 bonneville se. I have a document id #01-02-32-001a that states 2000-2002 pontiac bonneville has a clunk noise from front of steering wheel rotation (lubricate intermediate shaft). After months of getting a run-around duke pontiac in suffolk va finally diagnosed my problem and lubricated the shaft on 03/01/02. The noise stopped for about a year or so and has been getting worse. It now feels like the car has a safety issue because it is hard to control at low or higher speeds. I was advised by perry buick -pontiac 10/05/06 that the noise I'm hearing is from the intermediate shaft. I also experienced low fluid levels that was detected on 8-16-05 when I got an oil change from tune up plus. I then went to perry buick-pontiac and was charged $376.62 to replace upper intake manifold and the work order was noted that the coolant reservoir was empty. After investigating I found that there was a notice in 2003 that pertains to engine coolant leak at the upper intake manifold to throttle boby gasket. It states that the condition could result in low engine coolant level and higher engine temperature. I feel that general motors should replace the intermediate shaft because I still own the car and am having the same problem that I feel is a threat to my safety and to those who ride with me. I also feel that general motors should reimbursed me the $376.62 that I paid 8-18-05 to have the manifold replaced. I also had a fuel leak oct 5,20005 and am not sure if that was not related to the problem aforementioned.

Filed Sep 6, 2006 · Driver assistance, Steering · 5,000 miles · MS

I have a 2001 pontiac bonneville ssei. I have had this car in and out of the shop numerous times for the "check stability system" warning and a "clunking" noise in the left front area. It makes noise primarily in a turn or going over a bump. I have had the front left wheel bearing/assembly replaced as well. The last mechanic was puzzled and frustrated at the fact that he cannot figure our what is making the noise. I believe that this is a defect and gm should issue a recall and fix the problem for the consumer. Gm wonders why their sales a slacking....maybe they should take better care of their customers. Makes me think I should have bought a toyota.....

Filed Jun 4, 2005 · Steering · 22,346 miles · MI

Oct. 6,2002 was first trip to dealer reporting clunk in steering when turning, mileage 22,346. Diag. Noise from steering shaft r & r and lubbed shaft. Nov. 14, 2003 second trip to dealer for noise in steering, mileage 35,423. Noisey slip joint r&r intermediate shaft and lube as per bulletin #1-02-32-001c e7700a 1.2. These were both covered under warranty. June 2, 2005 returned for a third time to the dealer because of clunking in the steering when turning. Warranty has now expired at 57,632 miles. I was told when I set the appt. This would be at no cost to lube again, because of my two other occurrences. After spending an hour at the dealer, I was told I could either have the shaft lubed again at a cost to me of $120.00 or I could have it replaced at a cost to me of $260.00. They would not cover the expense because they said it had been so long since the last occurrence. I will be contacting the customer assistance center to see what they will offer.

Filed Feb 19, 2005 · Steering · 19,814 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2004 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · MI

Clunk noise coming from the front of the vehicle during turning maneuvers.

Filed Nov 30, 2003 · Steering · 5,009 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jan 3, 2003 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · PA

I bought a new bonneville ssei last year and have had constant brake problems since the day I bought the car with the front end which included the steering and the brakes. I've had three steering sensors and one power steering box replaced and it is still clunking. I have had all four rotors cut, all four rotors replaced and two complete sets of brakes put on the car and I had my car inspected today and I was told I need another set of new brakes. All in less than 30,000 miles. If you look at the service record on this car I have had nothing but problems from the day I bought the car. Ts

Filed Nov 24, 2002 · Steering · GA

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

Filed Oct 29, 2002 · Steering · AR

Tie rod ends are worn excessively, causing vibration and clunking in front end. Worn badly enough to possibly cause seperation. Dt