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.
Pontiac Bonneville fuel gauge problems
18 of the 1,902 owner complaints about the Pontiac Bonneville describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 82,449
By model year
- 20052
- 20042
- 20021
- 20011
- 19992
- 19981
- 19974
- 19961
- 19952
- 19941
- 19931
Often reported together
Stalling 3Check engine light 3Transmission failure 1Steering noise 1Overheating 1
What owners say
All the lights on my panel malfunctioning my fuel gauge is malfunctioning the airbag light stays on check engine light check tire pressure check oil all the lights stay on and I can't reset the panel I'm also having an issue with the car stopping when I put my foot on the brake it turns off
Fuel gauge quit working
I was driving on the new york thruway and all of a sudden, my car shut off. I had to power steer, no power brakes, the fuel gauge read no fuel and the bells went off. I had to try to get to a safe place and restart my car. This has happened many more times. I can be going 25mph or 70mph; I can have the cruise on or off; I can have the heat or A/C on or off, it does not matter; in all cases, the engine shuts off when I am not expecting it.
The fuel gauge of the vehicle goes all way down to "e" then can spike back up to "full" especially after filling the tank completely. The gauge also will randomly drop and stay on "e" when there is about 1/4 tank of gas left.
2002 pontiac bonneville se 2 defects 1) "clunking" of steering shaft - has been replaced more than once 2) gas gauge stop working after 4 year (2006).
2004 pontiac bonneville speedometer, fuel gauge and temp gauge have all malfunctioned. Web research has shown that this has become a common problem in gm vehicles, but gm does not acknowledge the problem.
Component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 pontiac bonneville se 1. Failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. Dealer "ewing buick-pontiac" did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. Compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. The car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. Dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. Only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650.00 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. Service writer suggested I wait until warning lights indicate a problem. Next day the tachometer gauge began failing. You could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. The car was purchased as pre-owned gm certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. I have only owned 2 pontiacs in my driving history but most vehicles I have owned were gm products and I have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my bonneville purchased jan 2005. This car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern.
The transmission failed at ~76,000 miles. Replaced at gm dealer with a remanufactured gm unit. 06/23/2001. Brake failure - warning light at 81,728 miles. Replaced master cylinder and rear wheel cylinders. Antilock brakes have always behaved strangely at times but have never failed to stop the car in a reasonable distance. 09/22/2001. Engine failure at 82,449 miles. Replacement engine installed at independent repair shop for $1400.00. . Repair leaking genuine gm replacement transmission. Side cover leaks severely, dealer advises out of warranty period and repair cost of $300+ for side pan gasket. Problem solved at local transmission shop (mr. Transmission) for $92.95. In addition the following no longer function or function improperly: fuel gauge does not work, refill based on mileage driven. Also the fuel pump whines very noticeably, can be heard plainly in the vehicle over the radio. Cost for repair of both at dealer: $600+ depending on parts required. Steering wheel controls for the radio do not function. Automatic headlight control will not turn headlights off after turning them on. Result - battery replacement. Now leave the control in the off position. Spring loaded center console door latch failed causing console door to remain open. Replaced console door and two vents that had broken for $124.66. Console door latch failed approximately one year later (same failure). Removed door spring so door now stays closed. Drivers side door lock jams when using key fob, have to use passenger side door. No longer use key fob, door unlocks properly when using the key. Within the past year the paint has began to peel on the top of the rear quarter panels and roof. I had a flat tire and went to retrieve the jack, which is located in the passenger side of the trunk. The jack is stored in a plastic case that is bolted to a bracket. Only one weld was made during manufacture allowing the bracket to break loose. The jack case now just lies in trunk.
Fuel gauge system is not working at all. Vehicle was bought used.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
- Risk
- The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V090000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain cadillac deville and seville passenger vehicles, funeral coaches, and limousines equipped with a v8 (4.6l) engine, oldsmobile aurora passenger vehicles equipped with a v8 (4.0l ) engine, and pontiac bonneville ssei passenger vehicles equipped with a supercharged v6 (3.8l) engine, the fuel tank pressure sensors are unusually susceptible to malfunctions. If the sensor malfunctions, excessive vacuum can be applied during self-diagnostic testing.
- Risk
- Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank pressure sensor. Owner notification began on october 17, 2003. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V238000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Questions about the Pontiac Bonneville fuel gauge
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (4 complaints), 1995 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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