I have had the same ongoing problem since the car was bought. The transmission solenoid vale has been replaced 3 times. There was a new transmission put back in the car. I still have the same problem. I have put so many repairs to this same problems. Not to mention all sorts of other repairs. I think this car is a lemon .
Pontiac Bonneville transmission failure problems
24 of the 1,902 owner complaints about the Pontiac Bonneville describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 78,600
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Slipping 4Check engine light 2Jerking 1Headlights 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac bonneville. While driving at 55 MPH the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle sped into full throttle. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into reverse in order to stop the vehicle. The failure contained no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and when the mechanic started the vehicle, it was still at full throttle. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The current and failure mileage was 110,000.
2002 bonneville with 81,284 miles went into service 2/29/00. Transmission failed on 3/15/2007. Always serviced at pontiac dealer and no prior transmission problems. Pontiac refused any help with the problem, but the service department indicated there was a technical bullentin on this problem.
The vehicle's transmission failed. *ph
I bought my 1996 bonneville new in that year. Around 20,000 miles the transmission failed and was replaced by the dealer under warranty. At 145,000 miles I noticed the transmission slipping and a smell of burnt fluid. Took the car into the dealer. They flushed and replaced the trans fluid stating the fluid was burnt (meaning not useful any more). I had the fluid changed a couple of times during the life of the car as I also insure all maintenance is done. That flushing lasted about 1,000 miles before the trans began slipping again and this time the check engine light came on. The result was my 3rd transmission at a cost to me of $2,500. I realize I have a lot of miles on the car/engine/trans but with proper maintenance, as I've done, I would expect a longer life from the transmission!
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.
Consumer bought the bonneville in august, since then it has been in repair shop 7 times. The first four times were for transmission failure. They replaced the pressure control valve and throttle body. The remaining visits were for 4 fuel injection system failures, injector coil failures melted 4 spark plug wires. Also, water pump started leaking.
The transmission failed at 46,600 and had to be replaced.
Transmission doesn't fully engage while pulling into traffic from a cold start. High likely hood of being broadsided if car slowly moves 10 feet then stops moving. 1st reported june 04, 2001, 17100 miles dealer could not reproduce. 2nd report sep 18 2001. 24167 miles problem had persisted, then transmission failed and had to be towed in for service. Dealer found internal damage with carrier bearing. 3rd report oct 17 2002 38739 miles cold shudder still occurs. Dealer found damage with torrington bearing out of warranty. Gm covers most of expense owner pays $600. 4th report nov 4 2002 38897 miles problem still persists. Dealer replaces selenoids and valve assembly cost is covered by gm. Dealer has been responsive to address issues, but I feel that the underlying problem first occured under warranty and I should not now have to share $600 of the repair cost, especially since the problem is safety related with a foreseeable of broadside accident if it occurs again. At this point I feel gm should reimburse me the $600, and agree to replace the car with no financial loss (better than just a normal buy/sell arrangement) if the problem reoccurs. Dt
At freeway speed (2200 RPM) vehicle would surge repeatedly as if driver was quickly pressing and releasing gas pedal. Occasionally transmission would go into neutral and engine would rev to 4000 RPM. Letting the car coast for 10-15 seconds seemed to get the transmission back into operation. Dealer reported "found fluid black (burned very bad) recommend to replace with srta. Replaced trans with srta." so far no more problems after dealer replaced transmission.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 4t65e automatic transmissions. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence." a retaining clip, which secures the manual valve to the linkage of the transmission detent lever, can become loose under a combination of possible driver shifting maneuvers and allow the link to become disconnected from the manual valve.
- Risk
- If the link disconnects, the driver's indicated prndl state may differ from the hydraulic state of the transmission. If the driver selects 'drive' and the transmission is actually in 'reverse', a vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the manual valve/link assembly with a replacement manual valve/link kit, featuring a spring-type fastener.
Recall number 99V089000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
- Risk
- Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
Recall number 96V015000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
- Risk
- The driver can place the gear shifter in the parkposition without setting the parking brake and the transaxle may not actually bein park, resulting in unexpected vehicle movement if the vehicle is stopped on agrade. Also, the driver can place the gear selector in drive or reverse withoutturning the engine off and the transaxle may not be in the position indicated,causing the vehicle to move in the opposite direction. Both conditions canresult in a vehicle accident without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Install two transaxle shift control cable retaining clips.
Recall number 91V198000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from shift control cable bracket, causing loss of gear indicator reference, and shift selector operation.
- Risk
- The disengaged cable could falsely indicate transmissiongear position, and the vehicle might be left in reverse or drive when the drivermoved the gear selector to park or the opposite direction. A vehicle left on anincline without parking brakes when the gear selector is placed in park couldmove. Either case results in unexpected vehicle movement without prior warningand could cause a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on the shift control cable bracket on top of transaxle.
Recall number 91V131000 · Recall details
Questions about the Pontiac Bonneville transmission failure
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (5 complaints), 2000 (5 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).
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