NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Pontiac Bonneville Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Pontiac Bonneville has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 89 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Pontiac Bonneville owner complaints

Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, describing incidents dated November 30, 2001 to July 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

Steering 19 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 13 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints
Power Train 7 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints

Of the 89 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 89 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11749235 · Filed July 9, 2026
The airbags did not deploy all the way my [XXX] is in the car as well and the driver side and passenger airbags did not deploy 100% it did cause me to end up having a cut on my face and abruzz eye I have pictures but I did not go to the ER but my [XXX] did cuz she had two cuts on her head it also…
ODI #11181996 · Filed February 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000. .*BF CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AN…
ODI #10864729 · Filed May 13, 2016
CAR WILL RE-START ON ITS OWN AFTER KEY IS REMOVED. AFTER PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR, THEN REMOVING THE KEY AND OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO EXIT: IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY PRESS THE UPPER PART OF THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR (THE UNLOCK FUNCTION) INSTEAD OF PRESSING THE LOWER PART OF THE LOCK BUTTON…

Read all 89 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA07-008: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Closed May 1, 2008
- Recall 08V-118
- Recall 09V-116
Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
- Recall 04V-090

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR

NHTSA #03V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 102,212 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03038 · Owners notified October 17, 2003 · Vehicles built February 4, 2002 – June 21, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03038.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR

NHTSA #02V222000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported August 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 133,221 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02032 · Owners notified August 15, 2002 · Vehicles built May 1, 2002 – July 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Safety consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 02032. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Pontiac Bonneville 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2 investigations

89 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville.

Air Bags

ODI #11749235

Crash

Incident: July 1, 2026 · Filed: July 9, 2026

The airbags did not deploy all the way my [XXX] is in the car as well and the driver side and passenger airbags did not deploy 100% it did cause me to end up having a cut on my face and abruzz eye I have pictures but I did not go to the ER but my [XXX] did cuz she had two cuts on her head it also shattered my windshield and something was leaking INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags

ODI #11181996

Incident: November 1, 2018 · Filed: February 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000. .*BF CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AN AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.*JB

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10864729

Incident: May 9, 2016 · Filed: May 13, 2016

CAR WILL RE-START ON ITS OWN AFTER KEY IS REMOVED. AFTER PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR, THEN REMOVING THE KEY AND OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO EXIT: IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY PRESS THE UPPER PART OF THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR (THE UNLOCK FUNCTION) INSTEAD OF PRESSING THE LOWER PART OF THE LOCK BUTTON (THE LOCK FUNCTION), THE CAR WILL RE-START ITSELF. IT THEN CANNOT BE TURNED OFF BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ALREADY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IS TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER.

Engine

ODI #10855555

Fire

Incident: June 16, 2015 · Filed: April 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKETS AND VALVE COVER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10734186

Incident: November 2, 2013 · Filed: November 18, 2014

IGNITION SWITCH, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE & SECURITY/THEFT MODULE WERE ALL REPLACED BECAUSE AUTO WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO THEIR FAILURE. THE MOBILE MECHANIC CHARGED $616.22 FOR PARTS, $1215.00 FOR LABOR & $13.08 FOR A HAZARDOUS WASTE FEE, TOTAL REPAIR WAS $1844.30. PLEASE SEND EMAIL SO I CAN SCAN DETAILED INVOICE OF REPAIR.

Electrical System

ODI #10725928

Incident: June 11, 2015 · Filed: June 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED, BUT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,529.

Air Bags

ODI #10649511

Incident: August 1, 2010 · Filed: October 23, 2014

I HAVE HAD A AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH FOR SOME TIME NOW (NOT SURE HOW LONG BUT A COUPLE OF YEARS OR MORE) AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DASH INDICATOR WITH THE RECENT AIRBAG RECALLS. MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH ANY SUCH RECALL NOTICES, HOWEVER SOME NEWS WEBSITES (LIKE CBS) INITIALLY INDICTED 2002 -2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE'S WERE INCLUDED IN THIS AIRBAG RECALL? THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT VEHICLES NEAR HIGHER HUMIDITY AREAS WERE THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED, SO THAT CONCERNED ME TOO, SINCE I LIVE ABOUT 8 MILES FROM THE PACIFIC OCEAN. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH MY AIRBAGS AND I'D LIKE THE GM/THE DEALER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT REPAIR, BEFORE ANY HARMFUL INCIDENTS OCCUR IN MY VEHICLE! *TR

Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10633472

Fire

Incident: October 12, 2013 · Filed: September 16, 2014

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND O2 SENSOR FAILURE CONSTANT. 10/2013 SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHILE IN MOTION12/2013 LEAKS IN LOWER GASKET VALVE...ENGINE IS EXTREMELY HOT MOST OF THE TIME 04/2014 SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON DUE TO O2 SENSOR FAILURE EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT 7/2014 INTERIOR LIGHTS CAUGHT FIRE 05/2014. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10619244

Incident: June 13, 2011 · Filed: August 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 3/6/2015 *JS

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10611278

Incident: April 26, 2014 · Filed: July 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE EXTREMELY ROUGH AS IF IT COULD HAVE STALLED WHEN THERE WAS A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL OR LESS. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Other Pontiac Bonneville model years

Check your 2002 Pontiac Bonneville VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Bonneville at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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