VehicleVerdict

2000 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 301 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.7 times the median Bonneville year — the 2000 model ranks #3 of 36 Bonneville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (59), steering (58), and engine (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

301

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

23

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Bonneville years?

Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted359 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 24 complaints1988: 20 complaints1989: 35 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 26 complaints1992: 139 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 123 complaints1995: 330 complaints1996: 181 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 359 complaints1999: 176 complaints2000: 301 complaints2001: 179 complaints2002: 112 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 38 complaints2005: 37 complaints
Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bonneville years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers5920%
Steering5819%
Engine4314%
Electrical System3512%
Transmission196%
Brakes165%
Fuel System134%
Suspension124%
Body & Structure103%
Tires & Wheels83%
Airbags52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)52%
Seats52%
Speed Control41%
Lighting41%
Other31%
Seat Belts10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V090000Fuel SystemFebruary 24, 2004 · 910,873 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

00V114000BrakesApril 17, 2000 · 8,132 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.

Consequence

WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING, ANTILOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE IS ACTIVATED IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE FEATURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP AT ALL. THE WINDOW IS DOWN APPROXIMATELY AN INCH AND A HALF AND CANNOT BE ROLLED UP. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 14, 2007

“I FEEL THE RIGHT STEERING WHEEL CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, ON MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. IT IS CLOSER AND LONGER THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM ON THE LEFT. I REPORTED TO PONTIAC THAT ANY TIME I RAPIDLY STEER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, I HIT THIS ARM BEFORE THE WHEEL. THIS SLOWS MY RESPONSE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 13, 2004 · crash

“ WE ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE KNOWS OF PROBLEMS WITH GM PONTIAC BONNEVILLE'S PLASTIC UPPER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE OWN A 2000 BONNEVILLE WITH 83K MILEAGE. THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD EXPLODED WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR. WE ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS WITH GM AT THIS TIME. WE LEARNED THAT THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 19, 2008 · fire

“CONSUMER CRANKED ENGINE TO START AND HEARD A LOUD BANG OR POP. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS COMPLAINT WAS CALLED IN BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THE OWNER OF VEHICLE WAS KEITH ELLIS, 5708 SPRING LAKE DR. EVANSVILLE IN. [PHONE]. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 9, 2003 · fire

“TRANSMISSION DRIVE SPROCKET SUPPORT BEARING CAME APART AND DAMAGED CASE AND INSIDE TRANSMISSION; DEALER SAID TO DRIVE THIS FROM ILLINOIS TO MICHIGAN AND IF A PROBLEM OCCURED SOMEONE WOULD HANDLE IT, AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER STILL NEEDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 20, 2002

2000 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 301 complaints put the 2000 model at #3 of 36 Bonneville years. It is one of the Bonneville years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Bonneville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (59 complaints), steering (58 complaints), engine (43 complaints).

Does the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Bonneville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bonneville years to avoid are 1998, 1995, 2000, 1997, 1993, 1996, 2001, 1999, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 1990, 2004, 2005, 1989. The cleanest record among Bonneville years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.