Before you buy
This 2002 Pontiac Bonneville has 97 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Pontiac Bonneville Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2002 Pontiac Bonneville trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2002 Pontiac Bonneville Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville has 97 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- Bonneville
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 97
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Common problems
Most common 2002 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Visibility
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Engine Problems, Visibility. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?
This PONTIAC BONNEVILLE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The PONTIAC BONNEVILLE has 97 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 97 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 4 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2002 Pontiac Bonneville complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 VEHI…
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 PAR…
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 N…
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 …
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 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) IN…
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…
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 82,0…
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 SE…
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 295 IN NJ MY VEHICLE STALLED. THE STALLED AND ALMOST CAUSED A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI. THE VEHICLE AFTER 20 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP AND I DECIDED TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME BY TAKING BACK ROADS AWA…
I PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND MY KEY WOULD NOT GO TO OFF OR START. IT WAS STUCK ON ACC AND ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH OUT WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE T…
AS I WAS DRIVING, SMELLED WIRE BURNING AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AT THE HEADLINER THEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF, TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH INOP. I PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED KEY OFF. THEN NOTICED TWO WEEKS AGO THAT THERE IS NO POWER TO THE OBD-II. HAVE ABL…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A…
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). *TR
I HAVE TWO GM VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITION OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS CONDITION OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. UPON RE-START OF THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL (AND /OR THROTTLE ASSEMBLY) IS STUCK AND IT REQUIRES A LA…
BOUGHT A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 3 MONTHS AGO. WITHIN THE MONTH HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT & RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARMS AT 700.00. CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS START-UP FEELS LIKE IT IS CHOCKING. LASTLY THIS PAST WEEK AS I TURN LEFT AND SOMETIMES RIG…
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE. LOCATED ON STEERING COLUMN. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BE ADDRESSED. IT A FAILURE ON MORE THAN ONE MODEL OF GM CARS. ITS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2001 UP TO THIS DATE. SEEMS NHTSA HAS NOT NOTICED OR DONE ANYTHING TO MAKE GM CORRECT PROBLEM. GM HAS GONE …
MY 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS A BANGING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. I AM TOLD THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING MOTOR OIL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. HE WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT T…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville.
Safety recalls
2002 Pontiac Bonneville recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Pontiac Bonneville buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 97 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. This PONTIAC BONNEVILLE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
#1: Steering Defects (19 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (16 complaints). #3: Visibility (14 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 97 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
This PONTIAC BONNEVILLE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Bonneville reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.