Before you buy
This 2004 Pontiac Bonneville has 28 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
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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2004 Pontiac Bonneville Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2004 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. 3 trims analysed.
2004 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.
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2004 has 28 NHTSA complaints, with electrical faults (11) and steering defects (8) as top issues. No recalls were reported. Buyers should inspect these systems before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- Bonneville
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 28
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 16 / 26
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Common problems
Most common 2004 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Steering Defects
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Steering Defects, Brake System. 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 2004 Pontiac Bonneville?
With no recalls but 28 complaints concentrated in electrical and steering systems, the 2004 Bonneville carries notable risk. Buyers should proceed with caution and insist on a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical faults and steering defects can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. These patterns indicate potential reliability issues that may surface after purchase.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer willing to invest time in inspecting and possibly repairing electrical and steering components.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a low-maintenance, worry-free used sedan should avoid the 2004 Bonneville due to its complaint profile.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
Inspection Focus
- Inspect all electrical systems, including wiring harnesses and modules.
- Check steering components for play, noise, or leaks.
- Test brake system for responsiveness and unusual sounds.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect electrical systems thoroughly.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake repairs.
- Test drive to check for steering play or electrical glitches.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 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
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville shows a low-confidence pattern of electrical faults (11 complaints) and steering defects (8 complaints). Brake, transmission, and airbag issues are also reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, the 2004 Bonneville has a moderate complaint count but lacks recall data for context.
Recall context: With zero recalls, buyers should still check for any open safety campaigns at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 11 of 28 total complaints.
- Steering defects account for 8 complaints.
- Brake system issues were reported in 3 complaints.
- Electrical Faults (11 complaints)
- Steering Defects (8 complaints)
- Brake System (3 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2004 Pontiac Bonneville complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 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 2004 Pontiac Bonneville. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
TROUBLE WITH WINDOW REGULATORS GOING BAD. RIGHT NOW MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE WINDOWS..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE …
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WE (WIDE AND I) NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. SINCE WE WERE IN A FARMING AREA WE DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT. ABOUT 20 MILES LATER THE SMELL LINGERED AND WE NOTICED SMOKE BEGAN FILLING CAR. PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND MY WIFE NOTICED SMOK…
WHEN THE CAR WOULD GO OVER A BUMP THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SLIDE TO THE OFF POSITION AND ALL SYSTEMS FAIL INCLUDING THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. WE HAVE USED 1 SINGLE KEY WITHOUT A KEY RING SINCE THE INCIDENTS BUT STILL FEEL UNSAFE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBIT A CLUNKING SOUND. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DE…
STEEL BRAKE LINE STARTED LEAKING. *TR
IN JAN 2009 @ 72K MILES ON THE CAR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANS. WOULD BANG INTO GEAR. PER GM DEALER IT HAD CODES P0756 AND P2763 CALLING FOR REPLACEMENT OF SHIFT SOLENOID. IN SEPT. 2010 @ 108K MILES THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND CODE, REPLACED THE SAME …
STEERING WHEEL CLUNKED & FELT DETACHED---CAR TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE QUOTE A "BROKEN STEERING COLUMN." STEERING COLUMN PART WAS REPLACED, PART #26087952 COLUMN AS 6,518. COST WAS $1516.58. CAR WAS DELIVERED ON 3/15/05 AND HAS ONLY 40,662 + MILES. …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING AND INDICATOR GAUGES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND WOULD ALL PROVIDE A READING OF ZERO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CLUSTER GAUGE FAILURE. THE MA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE WAS WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, THEN THE TACHOMETER. MOST RECENTLY THE VOLTMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE STARTED TO FAIL. *TR
HAVE A 2004 BONNEVILLE GXP AROUND THE 24,000 MILE MARK THE CAR SEEMED TO FALL APART. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STICKS, THE TRUNK STAYS FULL OF WATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN FILLS UP WITH WATER ONCE EVERY 4 MONTHS, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THE TACHOMETER ST…
A MASSACHUSETTES VEHICLE INSPECTION ON MY 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS RESULTED IN A SAFETY REJECTION OF THE VEHICLE FOR A WORN STEERING STUB SHAFT BEARING. PONTIAC IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN 04-02-32-001D MAR 09 (STEERING - STEERING GEAR STUB SHAF…
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. *TR
CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR-- TOOK IT IN TO A PONTIAC DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE PRESSURE REGULATOR SOLENOID WHICH IS THE SAME ISSUE THEY WERE HAVING WITH THE 2003 MODELS THAT HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS ON. I CALLED GM AND THEY AGREED TO COVER THE CH…
I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILE SE WITH 64,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID, WHICH ENDS UP CAUSING HARD SHIFTS AND CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, HAS FAILED, AND THE TRANSMISSION EITHER NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ALTOGETHER. IT IS A RATHER PRICEY F…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TIE ROD FAILED AND THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WERE FACING EACH OTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS A FOREIGN PART. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08…
I PURCHASED A 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILE USED. I WAS THE 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT THE CAR IN TOP NOTCH SHAPE! I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY 2007. AUGUST OF 2008 I STARTED NOTICING MY CHROME PLATED WHEELS PEELING, MEANING THE FINISH ON THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF …
POPPING IN STEERING - THE STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN AND THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD BY THE FIRST DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART BUT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER DAYS OF ARGUMENTS. WAS TOLD IT IS NOW A MAINT…
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER / GAUGES ARE FAILING. FIRST THE TEMP GAUGE QUIT, THEN THE VOLT GAUGE, AND NOW THE TACHOMETER. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE. *TR
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville.
Safety recalls
2004 Pontiac Bonneville recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville. With zero recalls, buyers should still check for any open safety campaigns at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time — confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Pontiac Bonneville buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 28 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. With no recalls but 28 complaints concentrated in electrical and steering systems, the 2004 Bonneville carries notable risk. Buyers should proceed with caution and insist on a thorough pre-purchase 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 2004 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (11 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (8 complaints). #3: Brake System (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 28 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2004 Pontiac Bonneville?▾
With no recalls but 28 complaints concentrated in electrical and steering systems, the 2004 Bonneville carries notable risk. Buyers should proceed with caution and insist on a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Electrical faults and steering defects can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. These patterns indicate potential reliability issues that may surface after purchase. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults 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 2004 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.