Model year guide

2003 Pontiac Bonneville

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 25 on record.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Pontiac Bonneville at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints67
Combined19–21 mpg
Typical price$1,650

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #03V238000 · manufacturer #03038 · 01/07/2003

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 A…

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #02V222000 · manufacturer #02032 · 09/08/2002

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.

Fix: 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 CONTA…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,775
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Forced inductionSupercharged
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville worth?

Low
$550
Typical price
$1,650
High
$3,300

From 23 comparable 2003 Pontiac Bonneville listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$900
Total$19,775
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,650) with the same model 5 model-years older ($730), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
202.8 in
Width
74.4 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
112.2 in
Curb weight
3,640–3,726 lb
Front track
62.6 in
Rear track
62.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 437

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 437.

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

Bulletin 23-NA-001 · Electrical System · Mar 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment…

Bulletin PIP5358D · Feb 2025

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723J · Electrical System · Oct 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in que…

Bulletin PIT3271P · Sep 2024

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exc…

Bulletin General Communication · Electrical System · Aug 2024

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce c…

Bulletin 16-NA-383 · Fuel/propulsion System, Engine · Jun 2024

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

Bulletin 18-NA-099 · Jun 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the BONNEVILLE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain Aurora, Bonneville SSEi, Devile and STS vehicles, the fuel tank pressure sensor is unusually susceptible to malfunctions causing excessive vacuum to be applied during self-diagnostic testing. Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Possible symptoms of this condition are illumination of the Service Engine Soon lig…

Transport Canada #2003165 · Jul 2003

Airbag

Certain vehicles may have a driver's side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the airbag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capacity of the bag to protect the driver. Correction: Dealers are to inspect and if necessary replace the driver side airbag module assembly.

Transport Canada #2002151 · Aug 2002

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Pontiac Bonneville

The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Pontiac Bonneville trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · SLE · SSEi
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

2003 Pontiac Bonneville vehicles on record

Other Pontiac Bonneville model years

2003 Pontiac Bonneville — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville?

Across all 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, engine and engine cooling.

What is the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville get?

The 2003 Pontiac Bonneville has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville worth?

Comparable 2003 Pontiac Bonneville listings run roughly $550–$3,300, typically around $1,650 (from 23 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.