21st Aug 2007, 16:45

My 2000 Bonneville is beautiful and so comfortable. But I too have had the steering problem. Took it to Pep boys and they won't touch front end work till the popping sound in the steering is resolved. I don't think my dealership knows how to resolve it!!!

And, the fuel guage quit working- another expensive fix.

Also had to have both rear window motors replaced- not under warranty- but the replacements have a lifetime warranty!! Why can't they use the good ones in the first place and have a lifetime warranty on those?

Frustrated.

8th Sep 2007, 19:10

I have owned my 01 SSEI for 15 months now, had the Intermediate steering shaft replaced 16,000 miles ago and all is well. All of the problems mentioned are pretty common and easy fixes by yourself, except for the $2000 catalytic converter. What is up with that? Somebody got rich off that. Overall a very good car and a blast to drive.

28th Sep 2007, 11:45

I have a 2000 Bonneville SSEI and I am very happy with it. I have 160k and it looks like I will get another 100. I have the trunk leak problem though. I am pretty handy and could probably fix it myself if I knew where the problem was.

By the way, you should be able to get a catalytic converter for less than $500 (Don't go the dealer).

16th Nov 2007, 08:56

2001 Bonneville SSEi 90K miles.

Nice car, but have had the rack and pinion replaced twice and now it needs it again. several electrical problems too.

27th Nov 2007, 06:20

I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI. I have had problems with the steering as well. I have taken it in because of popping noises coming from the steering as well as a banging noise when I hit bumps. They originally had lubricated the immediate shaft, which they informed me was not covered under my extended warranty. 1 1/2 years later I am having the same problem, this time they informed me that Pontiac has released a new and improved intermediate shaft, unfortunately my extended warranty will not cover that. Does the fact that a new part was redesigned indicate their acknowledgement of a bad part in the first place? I am furious with Pontiac and will never purchase another Pontiac.

17th Feb 2008, 13:22

Just got a 2001 Pontiac SSEI. Real nice car with every possible option on it. I have a click or popping noise in the steering wheel, every time I accelerate or hit the brakes. I would not be surprise if I have the same issue as others that have left comments here. Is got 113,000 miles on it. I wonder if dealer can help me with out me breaking the piggy bank... Anyone knows ANYTHING, please list a comment for me and others. Thanks.

9th Apr 2008, 13:31

I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi... same noise... rack and pinion replaced at 90k... now at 125k it's make the same noise... at least it is nice to know what to look for... a common problem... I hope the repair is not commonly expensive... other than that I love my car...

21st Apr 2008, 08:47

I have a 2003 SSEI, love the car, love the look and the feel - when it's not in the shop. Bought it at Carmax just over a year ago with 25k miles. Has had the intermediate shaft replaced 3 times and some other miscellaneous drivetrain repairs. Pulled out of the garage yesterday, it's leaking transmission fluid again!!! This car is garage kept, in perfect condition with only 34k miles on it. It's driving me crazy... I spoke with Pontiac, they stated they still do not have a problem solving solution to the drivetrain problem. The transmission repair mechanic told me that a lot of the problem is that when Pontiac designed the SSEI, they did not beef up the drivetrain to handle the added torque the supercharger delivers. I agree...

13th Oct 2008, 14:35

I own a 2001 SSEi, bought it 2003 and have 180K on the car.

Numerous problems with the car, from leaks in the trunk and also I figure through the sun roof, since the carpet is always wet because of the foam padding underneath the carpet. Which freezes in the winter and plays havoc with the wiring harness below the carpets.

Front end/suspension breakdowns, intake manifold problems, an exhaust flex pipe problem that the dealer has no part for, dash lights/instrument lights burning out, window regulators breaking down, CD pack errors BLAA, BLAA, BLAA!

I would buy one but trade it in 3 to 4 years max! For the price of the car, not really worth it.

Maybe that's why it was discontinued!

We'll see if the G8 is a worthwhile replacement, personally I'm sceptical!

21st May 2009, 16:16

I bought a 2001 SSEI in June of 2008. I have had problems since the day I have owned it. There have been air conditioning leaks, steering pump and power steering leaks, injector problems, manifold gasket, cam issues, and trany issues. This is the second bonneville I have owned and my mother owns one as well. Thanks to my extended warranty I bought with the car, I have only paid about $700 in co-pays. The dealership has not been helpful in resolving issues. I have owned 9 gm vehicles out of 11. My father and most of my family work/worked for GM. Unfortunately I will never buy another GM product. This is part of the reason they are in the spot they are in.

23rd May 2009, 21:01

Wow, you guys are all scaring me... This is the second Bonneville I've owned; the first one was an SE that was with a bank.. I lost my job and the car was repossessed..

Any how, after taxes this year I went and bought a 01 SSEI supercharged, and I've pretty much babied it from day 1.

I guess now what I've learned tonight is to get the steering wheel lubricated after reading various comments, but other that that I think it's a pretty hot car... And boy did I get it for a deal.. Any how, the point is take care of your car and it will take care of you... just do what I do and look at your car as a human..

24th Jun 2009, 17:17

I have a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville with only 50,000 miles on it. To date the 2 rear window regulators went bad and now I have just been told that the Rack needs to be replaced for $1500. Not sorry to see Pontiac go down at all.

25th Aug 2009, 05:10

I own a 2001 Bonneville with 190,000 miles on it. It's been a dependable car as far as the engine goes. Except for the trunk leaks.

The window regulators have broke twice on all 4 windows.

The power steering pump has a leak.

The engine leaks oil really bad, and the transmissions torque converter sensor went bad.

The front end has had numerous problems and the lights on the dash are fading out.

The fuses keep blowing and I've had numerous sensors replaced on the engine.

The check engine light stays on and the EGR valve has gone bad.

I have put almost 3000 dollars into this car and it will still cost me another 2000 dollars to fix the transmission. I went and bought a Monte Carlo. I've owned Monte Carlos before and never had a problem. I'll never buy another Pontiac again. I only paid 6000 dollars for the car when I bought it. I lost a lot of money over the last 4 years trying to keep it going. I should have just bought another car a long time ago and I would have saved money.