21st Jun 2004, 08:49

I recently purchased one and have been mostly pleased as the rest of you. However, I did have a problem with the trunk leaking badly when closed. The dealership took care of that. I have also had a problem with my brakes squealing horribly. I have been told there is nothing wrong with the brakes, but it is very annoying to me and people I drive by. If anyone knows of any solutions to this I would greatly appreciate any help I could get.

25th Aug 2004, 11:07

The brakes squealing are typical of all GM cars now. I have had an Alero, Grand Am and Chev Silverado and they all have had the same problems. What it is, are the rotors at night or after a rain and not driven for a while will create rust on the outside walls. When we first put on the brakes you will notice a grinding or a squeal. THis will go away after driving for a bit, but there always seems to be a slight sound coming from the brakes.

Another typical problem is if the pads wear down too much or if NEW pads are installed, they may rub on the most outer rim of the rotor. THis can easily fixed by litghtly removing the buildup on the outer rotor with a pick hammer.

I hope this helps. I learned a lot from my Alero (what a lemon) went through 2 engines and numerous trips to the dealer. THe best thing was getting rid of it.

Just traded in my silverado for a Bonnie. Love the look and the ride. I have heard nothing, but good things about the 3.8L engine.

Take care all.

Tim from Canada.

30th Sep 2004, 13:15

I had a 2001 Bonneville ssei. It was a gorgeous car, but I only had it a month because it caught on fire while going down the road and burned completely up. I had to warning of what was to come and luckily I got out alright. If anyone has had anything like this happen please let me know. Thanks,

Catherine.

14th Dec 2005, 21:57

What the most likely cause of your brakes squealing is that the rotors are glazed. That comes from when you do a lot of braking. To have this fixed is too lightly use sandpaper and sand off the glaze.

14th Jul 2006, 16:15

First never take sandpaper to any part of your car, the glaze can be taken away by braking very hard from high speeds. Second my Trailblazer had the squealing brake problem and it was because of the organic brakes or something like that.

19th May 2010, 21:34

I currently own a 2001 Bonneville SSEi. I love the car to death and would not give it up for any other car out there. But I do have a slight problem that I am trying to get fixed immediately.

One day I came out to start the car, and instantly cut it back off. Came back out after ten minutes and cut it back on, only to find out that my turn signals, rpm and mph hands aren't working, my trip and odometer reading are not working, my compass does not work and my service engine light went off after being on for six months. In the message center it says service air bag, calibrate compass, low fuel, and check tire pressure. And I can't access my personal setting or calibrate the compass or reset the tire pressure. When I press the button it does absolutely nothing.

I've tried to change fuses, but none of them were blown. Can anyone tell me what and how this can be fixed?

20th May 2010, 13:54

Commenter above.

I had a 1990 SSE, lots lights and gadgets that we're nice when they worked. I think your compass and Driver Information Center (DIC) displays are gone. In the summer time my display worked all the time. But when fall and winter came they never worked.

One time my entire turn signal lever fell off in my hand and I had no signaling ability or wipers. My mechanic got the housing and parts from a junkyard and I never had a problem since.

Chances are the displays aren't sold anymore; the one possibility I would suggest is to go to a junkyard with a SSEi that's been totaled and take the parts you need.

13th Jul 2022, 11:18

The side airbags were only standard in the SSEi and later GXP Bonnevilles. The side airbags were optional for the SE and SLE and they only protected the torso, not head and torso like in a similar era Nissan Maxima, for example.