2004 Pontiac Bonneville Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 39%of 28 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville, 39% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 smoke coming out from back seat. I took the seat off and discovered there was a fire going on in there. Pulled back seat out onto ground and put that fire out. Upon inspection we found the fuse box to be burned and melted. Obviously the care doesn't run any longer.”
NHTSA complaint #10653652, filed 2014-11, 135,000 miles“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 stopped working, the speedometer stopped working, and most concerning the steering joint in the steering column is bad. We contacted the local dealer at the time and they said there were no recalls. I do not feel safe driving my three children around in this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10311692, filed 2010-02, 24,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10249725, filed 2008-11, 53,932 miles“Component failure-gauge cluster panel-2004 Pontiac Bonneville se 1. Failure - temp gauge failures prompted a computer check engine reading that stated the temp sending unit was probable cause. Dealer ewing buick-Pontiac did not have part, referred to reliable chevrolet who sold us the part as specified in tech pub but was not the correct sending unit. Compared the old one to another year model and located an identical sending unit within 48 hours but this did not fix the temp gauge. …”
NHTSA complaint #10175020, filed 2006-12, 43,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10212952, filed 2007-12, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 30% |
| 2004 | 11 | 39% |
| 2003 | 10 | 19% |
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 2000 | 32 | 15% |
| 1999 | 22 | 15% |
| 1998 | 28 | 10% |
| 1997 | 28 | 19% |
| 1996 | 21 | 14% |
| 1995 | 40 | 16% |
| 1994 | 19 | 22% |
| 1993 | 18 | 13% |
| 1992 | 17 | 15% |
| 1991 | 2 | 9% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 4 | 14% |
| 1988 | 5 | 29% |
| 1987 | 4 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
8 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology