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2002 Pontiac Bonneville

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Bonneville.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Pontiac Bonneville is a passenger car equipped with a 4.5‑quart oil capacity and recommended 5W‑30 API lubrication, and it is paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission that delivers EPA‑rated 16 city/25 highway/19 combined mpg. In its reliability record the model accumulates 98 total owner complaints, with steering problems comprising the bulk of the reports and only two recalls issued, situating its complaint volume near the lower end of the 1990‑2005 span where complaints peaked at 299 in 1998 and fell to 27 in 2005. Thus, the 2002 version marks a period of relative improvement for the Bonneville line, though owners should remain attentive to the noted steering concerns.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 100 · 770 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 100 · 770 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 25322835
Engine air filter	19259030
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	12681664
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	12588414 alt 19355282
Thermostat	24505924 alt 24506985
Cabin air filter	15811562

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	202.8 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Curb weight	3640 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 25 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	104 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Bonneville of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2004 GXP Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2000	SSEi Sedan 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	240 hp	FWD
2000	SSEi Sedan 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	240 hp	FWD
2000	SSEi Sedan 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.90 sec	16.40 sec	240 hp	FWD
2004	GXP Sedan 4.6L V8	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	275 hp	FWD
2004	GXP Sedan 4.6L V8	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	275 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	41-921
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.20 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	100
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	770 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	79 - SUPERCHARGED

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	54.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	48-54
RPM	38-51 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 na ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	137 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 94 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.224 in / 0.404 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees.	120 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees.	120 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Supercharger Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Bonneville sits near the peak of complaint activity for the generation, with 98 complaints—less than the 226 reported in 2000 but more than the 67 of 2003—while recalls remain steady at two each year from 2001 to 2003. This indicates a gradual decline in recall frequency after a spike in 2000, suggesting improved design controls over the early 2000s. The 2002 model’s top complaint areas—steering (16), engine cooling (10), visibility (10), and electrical (8)—mirror the broader trend of mechanical and driver‑interface issues that dominated the mid‑generation. With 5 crash‑related complaints and 3 fire complaints, the safety profile is comparable to adjacent years, showing no significant escalation. Overall, 2002 represents a stable but still slightly higher complaint period than the years that followed, implying that a used vehicle from this year may still carry typical maintenance risks but is not markedly worse than later models. If you prioritize lower recall exposure, a 2003 or later Bonneville would be a marginally safer choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

420

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01’02’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 98 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering16

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Visibility10

Electrical System8

Air Bags6

Suspension5

Exterior Lighting4

Power Train4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

02V222000Air Bags:FrontalReported 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. Remedy: 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…

03V238000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 420 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
23-NA-001	2025-03-28	Electrical System	This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Bonneville. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 100 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 19259030 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 12681664

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Bonneville take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Bonneville have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Bonneville get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.