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. The car never has overheated but the gauge would read a different temp daily until it finally rarely ever read a degree. Dealer said would need to pull cluster panel and send out. Only the warranty had just expired 5,000 miles and dealer quoted $650 to pull the unit out and send out to have diagnosed and would take about a week. Service writer suggested I wait until warning lights indicate a problem. Next day the tachometer gauge began failing. You could start the car over 4 or 5 times and get both temp and tach to read something and sometimes thought it was accurate but within another month the gauges rarely registered anything and then the fuel gauge failed. The car was purchased as pre-owned GM certified vehicle and warranty was until 39000 miles and at 45000 the gauges began failing of course the temp sending unit was replaced at 43000 miles because of a check engine warning code. I have only owned 2 Pontiac in my driving history but most vehicles I have owned were GM products and I have never owned a vehicle with more faults, which started with the test drive and a popping in the steering and brake problems at 28000 miles but dealer convinced to purchase as the items were covered under manf warranty and they gave me another car to drive for a week while repairs were made to my Bonneville purchased Jan 2005. This car should not have enough miles on it yet to be requiring costly major component failures which are a safety concern.

- Wylie, TX, USA