we had a needle bearing break up and take a tour of the tranny.

We also found out that there is a design flaw in the T65E where a part of the tranny doesnt get enough fluid due to a regulating valve or something.

I dont think the problems were related, but we got a rebuilt tranny and an the problem fixed by a reputable local transmission shop.

I've dealt with Pontiac Customer service before and as you can probably imagine they be all over with helping you...yeah right they are as worthless as you know what, don't waste your time you just get more frustrated. However, I had pretty good luck with talking to the service director at my dealership to get something covered that was out of warranty, they can make decisions. Hope this helps.

I have to agree with Don. I've noticed alot more failures on the 65 Trans than the 60, even though the 60'* are all older. Something not right here.

Well, here'* the update.

After three days, my car is still in the shop. I have spoken with Pontiac Customer Service several times, and they have been extremely pleasant. It seems that they are having a very difficult time speaking with the dealer Service Director to arrive at any type of a solution. In the meantime, a new transmission is on order and should be here today or tomorrow. So...the process is continuing, but no resolution yet. I'm heading for the shop to find out (in a very polite way of course!) why they can''t talk to Customer Service. Stay tuned.

A couple of folks have mentioned a known flaw in the 4T65E transmission. Does anybody know if the flaw is documented anywhere? Would GM have put that out in a Service Bulletin? It would sure help me to have proof of a design problem.

Here'* some TSB'* for you then......& these are JUST that apply to the 2000 Bonneville too!
****NOTE: Just keep my NAME out of all posts please! I don't need to get personally envolved between a GM Dealership, GM Customer Service & My BOSS!****

Slips, Harsh Upshift or Garage Shifts, Launch Shudders, Flares, Erratic Shifts and Intermittent Concerns, DTC P1811 or P0748 Set (Replace Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Assembly) #00-07-30-002B - (07/19/2002)

Grind Noise or No Vehicle Movement When Shifting into Drive or Reverse (Inspect Transaxle, Replace Various Transaxle Components) #03-07-30-017 - (05/07/2003)

Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On with DTCs P0716 and/or P0717, P0730, P0753, P0758, P1860, P1887 or other Misc. Transmission Trouble Codes Set (Repair Wiring at Transaxle Wiring Pass-thru Connector) #02-07-30-022B - (10/20/2003)

Whine Noise in Park or Neutral, Service Engine Soon or Service Vehicle Soon Lamp Illuminates (Replace Drive Sprocket Support Bearing) #00-07-30-007A - (01/30/2002)

Transmission Oil Leaking From Transmission Vent (Replace Transmission Case Cover Gasket/Channel Plate Gasket with New Design Gasket) #01-07-30-032A - (01/02/2002)

Harsh Engagement into Reverse Gear in Cold Ambient Temperature (Reprogram PCM) #01-07-30-044 - (12/21/2001)

Friend of mine has an '02 Impala with a 4T60-E transmission,about 27k miles(and his wife drives it 80% of the time,so it hasn't been beat on),and his just crapped out,made all kinds of noises,and it wouldn't work in Reverse(some kind of faulty valve-body seal,I think),so I don't think it matters if you have the T65 or T60 TX.I had a '97 Grand Prix GTP and the T65 started making a 'scratchy' sound at 30K miles(replaced with a factory new transmission,under warranty[after I screamed and hollered a little that I didn't want to have the bad TX 'worked on' and fixed in-house at the Pontiac dealership]),the clutch plates were defective(dealership looked inside the TX and confirmed that it Wasn't from me abusing it),....so if a transmission/converter is going to crap out,it matters very little on what mileage the car has on it.
Sorry to hear that yours is out of warranty.My other friend had an '01 Chevy TrailBlazer and the TX started slipping at 37K miles....just out of warranty....so he traded it in on a newer one and stuck the dealership(didn't tell them it was slipping)with the repair.

Well, I got my SSEi back from the shop today. Here is where things stand.

Pontiac Customer Service advised me that there was nothing they could do to help underwrite the cost of the replacement transmission ($2700). When i asked why not, they put the blame on the dealer Service Director, along with the Pontiac Area Manager.

So, I went to see the Service Director. After I told him that I wasn't real happy about the whole situation, particularly the lack of product support, he told me that he had just gotten off the phone with the Pontiac Area Manager (what a coincidence), who had changed his mind and was now willing to contribute $1000 toward the cost of the repair.

Since $1000 is better than nothing, I accepted his offer so that I could get my car back, but I told him that I wanted more. He set me up with a meeting with the Area Manager in a week or so.

I then got a few comments that their "goodwill" decisions are based on how many new cars I buy from GM (used doesn't count), how often my cars come into the dealer for service, and how much money I spend with the dealer. I happened to notice a service menu board behind his desk that quoted a price of $59.99 for changing windshield wiper refills, so I had to smile when he told me that my car needs to be in his shop more often...even for "little things".

So I go to pick up my car, and the service manager tells me that the repairs would have been completed sooner...except that the replacement tranny arrived with a crack in it that wasn't discovered until after it had been installed...and was leaking fluid. So, out it came again for repair and reinstallation.

I give Pontiac Customer Service a "C-" for their role in this entire incident. They were very courteous and did a good job of staying in touch with me, but as far as I can tell they did absolutely nothing to help me. All the decision-making power rests with the Pontic Area Manager and the dealership Service Director.

Bottom line...the transmission died after just 55K, I'm out $1700, & I'm not happy about it. But, I got a rebuilt transmission with a new warranty for a decent price (that I hope to improve on after meeting with the Area manager), so I guess it could be worse.

Thanks to all for your interest and comments.

Well that was an interesting tale, so if you brought it in more often for over charged minor things they would be willing to honor their work more? Doesnt sound like they want your business as much as they want your money?

It'* SAD I know! BUT at least it'* the TRUTH!
I work for GM & know how they can "soak" a customer when it comes to repairs! It'* my job to sell parts to anyone who walks through the Dealership'* doors. I admit that some customers get treated better than others, but that is usually because of how much $$$ they bring into the Dealership too. Like I said earlier in this thread, the MORE you get your car serviced there, there MORE willing that Dealership is willing to help you out.