After 55,000 miles, I just found out from my friendly Pontiac dealer service manager that the torque converter on my 2000 SSEi apartently came apart, and in the proces did enough damage that I now have to get a new transmission. The dealer agrees that transmissions aren't supposed to let go after just 55K miles, but since I don't have an extended warranty, he tells me that there is nothing he can do. A complete transmission service was done by the same dealer at 40K miles, so I'm amazed that this would happen. He referred me to Pontiac Customer Service for possible assistance. Has anyone ever dealt with them before? Are there any suggestions on how to get their financial assistance with a major repair like this? I have had four other Bonnies that have run flawlessly for well over 150K, so I'm shocked that the 2000 would have a problem like this.

Sorry to hear about this. I personally havent dealt with Pontiac customer service but it certainly couldnt hurt to give them a call. Extended warranties are a nice thing to have and in this case im sure would have been cheaper then your tranny is going to cost you. Good luck and let us know how it turns out....

Sorry to hear, I too have never had to deal with customer service.
Were there any warning signs or did it just let go? What were your driving habits like when the torque convertor failed?

they just don't make them like they used too, how could such a thing happen? it'* crazy something like that would happen after the warrenty is depleted; Hell, who needs a warrenty anyway? extra money for problems that occur after it'* usless, that'* something U'd expect from my year car not yours!

Is it possible it happened from their work?

I got mine with 102k and it tranny has allready been worked on. Badly cause @ 104K I had to drop 2,400 on a rebuild. It'* fine now. Despite the design maybe they can't take the abuse.

No real warning signs at all. A couple of days ago, the car started stumbling just a little bit. I thought at first it was an engine miss, but the problem got progressively worse and became very noticeable above 1st gear. I drive around town, plus do a fair amount of highway driving each month. Again, I've NEVER had a GM transmission problem...so I amazed that this one let go. They are quoting me $2700 to install a remanufactured tranny that comes with a 3 yr/ 36K warranty. that'* $200 less than rebuilding the blown one. I started a file with Pontiac, so I'll keep everyone informed how this goes.

I'm real sorry about this happening to such a low mileage vehicle. As a GM employee though, the Service Manager is right "Legally". Some Dealerships will "Good Will" repairs depending on your relationship with that Dealership though. In other words, if you spent lots of $$$ there & have ALL your vehicles serviced by them, they (Dealership) are more inclined to help you out.

As a member here & quite knowledgable in the Bonneville Vehicle, I can tell you that GM'* Customer Service can either work "For You" or "Against You" depending on your: Tone of Voice; Attitude & Phone Conversation. If you treat them like "****" you'll get NADDA out of them. On the other hand, if you're calm, cool & collected you "MAY" get some help with the repairs.

I hate to say this this but, this IS an example of why GMPP EXtended Warranty IS there though.

On a side note I noticed last night on Ebay there was a tranny for 2000 se for @$500? This might be an option, it was out of Alabama I think?

Where are you located? I have heard of a place in Grand Rapids, MI that will rebuild your tranny with heavy duty clutches and everything for like $1100 IIRC. Maybe you could call up ZZPerformance, they know of cheap places to get your tranny rebuilt if you are willing to bring your car/tranny to this area. Just an option to think about.

Shawn