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When looking at the average Pontiac transmission repair cost, you need to keep in mind that every replacement and fix will be different depending on the year and model. Although on average a transmission replacement ranges between $1800 and $3400, it could be hundreds of dollars less depending on the specific fix you are looking for.
On average, the Pontiac transmission repair cost is between $300 and $1,500, with the middle price being around $900. Depending on what repair needs to be done, you could spend upwards of $1,150 to replace the clutch, while replacing a full transmission is between $4,000 and $8,000.
Pontiac Transmission Types
Various transmission types are used in the General Motors cars, with Pontaic having automatic and manual kinds. The most popular automatic transmissions are the early models, turbo-hydramatic, electronic hydra-matic, hybrid, and PHEV types.
The GM Hydra-Matic transmission type was installed in most GM models after the mid-20th century, with all of General Motors’ early choices being replaced by the Turbo Hydramatic in the 1970s.
Some of the early automatic transmission choices that may have had a lower Pontiac transmission repair cost when compared to newer models involves the Hydra-Matic from 1940-1967, Dynaflow from 1948-1963, Powerglide from 1950-1973, Turboglide from 1957-1961, Roto Hydramatic from 1961-1964, and Super Turbine from 1964-1969.
The Turbo-Hydramatic was a type of transmission used in various GM divisions, with this car creating the base for the future Hydramatic line. Some of the Turbo-Hydramatic options are the 3L80HD, Super Turbine 400, TH200-4R, TH125, or TH425.
Net in line, the electronic Hydra-Matic transmissions were used in cars produced from the 1990s onwards. The first-generation longitudinal transmission was the 4L30 version, while the first-generation transverse option was the 4T40-E version.
The last kind of transmission type used in the Pontiac cars that can affect how much you might spend on a Pontiac transmission repair cost is the Hybrid and PHEV transmissions. The most popular kinds are the 2-Mode Hybrid, Electronic Drive Unit Transaxle, 5ET50, and the 4EL70.
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville is a car built by Pontiac produced from the 1958-2005 model years, with the car is a full-sized vehicle made with its platform partner, the Grand Ville. Spanning ten generations, the Pontiac Bonneville was definitely popular throughout the years – but still had a high Pontiac transmission repair cost.
The worst model years of the Pontiac Bonneville are the 2000-2003 options, with the top three issues focusing on the power windows not working and costing owners approximately $400 to fix in each model year.
Regarding the worst-rated 2000 model year, the main problem categories deal with windows and windshield, interior accessories, electrical system, body and paint, engine mechanism, and the transmission. The main transmission concerns deal with transmission failure, rough shifting, jerking while shifting, and the car shifting out of gear.
Transmission failure typically costs around $2,370 to fix, with owners having to replace the transmission to remedy the hefty Pontiac transmission repair cost.
Pontiac G6
The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car that was produced by General Motors from the 2005 until the 2010 model years, with the car coming in to replace the Grand A, and sharing the platform with the GM Epsilon. The Pontiac G6 worst model years are the 2005-2007 choices, with the 2006 G6 having the most-reported problem of the faulty power steering.
Regarding all model years of the Pontiac G6, the worst Pontiac problems deal with the faulty power steering or clunking noises in the 2006 G6. Other problem categories deal with the steering system, interior accessories, engine, brakes, suspension, and transmission. The main transmission concerns focus on the car not shifting properly, transmission failure, fluid level failures, popping while shifting gears, and the transmission oil cooler lines leaking.
The most common solution for the car not shifting properly is to replace the catalytic converter, replacing the wires, replacing the fuel and oil line, or replacing the intake or exhaust actuator valve for around $520. The typical Pontiac transmission repair cost is usually much more expensive than $520 if you let the problem worsen over time, so fixing the inability to shift early on can help you save money.
Pontiac Grand Am
The Pontiac Grand Am is a midsize car that was produced by Pontiac for the model years 1973-1975, 1977-1980, and 1984 until 2005. The car comes in various body styles, ranging from the 2-door fastback coupe to a 4-door notchback sedan. The worst model years of the Pontiac Grand Am focus on the 1999-2004 options, with the most-reported problem being the engine not turning over or starting in the 2001 Grand Am.
Other categories of concern in the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am that can affect the overall Pontiac transmission repair cost is the engine, electrical system, interior accessories, windows and windshield, lights, and transmission. The main transmission concerns focus on the car jerking at different speeds while driving, the transmission slipping, and the transmission prematurely failing. To fix the car jerking at different speeds, owners will have to fork over $1,500 at nearly 100,000 miles.
Pontiac Grand Prix
The Pontiac Grand Prix is a line of cars produced from the 1962-2008 model years, lasting over four decades and withstanding seven generations of production. Although this model was popular throughout the years, the high Pontiac transmission repair cost sometimes dismayed potential car buyers from purchasing this vehicle.
The worst model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix are the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004 options, with the 2002 having the most-reported issue of the key sticking in the ignition and the same model year often being considered the least reliable and most problematic.
The 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix had concerns regarding the interior accessories, engine, windows and windshield, AC and heater, cooling system, lights, and transmission. The top transmission issues focus on the car shifting too hard, the engine revving without acceleration, and the transmission slipping between gears.
Pontiac Montana
The Pontiac Montana is a minivan produced by General Motors from 1997 until 2009, with the Montana choices being the most popular minivans among consumers in a variety of markets. Using a transverse, front-engine layout and a GMU platform, the Pontiac Montana was made to resemble an SUV.
Montana’s worst years in terms of problems, the severity of issues, and the prevalence of owner concern focus on the 1999, 2000, and 2002 model years. The top three issues across every single model year of the Montana are the head gasket failing in the 2001 Montana, the intake manifold gasket failure in the 1999 Montana, and the intake manifold breaking in the 2002 Montana.
Regarding the 202 Pontiac Montana, the main categories of concern are the engine, electric system, cooling system, AC and heater, fuel system, exterior accessories, and transmission. The top transmission issue from owners focuses on erratic shifting, while the NHTSA cited problems with the automatic transmission powertrain and the park/neutral shifter.
The worst issue in the 2002 Pontiac Montana dealt with the erratic shifting, with the common solution being to replace the transmission pressure control solenoid for nearly $320 at around 117,000 miles.
Pontiac Sunfire
The Pontiac Sunfire is a compact car that was produced for one decade, between the 1995 and 2005 model years. The Pontiac Sunfire had new styling and design from the previous models, with the car going through two rejuvenations during its 11-year stint.
Sold with various engines, ranging from the 2.2-liter LN2 l4 to the 2.4-liter LD9 l4 engine, equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission, 3-speed automatic transmission, or a 4-speed automatic transmission throughout the years.
The worst model years of the Pontiac Sunfire are the 2002-2005 model year, with the most severe problems being the engine seizing in the 1997 Sunfire at around 53,000 miles, the fuel pump failing in the 2003 Sunfire at 78,000 miles, and the vent control breaking in the 2003 Sunfire at 59,000 miles.
Regarding the most problematic year of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, the worst categories involve the election system, the fuel pump, the lights, the AC and heater, the engine, the breaks, and the transmission – all of which can contribute to a higher Pontiac transmission repair cost.
The main concern is the pedal being pressed by the driver but the car not accelerating, while the NHTSA cited concerns with the powertrain in the automatic transmission and the gear position shifter. Fixing the car’s inability to accelerate generally costs around $300 to fix at nearly 122,000 miles, which is a relatively inexpensive Pontiac transmission repair cost.
Pontiac Recall
In 2008, a recall affected various Pontiac Sunfire models due to the intermediate loss of steering and high Pontiac transmission repair cost. Dorman products recalled over 4,000 intermediate steering shafts since the weld connecting the tubes together could be defective and cause safety concerns.
Another model that was affected by a recall was the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, with various recalls causing engine concerns and a high Pontiac transmission repair cost. One of the main recalls was in 2009, with the Pontiac Grand Prix recalled due to the steering knuckle breaking and a loss of steering control.
This recall affected nearly 1,000 steering knuckles, with a potential design defect resulting in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Furthermore, the Pontiac Grand Am had many recalls over the years, with the 2001 Grand Am having concerns regarding the ignition potentially turning off. The 2014 recall of the Grand Am affected almost 6 million cars, with the key causing the airbags to not deploy if the car is involved in a crash.
The defect can affect the airbag system, with the key fob causing issues with the 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and the 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix cars.
The Bottom Line
The typical transmission replacement cost is between $1,800 and $3,400, with a used transmission ranging between $800 and $1,500 on the high end. If you would rather have a rebuilt transmission instead of a salvaged part, the transmission cost will range between $1,100 and $2,800.
Lastly, a remanufactured transmission ranges between $1,300 and $3,400, being one of the most expensive prices for a Pontiac transmission repair cost.