Pontiac Bonneville Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 40 safety recalls and 1,979 owner complaints across 35 model years of the Pontiac Bonneville (1965–2005). The most-complained-about year is 1998.

Pick your Pontiac Bonneville model year

• 1965
• 1966
• 1969
• 1971
• 1972
• 1974
• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1981
• 1982
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
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• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005

What Pontiac Bonneville owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 1,979 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 277.

• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline144
• Engine and engine cooling102
• Engine and engine cooling: engine93
• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip89
• Engine and engine cooling: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe81
• Power train: automatic transmission75
• Visibility: power window devices and controls67
• Electrical system66

All Pontiac Bonneville recalls (40)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Pontiac Bonneville, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Delivery (fuel system)

   NHTSA 04V090000 Reported February 24, 2004 910,873 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a…

   Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should…

   Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000

2. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 03V238000 Reported July 1, 2003 102,212 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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 bonneville ssei passenger vehicles equipped with a supercharged v6 (3.8l) engine, the fuel tank pressure sensors are unusually…

   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; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

   Model years: 2002, 2003

3. Air bags: frontal

   NHTSA 02V222000 Reported August 9, 2002 133,221 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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 authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

   Model years: 2002, 2003

4. Foundation components (service brakes)

   NHTSA 00V114000 Reported April 17, 2000 8,132 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have internal fluid leaks in the brake hydraulic control unit.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS hydraulic modulator unit and if necessary, replace the hydraulic modulator.

   Model years: 2000

5. Automatic transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 99V089000 Reported April 26, 1999 99,333 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 4t65e automatic transmissions. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence." a retaining clip, which secures the manual valve to the linkage of the transmission detent lever, can become loose under a combination of possible…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual valve/link assembly with a replacement manual valve/link kit, featuring a spring-type fastener.

   Model years: 1999

6. Wheels

   NHTSA 99V072000 Reported April 12, 1999 352 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with chrome plated aluminum wheels. Some of these wheels have a mounting surface that was not machined correctly, causing the wheel studs to break.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace all wheels with date codes indicating that they may not have been machined correctly. The wheel mounting studs at any location where a suspect wheel was installed will also…

   Model years: 1999

7. Seats

   NHTSA 96V196000 Reported October 8, 1996 47 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The seat cover trim material does not meet the flammability requirements of FMVSS no. 302, "flammability of interior materials."

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the covers on the front seat backs, rear seat cushion and rear seat back assemblies.

   Model years: 1997

8. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

   NHTSA 96V116000 Reported July 1, 1996 275,811 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.

   Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.

   Model years: 1996

9. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

   NHTSA 96V015000 Reported January 23, 1996 585,182 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.

   Model years: 1992, 1993

10. Electrical system: control module

    NHTSA 95V204000 Reported October 23, 1995 32,869 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged, the "key in the ignition" warning chime and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 114,…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

    Model years: 1996

11. Headlights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 94V190000 Reported October 4, 1994 1,997 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. This can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp module.

    Model years: 1995

12. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 91V198000 Reported November 14, 1991 6,866 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install two transaxle shift control cable retaining clips.

    Model years: 1991

13. Mechanical (parking brake)

    NHTSA 91V167000 Reported September 23, 1991 20,765 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.

    Remedy: Replace parking brake lever assembly.

    Model years: 1992

14. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 91V131000 Reported August 5, 1991 1,570 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from shift control cable bracket, causing loss of gear indicator reference, and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on the shift control cable bracket on top of transaxle.

    Model years: 1992

15. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V102000 Reported June 16, 1989 1,755,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Model years: 1984

16. Storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 88V143000 Reported August 29, 1988 1,655 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Fuel rollover valve assembly may not have been installed.

    Remedy: Replace fuel sender and pump assembly.

    Model years: 1989

17. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 88V080000 Reported May 16, 1988 35,057 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Excessive accelerator cable friction may restrict the cables free movement between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.

    Remedy: Replace accelerator cable.

    Model years: 1987

18. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 87V135000 Reported September 1, 1987 479,715 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.

    Remedy: The windshield washer bottle bracket will be replaced.

    Model years: 1987

19. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 87V103000 Reported July 10, 1987 5,162 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The headlamp circuit breaker may overheat at low beam causing an intermittent headlamp circuit.

    Remedy: Revise foglamp circuit to prevent overheating of headlamp circuit.

    Model years: 1987

20. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 86V056000 Reported April 28, 1986 93,317 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without…

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.

    Model years: 1986

21. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 82V012000 Reported January 3, 1982 79,686 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Under certain vehicle operating conditions, the governor weight retainer in the injection pump may fail. The throttle valve could stick, preventing return to idle and shut down of the engine by the driver.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the governor weight assembly in the injection pump at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1982

22. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 79V247000 Reported November 13, 1979 1,326,404 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The heads may break off the front outboard seat belt anchor bolts during normal vehicle operation even under no load conditions. This is due to the combination of bolts used, high installation torque and arrangement of the body anchorage.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace all original equipment front outboard seat belt anchor bolts on the affected vehicles at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1979

23. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 78V139000 Reported June 13, 1978 333,619 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments would be free to fly from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the fan blade assembly without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1978

24. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 77V200000 Reported November 16, 1977 4,504 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The rear wheel mounting bolts on the affected vehicles, are brittle and therefore may fracture. This brittleness is due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. If the bolts break, the tire and wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace defective bolts on all axles and the ten rear axle wheel mounting bolts, free of charge.

    Model years: 1978

25. Idler and attachment (steering)

    NHTSA 77V025000 Reported February 16, 1977 35 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On the involved vehicles, the incorrect steering linkage assembly may have been installed. As a result, the right-hand steering tie rod might interfere with the intermediate rod. This could cause the connection to fail due to excessive stress at that point.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering linkage assembly without charge.

    Model years: 1977

26. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 76V176000 Reported November 5, 1976 3,970 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

27. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 76V175000 Reported November 3, 1976 66,632 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

28. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 76V132000 Reported September 7, 1976 55,564 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

29. Differential proportional valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 75V214000 Reported December 19, 1975 39,278 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1976

30. Wheels

    NHTSA 75V142000 Reported July 28, 1975 687 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

31. Turn signal (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 75V135000 Reported July 18, 1975 1,108 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

32. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 74V217000 Reported November 14, 1974 2,578 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

33. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 73V250000 Reported December 27, 1973 782,111 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

34. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 73V013000 Reported January 24, 1973 3,707,064 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The possibility exists that driving on unpaved road surfaces, particularly roads which are heavily graveled and which are extremely wavy or filled with chuckholes, at speeds which cause the car to pitch excessively, the front crossmember may scoop up loose stones or gravel and could be thrown into the engine compartment. It is possible…

    Remedy: Inspect and install shield on affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1971, 1972

35. Seats

    NHTSA 72V185000 Reported July 19, 1972 1,699 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

36. Wheels

    NHTSA 72V013000 Reported January 15, 1972 30,885 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

37. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 69V091000 Reported July 9, 1969 24,017 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969

38. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 69V045000 Reported April 11, 1969 58 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969

39. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 69V038000 Reported April 8, 1969 830,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1965, 1966

40. Idler and attachment (steering)

    NHTSA 67V130000 Reported December 28, 1967 479,470 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1966

Other Pontiac models

• G65,889 complaints
• Grand AM5,580 complaints
• Grand Prix5,426 complaints
• Vibe1,865 complaints
• Sunfire1,144 complaints
• Montana1,054 complaints
• Trans Sport973 complaints
• Solstice728 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.