IllustrationCONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH . AT IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS FELL BACK, CAUSING INJUIRES. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
1997 Pontiac Bonneville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bonneville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
325–50K
750–75K
875–100K
14100–150K
3150K+
37 reports with mileage · 110 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports16 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
147 reportsFUEL GAUGE CLUSTER FAILED CAUSING GAUGE TO READ FULL AT ALL TIMES
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOUED FOR NO REASON. DEALER HA BEEN CONTACTED. *AK WINDSHIELD REPLACED. *YH
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT/BRAKE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE SHOPPING CENTER I REALIZED MY BRAKES WERE GONE. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RAPID MOTORS THE NEXT DAY AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. JUST OVER 1 YEAR LATER …
Read full complaint
THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT/BRAKE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF THE SHOPPING CENTER I REALIZED MY BRAKES WERE GONE. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RAPID MOTORS THE NEXT DAY AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. JUST OVER 1 YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND WE WERE TOLD AGAIN A NEW MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED REPLACING. EACH REPLACEMENT HAS COST US A LITTLE OVER $300.00. I UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE TIME TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS BUT I DON'T THAT IS THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER NOT BEING ABLE TO LAST MORE THAN 1 YEAR. THE INVOICE FOR REPAIR OF THE LAST MASTER CYLINDER STATES: "FOUND BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CHECKED FOR LEAKS, NON FOUND, CHECKED VACUUM - OK. MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTERNAL. REMOVED MASTER CYLINDER AND INSTALLED NEW ONE. BLED BRAKES SYTEM, TEST DROVE, WORKING TO FACTORY SPECS." TO SUMMARIZE, THE ORIGINAL MASTER CYLINDER AND A SECOND MASTER CYLINDER HAVE BEEN REPLACE WITHIN THE 2 1/2 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP AND POWER TO GO OUT. ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE HOME. CURRENTLY AT DLR'S. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
PERPETUAL OIL LEAK AROUND ENGINE OIL PAN.
WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO TO 2ND GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING OUT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP 6 TIMES, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER KEEPS REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS, AND THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO GO BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR THE 7TH TIME. *AK
Official recalls
196V196000 · Seats
Oct 8, 1996
THE SEAT COVER TRIM MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 302, "FLAMMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COVERS ON THE FRONT SEAT BACKS, REAR SEAT CUSHION AND REAR SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.