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1998 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 160 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 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 33 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 →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports28 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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105,673 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes

THE BACK TWO CRADLE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED OUT AND MOUNTS PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE FILLING AND CAUSING STEERING TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WHEN HIT BRAKES FRONT WOULD DART ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE FROM CRADLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING BUMPS TRIED THE …

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THE BACK TWO CRADLE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED OUT AND MOUNTS PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE FILLING AND CAUSING STEERING TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WHEN HIT BRAKES FRONT WOULD DART ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE FROM CRADLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING BUMPS TRIED THE FIND ONE IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL ARE THAT WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713247

110,000 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Power Train

TRANSAXLE: AFTER STARTING COLD ENGINE AND DRIVING 20-30 MILES TRANSMISSION STARTS SHIFTING HARD INTO 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH GEAR. DOES NOT SHIFT HARD WHEN LOCK-UP CONVERTER ENGAGES. TOOK IT TO PONTIAC DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE PCS (PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID) AND IT WAS GOING TO BE $700 TO REPAIR. CALLED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION …

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TRANSAXLE: AFTER STARTING COLD ENGINE AND DRIVING 20-30 MILES TRANSMISSION STARTS SHIFTING HARD INTO 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH GEAR. DOES NOT SHIFT HARD WHEN LOCK-UP CONVERTER ENGAGES. TOOK IT TO PONTIAC DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE PCS (PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID) AND IT WAS GOING TO BE $700 TO REPAIR. CALLED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE PCS OR THE VALVE BODY AND MOST ALL 4T60 AND 4T65-E TRANSAXLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM?? IF THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS, WHY DOESN'T GM DO SOMETHING TO AT LEAST CUT THE COST OF REPAIRS??*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110148

78,600 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Power Train

THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED. *PH *NM

NHTSA ODI #10068585

49,170 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

CONSUMER BOUGHT THE BONNEVILLE IN AUGUST, SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES. THE FIRST FOUR TIMES WERE FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE AND THROTTLE BODY. THE REMAINING VISITS WERE FOR 4 FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURES, INJECTOR COIL FAILURES MELTED 4 SPARK PLUG WIRES. ALSO, …

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CONSUMER BOUGHT THE BONNEVILLE IN AUGUST, SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES. THE FIRST FOUR TIMES WERE FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE AND THROTTLE BODY. THE REMAINING VISITS WERE FOR 4 FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURES, INJECTOR COIL FAILURES MELTED 4 SPARK PLUG WIRES. ALSO, WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050974

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VEHICLE'S WARNING SIGNAL STARTS UP AND THE VEHICLE HESITATES OR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS ALSO DAMAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE AND OVER HEAT. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10046275

65,000 miles · Aug 2, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

1998 PONTAIC BONNEVILLE SE, STANDARD V6 ENGINE, WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED THE ENGINE WILL SURGE AND LEAP FORWARD . CAR ENGINE WILL QUIT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WITHOUT ANY REASON, EVEN AT SPEED CAUSING CONTROL PROBLEMS. SUPOSEDLY RELATED TO THE DESIGN …

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1998 PONTAIC BONNEVILLE SE, STANDARD V6 ENGINE, WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED THE ENGINE WILL SURGE AND LEAP FORWARD . CAR ENGINE WILL QUIT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WITHOUT ANY REASON, EVEN AT SPEED CAUSING CONTROL PROBLEMS. SUPOSEDLY RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ( PLASTIC CRACKS CAUSING VACUM PROBLEMS AND SOMETINES LOSS OF WATER). ALSO EXTERIOR PAINT STARTED TO PEAL OFF AT 70.000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030633

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Power Train

RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING 45MPH. TIRE CAME OFF, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AS WAS TOLD. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND FOUND PROBLEM HAPPENED THE WAY TOLD BY OWNER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884209

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724933

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING IN CITY AT APROX 35MPH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR EMISSION CONTROL. CONTACTED DEALER , WHO SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, AND IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BUT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852737

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Power Train

GOT BACK FROM VACATION HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE REGULARLY SINCE RECEIVING THE CAR BACK.VEHICLE IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED AND JERKED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850905

Official recalls

1

04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Feb 24, 2004

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 MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

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 CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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

2

EA02030 · 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.