Pontiac / Bonneville / 1998
1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Owners have filed 359 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 58.8% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 9.5%.
Complaints359
Crashes12
Fires40
Injuries8
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 58.8% · 211
Fuel system, gasoline 9.5% · 34
Electrical system 8.9% · 32
Power train 3.9% · 14
Unknown or other 2.2% · 8
Visibility 2.2% · 8
Vehicle speed control 2.2% · 8
Steering 1.9% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 40 describe a fire and 8 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Pontiac Bonneville in this data, 1998 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings are rising — 22 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,226 miles.
In owners' own words
98 Pontiac 86,000 miles intake manifold failed for the second time... Parts replaced...Spark plugs (fouled)..Starter assembly.. Motor was waterlocked broke starter...Intake manifold gasket replaced.....Oil changed due to coolant contamination...Replace antifreeze...Total bill labor and parts... $1387.99..Gm has numerous service bulletins on this issue...Why has a recall not be issued for this problem ?? Engine and engine cooling · reported at 84,222 miles
Car suddenly began missing and running very rough. Drove only a short distance & car stopped running. The dealer said the upper intake manifold plennuim needed replaced, as well as the plugs removed & cleaned. Also needed oil, filer & collant changed. Cost over $750 to repair & manifold was about the only engine component to not be included under the add'l service contract we had purchased. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 47,719 miles
: The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at an idle, the engine rpms elevated, and the oil gauge indicated low pressure, followed by engine hesitation. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined no oil leak was present, but a plug wire to the engine cylinder needed to be replaced. The problem persisted after the repairs were performed. The manufacturer was contacted. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 84,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…