IllustrationWHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN TO LEFT. VEHICLE CAN TURN TO RIGHT, BUT STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD. OWNER BELIEVES THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO RACK AND PINION. *AK *YD
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 reportsVEHICLE BROKE DOWN, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE, FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 13-7503-708. *SLC
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO HOLE IN EGR/ INLET IN INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO ENTER FUEL INTAKE SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LID OPENS WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY TYPE OF SOLUTION, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE LID WAS NEVER BUILT SOLID ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE LATCH, WHEN THE LID IS OPEN IT CAN BE TWISTED EASILY BY HAND. …
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CONSUMER STATES LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LID OPENS WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY TYPE OF SOLUTION, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE LID WAS NEVER BUILT SOLID ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE LATCH, WHEN THE LID IS OPEN IT CAN BE TWISTED EASILY BY HAND. *JB
IF STANDING RO RUNNING WATER IS ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROADWAY WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND THE FRONT TIRES SHOULD BEGIN TO HYDRO-PLANE AN IMMEDIATE AND POTENTIALLY FATAL LOSS OF CONTROL MAY ENSUE. EVIDENTLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM SENSED THE SLOWING OF THE HYDRO-PLANING TIRES AND INTERPRETS IT AS A LOSS…
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IF STANDING RO RUNNING WATER IS ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROADWAY WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND THE FRONT TIRES SHOULD BEGIN TO HYDRO-PLANE AN IMMEDIATE AND POTENTIALLY FATAL LOSS OF CONTROL MAY ENSUE. EVIDENTLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM SENSED THE SLOWING OF THE HYDRO-PLANING TIRES AND INTERPRETS IT AS A LOSS OF ESTABLISHED SPEED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT FOR THE PERCEIVED LOSS OF SPEED THE CRUISE CONTROL APPLIES POWER WHICH RESULTS IN A SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN. AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUSE TO SPIN THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUES TO APPLY MORE AND MORE POWER WHICH MAKES THE SPIN UN-RECOVERABLE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAVING BEEN TAUGHT TO STEER INTO THE SPIN AND STAY OFF THE BRAKES ALL MY LIFE ONLY RESULTS IN THE SPIN GETTING WORSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO EITHER AGE OR MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE BUT RATHER IS A DESIGN FLAW INHERANT IN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I FEEL THIS SITUATION WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION AND APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE MATTER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 17-9174-792. *SLC
1.FUEL GAUGE BEHAVES ERRATICALLY AND READS FULL WHEN ALMOST EMPTY.2. WHEN REPACING NON-WORKING BACKUP LIGHTS FOUND LIGHTS HAD CORRODED & RUSTED INTO SOCKETS-TOOK LOTS OF PATIENCE AND 2 1/2 HOURS TO GET THEM OUT!! 3.VEHICLE STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS AT SPEEDS OF 55-67.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE CARS INTERIOR - CAR JUNKED. *AK
WAS TRAVELING 55MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CHECKED UNDER HOOD, AND NOTICED STEAM & ANTI-FREEZE WAS SPILLING OVER EVERYTHING. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & ANTI-FREEZE JUST DRIPPED. NOTICED IT WAS COMING OUT OF BOTTOM OF WATER PUMP. LET VEHICLE COOL DOWN & REFILLED IT WITH WATER & DROVE HOME. DEALER REP…
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WAS TRAVELING 55MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CHECKED UNDER HOOD, AND NOTICED STEAM & ANTI-FREEZE WAS SPILLING OVER EVERYTHING. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & ANTI-FREEZE JUST DRIPPED. NOTICED IT WAS COMING OUT OF BOTTOM OF WATER PUMP. LET VEHICLE COOL DOWN & REFILLED IT WITH WATER & DROVE HOME. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP, ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED. *SLC
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.