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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

194 reports
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47,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONTACT STATES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING INTO CYLINDERS, CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK, DAMAGING STARTER AND SPARK PLUGS. REMOVED AND REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON 6-17-05 AT A COST OF $900.00: THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS DUE TO A RECALL #04V09000 FUEL SYSTEM/ GASOLINE DELIVERY. SHE WAS REFUN…

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DT: CONTACT STATES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING INTO CYLINDERS, CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK, DAMAGING STARTER AND SPARK PLUGS. REMOVED AND REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON 6-17-05 AT A COST OF $900.00: THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS DUE TO A RECALL #04V09000 FUEL SYSTEM/ GASOLINE DELIVERY. SHE WAS REFUNDED MONEY BY PONTIAC. NOW SHE WAS REQUESTING MONEY BACK FOT THE SECOND TIME. ALSO, RECEIVED AN INVESTIGATION# PEO2050; CONCERNING ENGINE, BUT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129188

62,652 miles · May 14, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (PLENUM) FAILED COSTING ME $2000 IN REPAIRS. THE GASKET HAD BEEN MADE OF A FAULTY PLASTIC BY GM IN TRYING TO CUT MANUFACTURING COSTS. THE CAR IS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. I PURCHASE IT WITH 49,000 MILES IN 2003 AND IT CUREENTLY HAS 62,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10120911

72,108 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 YEARS MY 98 BONNEVILLE HAD THE PLENUM CRACK WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER TOP OF MOTOR WHICH REQUIRES VEHICLE TO BE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY OR MOTOR WILL OVERHEAT UNTIL IT IS RUINED. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES AT FIRST OCCURRENCE AND HAS 72,108 MILES ON IT WHEN …

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FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 YEARS MY 98 BONNEVILLE HAD THE PLENUM CRACK WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER TOP OF MOTOR WHICH REQUIRES VEHICLE TO BE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY OR MOTOR WILL OVERHEAT UNTIL IT IS RUINED. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES AT FIRST OCCURRENCE AND HAS 72,108 MILES ON IT WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN LAST FRIDAY. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE UNTIL PARTS CAN BE BOUGHT AND INSTALLED, MAKING THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE ON HIGHWAY WHEN THAT OCCURS. IT HAS COST MORE THAN $ 800.00 EACH TIME TO GET VEHICLE FIXED AND I NOW HAVE NO TRUST IN THIS PART OF MOTOR WHAT SO EVER AS THERE IS NO REAL REASON WHY IT OCCURS OTHER THAN PLENUM BEING PLASTIC SO IT CAN'T STAND UP TO NORMAL PRESSURES OR TEMPERATURE CHANGES. VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS ADMITTED THEY MADE A FIX FOR PROBLEM BUT IT IS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE WHICH DOES NOT SEEM FAIR AS THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH ALLOWS DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR OWNER TO HAPPEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116418

58,000 miles · Mar 30, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO START IT, AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. CONSUMER LATER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117094

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH REIMBURSEMENT FOR 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: 04V090000. THE RECALL IS RELATED TO THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. TH…

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CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH REIMBURSEMENT FOR 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: 04V090000. THE RECALL IS RELATED TO THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND ALLOWED IT TO COOL OFF. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD BACK FIRE WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER. THE INTAKE PLENUM AND THE INTAKE PLENUM GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THERMOSTAT BLEW OUT AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE FEELS THAT THE FAILURES ARE A RESULT OF THE RECALL ISSUE THEREFORE THE REIMBURSEMENT CHECK WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A TICKING NOISE. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10111695

71,725 miles · Jan 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR MADE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10110957

63,571 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10103356

68,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK INTO CYLINDERS. ON STARTUP, THE ENGINE HYDROLOCKED. WHEN ENGINE HYDROLOCKED, THE STARTER WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SPARK PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ALL MANIFOLDS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098867

62,000 miles · Oct 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE ENGINE, OIL RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 75 MPH. *AK ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED ENGINE, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND PERIPHERALS FOR OVER $5000. HAVE POSSESSION OF ORIGINAL FACTORY INTAKE MANIFOLD SHOWING HOLE IN EGR AREA THAT FAILED. …

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SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE ENGINE, OIL RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 75 MPH. *AK ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED ENGINE, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND PERIPHERALS FOR OVER $5000. HAVE POSSESSION OF ORIGINAL FACTORY INTAKE MANIFOLD SHOWING HOLE IN EGR AREA THAT FAILED. RUINED ENGINE HAD TO BE RETURNED FOR CORE FEE. CAR RECENTLY OFF EXTENDED WARRANTY. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE UNCOOPERATIVE AND CLAIMS THAT TSB 010601007A (NHTSA ITEM #620835) NOT PUBLISHED BY GM. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS CAR HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, DID NOT CARE TO HAVE DETAILS OF OIL CHANGES (EVERY 3000 MILES) OR OTHER SERVICE PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED IN OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PRODUCT FAILURE AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT HIGWAY SPEEDS! WHEN ENGINE LOCKED UP, LOST ALL POWER AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. VERY THANKFUL MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND NOT ME, AS I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE TREMENDOUS STRENGTH REQUIRED TO PERFORM THAT TASK WHEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING! RECENTLY RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM GM FOR THE GASOLINE PRESSURE REGULATOR THAT MUST HAVE A NUMBER OF VARIABLES HAPPEN ALL AT THE SAME TIME TO BECOME AN ISSUE. WHY IS GM NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS SERIOUS INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO BE LYING IN WAIT FOR THE UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER?

NHTSA ODI #10096243

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

1998-BONNEVILLE 70,000 MILES. STARTED STALLING INTERMITTENTLY ON ONE OCCASION, GOT CAR TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE UPPER PLENUM HAD A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH IT. HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER MANIFOLD BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. $910.00 LATER IT IS FIXED. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF TH…

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1998-BONNEVILLE 70,000 MILES. STARTED STALLING INTERMITTENTLY ON ONE OCCASION, GOT CAR TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE UPPER PLENUM HAD A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH IT. HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER MANIFOLD BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. $910.00 LATER IT IS FIXED. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND KNOW OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WONDERING WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO CALL FOR A RECALL??????*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093676

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.