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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2006
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS AN ARMREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR CAR. IT IS INTENDED TO BE THE BACK SUPPORT OF THE FRONT CENTER PASSENGER SEAT. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SEAT BELT, ARE TO PROVIDE A SAFE RIDE FOR THE MIDDLE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR CAR. A PASSENGER IN OUR CAR SITTING IN THIS POSITION HAD THE ARMREST BRE…

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THERE IS AN ARMREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR CAR. IT IS INTENDED TO BE THE BACK SUPPORT OF THE FRONT CENTER PASSENGER SEAT. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SEAT BELT, ARE TO PROVIDE A SAFE RIDE FOR THE MIDDLE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR CAR. A PASSENGER IN OUR CAR SITTING IN THIS POSITION HAD THE ARMREST BREAK. THIS WAS UNDER NORMAL USE. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT VERY BIG. WE HARDLY EVER USE THIS POSITION AS A SEAT. THE ARMREST BROKE AND PROJECTED INTO THE REAR SEAT COMPARTMENT. THE PASSENGER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT SEAT WAS THRUST BACKWARD. IN THE EVENT OF AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT / COLLISION, BOTH PASSENGERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS WOULD BE SEVERELY INJURED. THE PERSON IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD BE INJURED BY HITTING THE HEAD OF THE PERSON IN THE FRONT SEAT THRUST BACK IN THE REAR SEATING AREA OR BY HITTING THE ARM REST THAT PROTRUDES INTO THE REAR SEATING AREA. THE PERSON IN THE FRONT SEAT WOULD BE THRUST BACK TOWARD THE REAR SEATING COMPARTMENT WITH NO BACK SUPPORT. I SPOKE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM TO FIX OR RECTIFY. *JB I SPOKE TO GMC AND RECEIVED A SIMILAR RESPONSE GMC CASE NO. 1-383907053, 12/28 (29)/2005 TELEPHONE NUMBER 866-932-4368 EXT 35624, JESSICA PAGET THE SUPPORT MATERIALS FOR THE ARMREST ARE OBVIOUSLY INADEQUATE. THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, IF NOT FOR THIS SERIES OF AUTOMOBILE, THEN FOR FUTURE AUTOMOBILES USING THIS METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS ARMREST, WHEN RAISED, SHOULD BE A STRUCTURE AS STRONG AS THE ADJOINING SEATS. OR, THE ARMREST SHOULD BE ELIMINATED AND THE SEATS EXTENDED TO FILL THE SPACE. IF NOT, THE ARMREST SHOULD BE ELIMINATED AS A PASSENGER SEATING POSITION. THIS WOULD INCLUDE REMOVING THE SEAT BELT WHICH PROMOTES IT'S USE AS A PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE SHOULD THEN NOT BE PROMOTED AS HAVING SEATING FOR SIX PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI #10147328

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2005
Unknown Or Other

THE HEAD GASKET SPRUNG A LEAK OF ANTIFREEZE THAT BROKE A ROD INSIDE THE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. WE ALSO HAD A THE UPPER PELENIUM BREAK ON IT AS WELL. IT IS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE 3800 V6. WE HAVE TO GET A RIDE BACK TO MINNESOTA AND MY CAR IS IN ND.

NHTSA ODI #10128201

74,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other

PAINT IS PEELING AROUND KEY HOLE ON TRUNK - AT THIS TIME APPROXIMATELY A 5 INCH DIAMETER CIRCLE SPOT. THE HOOD IS TURNING MILKY LOOKING. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND HAD BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. WE WERE TURNED DOWN DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE …

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PAINT IS PEELING AROUND KEY HOLE ON TRUNK - AT THIS TIME APPROXIMATELY A 5 INCH DIAMETER CIRCLE SPOT. THE HOOD IS TURNING MILKY LOOKING. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND HAD BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. WE WERE TURNED DOWN DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON YOUR 1998 BONNEVILLE REGARDING ANY PAINT CONCERNS.

NHTSA ODI #10070878

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Unknown Or Other

EMAIL FM DONALD MARK (NY) *PH. A DEFECTIVE PART CALLED PLENUM CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. *JB SCC

NHTSA ODI #10011814

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

AFTER REFUELING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED RADIATOR NEEDED WATER. WATER WAS COMING THROUGH RADIATOR, AND EXITING THROUGH EXHAUST SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015752

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 1999
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

THIS VEHICLE WAS IN REAREND COLLISION AND WAS TOTALED

NHTSA ODI #706022

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 1998
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON AT WILL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD TURNED OFF AT ONE OCCASION. ON OTHER OCCASION ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR UNKNOWN REASON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER SHOP, CONDITION KEEPS REOCCURRING, AND DEALER INFORMED COSUMER NOTHING COULD BE FOUNED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826179

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MPH AND SOMETIMES HIGHER SPEEDS, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF, LOSING POWER AND STEERING POWER. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ENGINE STOPS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE THEY SAID: THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMP THAT'S WHY THE ENGINE WAS NOT WORKING. …

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MPH AND SOMETIMES HIGHER SPEEDS, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF, LOSING POWER AND STEERING POWER. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ENGINE STOPS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE THEY SAID: THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMP THAT'S WHY THE ENGINE WAS NOT WORKING. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #819445

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.