FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the steering.
24
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
BRAKE FAILURE
BRAKE FAILURE
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REAR BRAKE PIN
SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===
PARKING BRAKE CABLE
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REAR BRAKE PIN
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ANTI LOCK BRAKES
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STALLING
SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT STALLING IS DUE TO VARIOUS FAULTYCOMPONENTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FOLLOWINGMODELS ARE INVOLVED:BUICK ELECTRA, LESABRE, RIVERA, CENTURY; OLDS CUTLASSCIERA, 88, 98, TORONADO; PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.WE ARE CONTINUING TO ANALYZEINFORMATION PROVIDED BY GM AND ARE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREQUEST TO GM TO CLARIFY CERTAIN TECHNICAL ITEMS.===
THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:GM REPORTED KNOWLEDGE OF 137OWNER COMPLAINTS, 317 FIELD REPORTS, AND 2 LAWSUITS, IN ADDITION TO THEREPORTS RECEIVED DIRECTLY BY THE NHTSA.THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY GM CITETHE OCCURRENCE OF 263 ACCIDENTS,INCLUDING 77 INJURY ACCIDENTS, 100 INJURIESAND 1 FATALITY.SEVERAL POSSIBLE MODES OF THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE OR MALFUNCTIONARE UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THIS PE, INCLUDING SELF-ACTUATION, FAILURE TODEACTIVATE UPON DRIVER COMMAND, AND THROTTLE SYSTEM STICKING OR BINDING.HAVING EVALUATED THE 456REPORTS RECEIVED DIRECTLY AND THE 36 CONSUMERCOMPLAINTS SUBM...
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Engine
EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLE'S FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE WILL BE REPLACED IF REQUIRED.
Electrical
UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD, THE IN-LINE FUSEABLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE PLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET, MAY MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Lights And Instruments
ON VEHICLES WITH FOGLAMPS, THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY OVERHEAT AT LOW BEAM RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP CIRCUIT. AN INTERMITTENT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE THE HEADLAMPS AND FOGLAMPS TO SUDDENLY GO OUT. UNDER NIGHTTIME OR SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THIS COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: WIRING WILL BE REVISED FOR THE FORWARD LAMP CIRCUIT ON SUSPECT VEHICLES.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE - NOTE : VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING, DOORS LOCKED DOWN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF INERIOR LIGHTS, CONTROL SWITCH SUNK/MELTED INTO DASH. DASH ABLAZE WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES, ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER. ESCAPED THROUGH OPEN WINDOW. VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #727578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE FREE FROM VEHICLE, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #481495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR WILL MOMENTARILY HESITATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. IT IS PERIODIC AND NOT CONSISTENT, THEREFORE, HARD TO DUPLICATE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I ASKED GM TO E-MAIL SOME OF THEIR NATIONWIDE PONTIAC DEALERSHIPS AND ASK FOR THEIR INPUT ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSED. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING MOVING TRAFFIC. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WILL REMEMBER THAT WHEN I PURCHASE MY NEXT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10018373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHILE SITTING IN SEAT AND LEANING BACK PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS FELL BACK, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT SEAT BACK UP, BUT IF CONTINUING TO LEAN IT WOULD COME BACK DOWN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN AN ANCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #887853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SITTING IN SEAT AND LEANING BACK PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS FELL BACK, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT SEAT BACK UP, BUT IF CONTINUING TO LEAN IT WOULD COME BACK DOWN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN AN ANCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #887853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING, DOORS LOCKED DOWN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF INERIOR LIGHTS, CONTROL SWITCH SUNK/MELTED INTO DASH. DASH ABLAZE WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES, ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER. ESCAPED THROUGH OPEN WINDOW. VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #727578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHENEVER IN DRIVE AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IT WOULD REAR ENDED IT.
NHTSA complaint #860002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT ON CAR IS PEELING TERRIBLY. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #705117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE DIES OUT, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER ALSO NO STEERING. ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED WHICH TEMPORARY CORRECTED THE PROBELM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #824870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
COLD STEERING. POWER STEERING DIES, DOES NOT WORK UNTIL ENGINE WARMS UP WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELLOW 40 DEGREES.
NHTSA complaint #524491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING RACK FAILED.MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT.
NHTSA complaint #526687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
COLD POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #520256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY (SINCE NEW) AND DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OR RESOLVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #546593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP, VEHICLE WILL STOP. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #818795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY LEAKS, CAUSING CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #508860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
PURCHASE CAR USED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . TT CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING IS COLD IN THE AM AND PM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THE WHEEL IS HARD TO STEER UNTIL IT LOOSENS UP, AND THEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT LOCKS MOMENTARILY.
NHTSA complaint #973198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
PURCHASE CAR USED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . TT CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING IS COLD IN THE AM AND PM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THE WHEEL IS HARD TO STEER UNTIL IT LOOSENS UP, AND THEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT LOCKS MOMENTARILY.
NHTSA complaint #973198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS. TT
NHTSA complaint #971790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #486423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #486423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #486423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #486423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A PATICULAR DAY. TT
NHTSA complaint #966673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE FREE FROM VEHICLE, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #481495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. TT
NHTSA complaint #965682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #480771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.