Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 Pontiac Bonneville
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
925.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Seat Belts
411.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
411.4%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Suspension
38.6%
Body & Structure
38.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks
25.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
25.7%
Engine & Cooling
25.7%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Seats
12.9%
Tires
12.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.9%
Lights
12.9%
Median failure at 56,544 miles
Steering
12.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
12.9%
When owners complained
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.
May 1995peak 3Mar 2014
Recalls on the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville
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.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
88V143000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Risk: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE BECOMES INVERTEDMISSING VALVE COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198812699 units in Canada
Fuel System
THE FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE BECAME INVERTED, A MISSING FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. CORRECTION: FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Porter, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE HAD TWO BONNEVILLES' AN 1988' AND A 1989' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR BRAKE TROUBLES WITH BOTH VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #747971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #728434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash1 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #728434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gambier, OH2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL SELF ACTIVATED INTO SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING A COLLISION .
NHTSA complaint #528614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesWatertown, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND SCARED TO DEATH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, WAITED AND RESTARTED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FRASIER PONTIAC IN AMESBURY MASS), AND THEY COULD NOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM; THEY FOUND NOTHING. WHEN IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR; DRIVE IT AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM DID HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS (HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH) AND HE LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PART, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC IGNITION CIRCUIT BOARD. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY FOUND A GM SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I SOLD THE CAR, NEVER TO BUY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. (BEFORE THIS PURCHASE, I OWNED A GM DIESEL; ENOUGH SAID). MY HEART GOES OUT TO ANY DRIVER THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCARE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10568851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWatertown, MA
ENGINE
READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND SCARED TO DEATH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, WAITED AND RESTARTED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FRASIER PONTIAC IN AMESBURY MASS), AND THEY COULD NOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM; THEY FOUND NOTHING. WHEN IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR; DRIVE IT AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM DID HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS (HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH) AND HE LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PART, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC IGNITION CIRCUIT BOARD. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY FOUND A GM SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I SOLD THE CAR, NEVER TO BUY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. (BEFORE THIS PURCHASE, I OWNED A GM DIESEL; ENOUGH SAID). MY HEART GOES OUT TO ANY DRIVER THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCARE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10568851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pekin, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CLOSING MY DOORS. NOW 3 OF MY 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR BY PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I AM NOW HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A 1988 BONNEVILLE, THAT DID THE EXACT THING. I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME TRYING TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL, THIS CAR WAS CHECKED FOR DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS NEW, I STILL HAVE THE PAPER WORK WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN. THE PAPER WORK SAID THAT IT WAS CHECKED, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND IT'S STILL HAVING THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10241752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pekin, IL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CLOSING MY DOORS. NOW 3 OF MY 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR BY PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I AM NOW HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A 1988 BONNEVILLE, THAT DID THE EXACT THING. I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME TRYING TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL, THIS CAR WAS CHECKED FOR DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS NEW, I STILL HAVE THE PAPER WORK WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN. THE PAPER WORK SAID THAT IT WAS CHECKED, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND IT'S STILL HAVING THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10241752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,544 milesCentralia, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS BUSTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10065066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN Nuys, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE APPLYING HIS BRAKES THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES WHEN HE APPLY HIS BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lantana, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AT 65 MPH THE TREAD PEELED AWAY FROM TIRE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL.THEY TIRE KEPT ITS AIR AND I DROVE ON THE BELTS FOR AID.THERE WAS 50000 MILES ON THE TIRE BUT THEY (THE OTHER REAR WAS THE SAME TYPE)HAD GOOD TREAD ON THEM.I BOUGHT TWO NEW TIRESTHE NEXT DAY.THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SPARCE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. *AK (TIRESIZE: P20570R15)
NHTSA complaint #753212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Porter, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE HAD TWO BONNEVILLES' AN 1988' AND A 1989' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR BRAKE TROUBLES WITH BOTH VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #747971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Porter, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON THIS CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE FIXED. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/65/15)
NHTSA complaint #747973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mosinee, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER AT 45MPH WHEN SUBFRAME SEPARATED. DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. MANAGED TO PULL OVER. STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME.
NHTSA complaint #876177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vestal, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, FIRST DRIVE ON THE ROAD THE BRAKES FAILED, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ANIT-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGED RETURNING A ROCK HARD PEDAL BUT DID NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES, AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS, THE PEDAL RELEASED AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #728434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash1 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #728434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
BEFORE THE DOORS JAMMED/THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BEGAN TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES - NOT ONE OF THE DOORS JAMMED, BUT ALL FOUR- ALSO THE ABS HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR- I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT EACH OF MY DOORS, AND THE UNHEARD OF PRICES THE DEALER WAS CHARGING, BEFORE FINALLY SAYING THEY CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #722342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BEFORE THE DOORS JAMMED/THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BEGAN TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES - NOT ONE OF THE DOORS JAMMED, BUT ALL FOUR- ALSO THE ABS HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR- I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT EACH OF MY DOORS, AND THE UNHEARD OF PRICES THE DEALER WAS CHARGING, BEFORE FINALLY SAYING THEY CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #722342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY LOCK ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, AND SOMETIMES CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY, THIS CAUSED A CHILD TO BE LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR HOURS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #847474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mississauga, CD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
LEFT REAR BALL JOINT GAVE WAY, ALLOWING LEFT REAR FORK TO COLLAPSE. FORK THEN JAMMED ITSELF AGAINST THE INSIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL RIM, PREVENTING THE WHEEL FROM ROTATING IN EITHER DIRECTION. PROBLEM--REAR INDEPENDENT STRUT SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #532669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Summit, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. KNOCKED OVER A SIGN. MOTOR WAS RACING VERY HIGH, AND FINALLY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #837952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten ISL, NY
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKETS SPLIT CAUSING SEAT TO TILT BACK, SEAT BELTS GET STUCK WITH DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING.
NHTSA complaint #604589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten ISL, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKETS SPLIT CAUSING SEAT TO TILT BACK, SEAT BELTS GET STUCK WITH DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING.
NHTSA complaint #604589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TEVES ABS KICKS IN UNDER ALL BRAKING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #536401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norridge, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norridge, IL
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
STRUTS FAILED..
NHTSA complaint #604496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norridge, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.