FaultScore

FaultScore report

1990 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Owners have filed 45 complaints about the 1990 Pontiac Bonneville with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the brakes.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

45

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Pontiac Bonneville

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1990 Pontiac Bonneville

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 17 37.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Seat Belts 6 13.3%

Median failure at 163,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 6.7%

Median failure at 117,000 miles

Seats 3 6.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 6.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Body & Structure 3 6.7%
Electrical System 3 6.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Tires 2 4.4%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 4.4%
Engine & Cooling 2 4.4%
Lights 1 2.2%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 16 55.2%
Front 2 6.9%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 2 6.9%
Gasoline 2 6.9%
Latch 2 6.9%
Recliner 2 6.9%
Buckle Assembly 2 6.9%
Accelerator Pedal 1 3.4%

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.

Feb 1995 peak 4 Dec 2003

Recalls on the 1990 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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Massapequa, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SUSPECT RELATED CAMPAIGN FOR ABS HYDRALIC VALVE BLOCK (INTERMITTENT PULL IS WHEEL LOCKOUT).

NHTSA complaint #743565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI 2 injured

TIRES

FIRESTONE LEMANS TIRE P215 65 R15 EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND INJURING 2 CONSUMERS. (ATTORNEY STEVEN BUDAJ FOR CLIENT). *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI 2 injured

TIRES

FIRESTONE LEMANS TIRE P215 65 R15 EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND INJURING 2 CONSUMERS. (ATTORNEY STEVEN BUDAJ FOR CLIENT). *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

A VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED IN ALTERATOR WIRING HARNESS AFTER PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. STATE FARM INSURANCE ASKED CONSUMER TO NOTIFY NHTSA. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cambridge, MA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PEDAL BECAME FROZEN, WOULD NOT MOVE OR GO DOWN IN POSITION TO BRAKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #834658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evanston, IL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, ENGINE ACCELERATED, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, ACCELERATOR WENT TO FLOOR, NO WARNING, VEHICLE HIT TREE; NOTE : REPORTED BY ALL STATE INS. CO.

NHTSA complaint #803926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 117,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

AREA AROUND PLATE THAT HOLD HOOD LATCH PIN IN PLACE CORRODED, CRACKED AND FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10051144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS NOT STAYING LOCKED AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. MR

NHTSA complaint #568464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 163,000 miles Warren, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAT BUCKLE DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. MR

NHTSA complaint #8022443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Allis, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

ALL FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK FUEL AFTER THE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainville, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ACCLERATOR STUCK.

NHTSA complaint #562524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Attleboro, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE LIGHTS ON THIS MODEL, AND I HAVE SEEN MANY, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LENS. AS THEY AGED, THEY FADE AND BECOME VERY WHITE AND WEATHERED. IN THE DAYTIME IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOR THE PERSONS BEHIND THE CAR. I NOTICED THIS MYSELF BEHIND ONE. WHEN I WENT FOR INSPECTION, I WAS ASKED IF THE LIGHTS WERE OUT, THEN IT WAS REALIZED THAT THEY DO WORK. AT NIGHT THEY ARE MORE VISABLE. PONTIAC SHOUD REPLACE THE LENSES ON THESE CARS. THE LE AND SE MODELS DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY LOOK FINE, AND BRITE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #744632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Massapequa, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SUSPECT RELATED CAMPAIGN FOR ABS HYDRALIC VALVE BLOCK (INTERMITTENT PULL IS WHEEL LOCKOUT).

NHTSA complaint #743565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brookland, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE ON A TWO WAY STREET, BRAKES GOT HARD AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP PUMPING ON BRAKES UNTIL IT STARTED TO SLOW DOWN.*AK THE ABS FAILED TEICE AND THE CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHCILE.

NHTSA complaint #882729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Encinitas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT WAS NEVER FIXED AND WAS HARD TO DUPLICATE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE LOCKED OUT UNDER A PANIC STOP BUT THE ABS FAILS TO KICK IN AND THE CAR IS ESSENTIALLY BRAKELESS. OTHERS HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY DIED OR SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR IS A MISSLE.

NHTSA complaint #739088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI 2 injured

TIRES

FIRESTONE LEMANS TIRE P215 65 R15 EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND INJURING 2 CONSUMERS. (ATTORNEY STEVEN BUDAJ FOR CLIENT). *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI 2 injured

TIRES

FIRESTONE LEMANS TIRE P215 65 R15 EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND INJURING 2 CONSUMERS. (ATTORNEY STEVEN BUDAJ FOR CLIENT). *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

A VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED IN ALTERATOR WIRING HARNESS AFTER PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. STATE FARM INSURANCE ASKED CONSUMER TO NOTIFY NHTSA. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stewartville, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN ABS SYSTEM FAILED I HAD NO BRAKING, I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE THE THIRD ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #720326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savannah, GA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BELT IT WON'T LATCH. THERE IS NO CATCHING AND THE BUTTON HAS COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #847315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CAR STALLS--BRAKES AND STEERING ARE LOST. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #522813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SEATBACK LATCH COLLAPSED.

NHTSA complaint #845203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cambridge, MA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PEDAL BECAME FROZEN, WOULD NOT MOVE OR GO DOWN IN POSITION TO BRAKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #834658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palatine, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #604537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palatine, IL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DOOR LOCKS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #604537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broken Arrow, OK

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY IS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND WILL BARELY STOP CAR. SEAT BELT DO NOT TIGHTEN TO HOLD YOU FROM BEING THROWN, THEY ARE VERY LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #701832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broken Arrow, OK

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY IS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND WILL BARELY STOP CAR. SEAT BELT DO NOT TIGHTEN TO HOLD YOU FROM BEING THROWN, THEY ARE VERY LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #701832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALL WITHOUT WARNING, LOSSING BRAKES AND STEERING. SAME THING HAPPEN TO SECOND CAR 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER VIN# 1G1JC5117JJ224922.

NHTSA complaint #522813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fostoria, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAD TO HAVE AN ALTERNATOR INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE TWO TIMES A YEAR. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #822687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, DE

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

BOLTS THAT HOLD CUSHIONED SEAT ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM ALUMINUM MOUNTING RAILS, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN INTO BACK SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #523571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Northport, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #602277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.