FaultScore

1993 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems

20 of the 183 complaints about the 1993 Pontiac Bonneville are about the engine — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 225,532 miles.

F

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 11 55.0%
Engine 2 10.0%
Catalytic Convertor 2 10.0%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 2 10.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 5.0%
Turbo/Supercharger 1 5.0%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 1 5.0%

Engine & Cooling across every Pontiac Bonneville year

1992 11 1.8%
1993 20 3.4%
1994 18 3.0%
1995 58 9.7%
1996 49 8.2%
1997 59 9.9%
1998 217 36.4%
1999 60 10.1%
2000 43 7.2%
2001 31 5.2%
2002 15 2.5%
2003 15 2.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 233,065 miles Cathedral City, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. A FEW HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S OIL WAS BLACK. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OIL CHANGE WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM ENGINE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, MIDAS FAILS TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS THE RECEIPT AND PAPERWORK FROM THE EVENT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 233,065.

NHTSA complaint #10190306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lauderdale, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10059104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 218,000 miles Warrensburg, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND TRIED TO START CAR. CAR MADE LOUD BOOM AND BLEW OFF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BALL OF FLAME SHOT UP. MY CHILDREN WERE NEARBY AND PLASTIC PARTS WENT SHOOTING ALL AROUND NEARBY AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10054251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calumet Ciyt, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

HEY, HOW YOU DOING. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I TOOK MY MOTHERS ([XXX]) 93 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE INTO THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP ON 159TH ST IN SOUTHHOLLAND ILLINOIS. I KNOW THAT DEALERSHIPS HAVE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. THE PROBLEM IS, MY MOTHER'S CAR WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED A TURBO GASKET AND A MANIFOLD GASKET. WHEN THE JOB WAS DONE THEY TOLD ME THE BILL CAME TO SIX HUNDRED AND SOMETHING DOLLARS. HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS STILL NOT RUNNING BECAUSE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO GET A NEW TURBO SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM IS, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S FAIR FOR THE DEALERSHIPS, CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO BE MAKING GUESSES ON WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING I DON'T NEED, THE CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING, BECAUSE THE MECHANIC DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. ON TOP OF THAT, YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR CAR TO NO PLACE BETTER THAN THE DEALERSHIP .*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10021164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jamesville, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

GMC CONVERTER LOCK-UP PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #760440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pitt, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

A LEAK IS INSIDE OF ENGINE COOLANT LINE CAN CAUSE A FIRE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8006312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED ON A DAILY BASIS. TOOK VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER, WHO COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #886942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SIDE WALLS ON 3 OF FOUR TIRES FAILED AND BLOW OUT (DOT NUMBER: ? TIRESIZE: P225/60R16)

NHTSA complaint #735815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stevensville, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TRANMISSION OIL COOLING LINES, DURING NORMAL OPERATION, DEVELOP A HOLE DUE TO TO VIBRATION/RUBBING ON A GUIDE BRACKET WHICH IS MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKS OUT, WETTING DOWN THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR AND INNER AREA OF THE FRONT WHEEL, IN THE AREA OF THE DISC BRAKE. CAR WAS SERVICED AT SEELYE WRIGHT PONTIAC, SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN, TO REPLACE PIPE.

NHTSA complaint #716820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING FROM CARBONDALE ILL. TO CHICAGO THE ENGINE FAILED AND STOPPED RUNNING AT 65MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WORDEN/MARTIN PONTIAC AT 100 CARRIAGE CENTER CT. ,CHAMPAIGN,ILL. 61820 /PHONE#(800)525-8689. I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MGR DAN HILDENBRAND THAT THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF "PRE-IGNITION" .I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM THAT COST ME$3,078.12USC. ALL I GOT FRPM GM WAS "THAT WILL COST YOU $3,078.12 .

NHTSA complaint #712970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Corpus Christi, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WILL NOT START, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/ CRANKSHAFT SENSOR MODULE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #842355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middle HOP, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #544845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cabot, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VALVE LIFTER ROLLER CAME APART AND GROUND UP DESTROYING CAM AND ROCKER ARM

NHTSA complaint #703154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sauk Rapids, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN STARTING CAR LOUD POPPING NOISE IS HEARD. ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN ENGINE IS REVVED UP TO 3000 RPMS. DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING. ONLY IN PARK.

NHTSA complaint #700602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schaumburg, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

OIL AND FILTER WAS CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES . I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH GM 3.8 ENGINES. IS THIS THE SAME BLOCK AS THE 3 .0 AND IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH OIL? THIS IS TO LOW OF MILES FOR A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #700527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Everett, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH THE VEHICLE MAKES A CHIME SOUND 3 TIMES. THE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #829309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Bend, IN Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40-45 MPH, DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK AREA OF VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVER STOPPED TO CHECK OUT CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #818551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flushing, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

PERFECT WORIKING CONDITION; HALF AN HOUR AFTER BEING PARKED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK CONSUMER STATES RECALL 95-C-68 WAS COMPLETED IN MAY OF 1996 REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF A COOLER HOSE, CONSUMER STATES THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #804925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westlake, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #504907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarkston, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #482451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Pontiac Bonneville problems

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