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1998 problems

FaultScore report

1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Owners have filed 359 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville with NHTSA between 1997 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 13 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Pontiac Bonneville All 1998 cars

FaultScore 77/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Pontiac Bonneville.

How this is worked out

The numbers

359

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

70,226 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 100: Against the median year of the Pontiac Bonneville. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 85: 16.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 7: 4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other Pontiac Bonneville

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 4 2 2 1 1 2 3 24 20 35 45 26 139 183 123 330 181 188 359 176 301 179 113 67 38 37

77 78 79 81 82 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

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

What breaks on a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville

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

Engine & Cooling 217 60.4%

1 crashes, 28 fires · median 70,226 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 37 10.3%

1 crashes, 5 fires · median 61,513 mi

Electrical System 32 8.9%

1 crashes, 6 fires · median 81,062 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 14 3.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 92,136 mi

Other & Unspecified 8 2.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 74,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 8 2.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 118,500 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 2.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 49,585 mi

Brakes 7 1.9%

Median failure at 78,836 miles

Steering 7 1.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi

Lights 5 1.4%

Equipment & Accessories 4 1.1%

Median failure at 49,378 miles

Body & Structure 4 1.1%

Median failure at 105,673 miles

Airbags 4 1.1%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi

Suspension 2 0.6%

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 0.3%

Tires 1 0.3%

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.

Gasoline 52 26.1%

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 47 23.6%

Engine 34 17.1%

Cooling System 25 12.6%

Delivery 16 8.0%

Carburetor System 11 5.5%

Automatic Transmission 8 4.0%

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 6 3.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 0.7%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 2.0%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 18 12.2%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 65 43.9%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 33 22.3%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 25 16.9%

150,000+ miles 3 2.0%

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.

Nov 1997 peak 13 Sep 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville

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.

EA02030 Opened 22 Oct 2002 Closed 9 Mar 2004 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

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 VEHICL...

PE02050 Opened 13 Jun 2002 Closed 22 Oct 2002 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Recalls on the 1998 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

09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V090000 24 Feb 2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

Risk: 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2003283 12 Nov 2003 40,397 units in Canada

Engine

On certain vehicles, a combination of a low battery condition and fuel in the upper intake manifold while the ignition key is activated at engine start could cause an elevated rate of manifold over-pressurization events. The operator may experience a loud bang / intake backfire that could rupture the intake manifold, resulting in emitting dust from under the hood and a no-start condition. If this event were to occur, and if an ignition source were present, an engine compartment fire could occur. Correction: Dealer will replace the fuel pressure regulator.

Recall 1999128 28 Jun 1999 11,876 units in Canada

Emissions

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. Vehicles were built with incorrect emission control labels. The emission control (tune up) labels have an incorrect emission vacuum hose routing schematic. Correction: Dealers will install a new vehicle emission control label on the radiator support.

Recall 1998034 20 Feb 1998 4,789 units in Canada

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1101 - EMISSION DEVICE. IMPROPER CALIBRATION OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RESULT IN UNCONTROLLED SPARK KNOCK, SETTING AN MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP), MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, AUDIBLE KNOCK AND/OR POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. CORRECTION: VEHICLE PCM WILL BE REFLASHED WITH NEW CALIBRATION SOFTWEAR.

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.

Filed 17 Sep 2015 Fargo, ND Fire

ENGINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINS AFTER SHUTDOWN. INCIDENT 2015-00001363

NHTSA complaint #10764467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 May 2014 at 164,000 miles Columbus, OH Crash 1 injured

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE ROAD DIVIDER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. DR

NHTSA complaint #10593415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 8 Apr 2013 at 62,000 miles Springfield, VT Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MELTED AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10507450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Mar 2013 at 258,000 miles Indianapolis, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, I GOT A WHIFF OF A BURNING SMELL, 2 DAYS IN A ROW, SHORT QUICK SCENT. NEXT 4 DAYS, SMELLED NOTHING (EVEN DROVE CAR 80 MILES ONE WAY AND BACK). DAY OF INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE HEATER VENT. I INCREASED SPEED TO ABOUT 30 MPH TO GET TO A SAFE SPOT, AND BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED OUT OF HEAT VENT ON TOP OF DASHBOARD, AND FRONT OF DASHBOARD. TURNED CORNER TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, CAME TO A STOP AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF CIGARETTE LIGHTER, AND AIR VENT IN FRONT OF DASH. HEATER WAS OFF, RADIO WAS OFF, AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS NOT BEING USED. CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES. CAR TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10502559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jan 2008 Summerville, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AUTO ACCIDENT. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IMPACT THEN ROLLED 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10213492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Sep 2005 at 15,000 miles Greenboro, NC Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, PUT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TRIED MASHING ON THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING, THE MORE THE CONSUMER MASHED ON THE BRAKES THE FASTER THE VEHICLE WENT. VEHICLE HIT A BRICK BUILDING ON JUNE 6, 2005. CONTACTED PONTIAC, THEY SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR. THEN, THEY SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE ALLEGATION HAD NO MERIT. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED FROM THE AIR BAGS.

NHTSA complaint #10136444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Filed 17 Sep 2015 Fargo, ND Fire

ENGINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINS AFTER SHUTDOWN. INCIDENT 2015-00001363

NHTSA complaint #10764467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Apr 2015 at 105,673 miles Centralia, IL

POWER TRAIN

THE BACK TWO CRADLE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED OUT AND MOUNTS PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE FILLING AND CAUSING STEERING TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WHEN HIT BRAKES FRONT WOULD DART ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE FROM CRADLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING BUMPS TRIED THE FIND ONE IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL ARE THAT WAY.