RoadVitals

1987 Pontiac Bonneville

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest May 7, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering523.8%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Engine314.3%
  • Transmission29.5%
  • Interior & seats29.5%
  • Seat belts29.5%
  • Brakes14.8%
  • Heating & air conditioning14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V080000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

May 16, 1988
35,057 units potentially affected
The defect: EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
The risk: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V135000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Sep 1, 1987
479,715 units potentially affected
The defect: AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The risk: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA90017ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Mar 26, 1990
Closed Apr 22, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89171ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Sep 26, 1989
Closed Mar 26, 1990

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89028ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKE PIN

Opened Jul 28, 1989
Closed Jul 27, 1990

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).===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89145ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE CABLE

Opened Jul 21, 1989
Closed Sep 22, 1989

===

PARKING BRAKE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
Engine
Filed May 7, 2003

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10018373
Incident
May 7, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed May 9, 2001

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 *JB

NHTSA ID
887853
Incident
May 8, 1989
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 11, 2000
Fire reported

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 ID
727578
Incident
Sep 20, 1998
Transmission
Filed Apr 10, 2000

WHENEVER IN DRIVE AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IT WOULD REAR ENDED IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
860002
Incident
Feb 19, 2000
Filed Mar 30, 1999

PAINT ON CAR IS PEELING TERRIBLY. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
705117
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 1998

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
824870
Steering
Filed Nov 7, 1997

COLD STEERING. POWER STEERING DIES, DOES NOT WORK UNTIL ENGINE WARMS UP WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELLOW 40 DEGREES. *AK

NHTSA ID
524491
Incident
Jan 1, 1991
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 1997

STEERING RACK FAILED.MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ID
526687
Incident
Jul 26, 1994

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Bonneville by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006000—
2005270037.3
2004280036.5
2003542052.9
2002892255.6
20011290249.3
20002142359.0
19991434462.0
19982772261.6
19971472259.3
19961503260.6
19952441044.4
1994880043.4
19931381151.5
19921133262.7
1991222051.6
1990391046.4
1989282049.5
1988171454.8
1987Viewing194862.2
1986338—
1985113—
1984121—
1983010—
1982110—
1981100—
1979211—
1978320—
1977140—
1976010—
1975030—
1974010—
1972020—
1971020—
1969020—
1966020—
1965010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.