RoadVitals

1991 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.
22
Latest Dec 3, 2008
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.
2
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.
0
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.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the brakes, interior & seats and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes625.0%
  • Interior & seats520.8%
  • Transmission312.5%
  • Engine312.5%
  • Driver assistance28.3%
  • Electrical14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%
  • Fuel system14.2%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
91V198000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Nov 14, 1991
6,866 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
The risk: THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARKPOSITION WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT ACTUALLY BEIN PARK, RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AGRADE. ALSO, THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUTTURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT BE IN THE POSITION INDICATED,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BOTH CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 22
Transmission
Filed Dec 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V015000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10250651
Incident
Dec 3, 2008
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2006
Fire reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ROD BEARING FRACTURED ALONG THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE TO ERUPT WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SPREAD THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR AND INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10165522
Incident
Jul 7, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER MARKET MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS BECAUSE THE PLUNGER PIN KEPT BREAKING. THIS CAUSED BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UNABLE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, FENCO / FENWICK AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS.*AK CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE ALL FAILED. THE FIRST FAILED 79 DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION. THE SECOND ONE FAILED IMMEDIATELY WHILE BEING BLEED. THE THIRD ON FAILED WITH LESS THAN 1 MILE AND THE FOURTH ONE FAILED 150 MILES LATER. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THEIR POSITION IS TO TEST THE MASTER CYLINDER FIRST AND THEN THE PIN IF NECESSARY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID
10041965
Incident
Jul 3, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 1, 2002

I HAVE CHANGED THE DASH AND HAD ALL WIRING CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE EXCEPT THAT I HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. *AK

NHTSA ID
757637
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 12, 2000

THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA ID
558113
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 28, 1999

METAL HOLDING THE CATCH PIN ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD IS PRONE TO STRESS CRACKS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH, THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
852084
Incident
Oct 27, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 10, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY I WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNK DRIVER GOING APPROX. 70-75MPH. I WAS HIT IN THE LEFT REAR OF THE CAR AND I WAS IMMEDIATELY THROWN BACK.AFTER PULLING OVER I FOUND OUT THAT THE SEAT BACK HAD BROKEN AND WAS IN THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION. I WAS UNABLE TO PULL THE SEAR BACK TO IT'S UPRIGHT POSITION, IT ONLY WENT HALF OF THAT DISTANCE.

NHTSA ID
704252
Incident
Feb 21, 1999
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 1999

WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH VEHICLE CUTS OFF, DOES NOT MOVE. IN FIVE MINUTES IT WILL SOMETIMES START AGAIN. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
835064
Incident
Feb 1, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

731608

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1991Viewing222051.6
1990391046.4
1989282049.5
1988171454.8
1987194862.2
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.