RoadVitals

1992 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.
113
Latest Nov 16, 2016
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.
3
Latest Jan 23, 1996
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.
2
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.
18
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 20 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

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

3 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
96V015000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Jan 23, 1996
585,182 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
The risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
91V167000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

Sep 23, 1991
20,765 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
91V131000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Aug 5, 1991
1,570 units potentially affected
The defect: TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET, CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE, AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
The risk: THE DISENGAGED CABLE COULD FALSELY INDICATE TRANSMISSIONGEAR POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE LEFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN THE DRIVERMOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PARK OR THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. A VEHICLE LEFT ON ANINCLINE WITHOUT PARKING BRAKES WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS PLACED IN PARK COULDMOVE. EITHER CASE RESULTS IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET ON TOP OF TRANSAXLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA93011ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL LINE FAILURE

Opened May 3, 1993
Closed May 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92010ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS

Opened Jan 27, 1992
Closed May 22, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 113
Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2016

THERE R NO BRAKES PUT BRAKES ON WILL GO ALL THE WAY TOO FLOOR U GOT TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE VERY DANGERS HEARD THERE IS A RECALL ON BRAKE BOOSTER

NHTSA ID
10926504
Incident
Nov 14, 2016
Mileage
288,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568831
Incident
Mar 18, 1998
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Feb 23, 2011
1 injury reported

WHILE WORKING IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR AREA OF THE VEHICLE MY SHIRT/BELT ACTIVATED THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT CONTROL. THE SEAT ADVANCED FORWARD TO THE END OF THE SEATS TRAVEL AND PINNING ME UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER DASHBOARD AREA OF THE CAR. MY LEFT UPPER ARM AND LEFT WRIST WERE ENTRAPPED IN AROUND THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY RIGHT ARM WAS ENTRAPPED BY IN THE GAS PEDAL AREA, THE THROTTLE PUNCTURED MY RIGHT WRIST. I WAS UNABLE TO SUMMONS HELP, AND AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS WAS NEAR EXHAUSTION, AND TO FREE MYSELF I WAS FORCED TO SELF CAUSE INJURES TO MY LEFT ELBOW, LEFT UPPER ARM, AND RIGHT ARM TO FREE MYSELF FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER DASH AREA OF THE CAR. I SUSTAIN SEVERAL CUTS ON MY ARMS, CHEST, AND BACK. EMERGENCY ROOM EXAMINATIONS AND TESTS SHOWED POSSIBLE RIB FRACTURES, DEEP BRUISING OF THE CHEST, BACK, AND LEFT UPPER ARM AND LEFT ELBOW, INTERCOSTAL CHEST WALL MUSCLES. I FEEL THE CAUSE OF THIS EVENT WAS THE LOCATION OF THE POWER SEAT SWITCH IN THE FRONT OF THE SEAT TOWARDS THE OUTER SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. ANY SERVICE ACTIVITIES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR AREA IS AT HIGH RISK OF ENTRAPPING THE INDIVIDUAL OF ENTRAPMENT BY THE POWER DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA ID
10385052
Incident
Feb 18, 2011
Mileage
152,800 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CARRIAGE HAD FRACTURED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10347777
Incident
Jul 27, 2010
Mileage
128,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 28, 2008

TIRE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232584
Incident
Jun 21, 2008
Mileage
177,445 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 28, 2008

BELT SEPARATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232583
Incident
Mar 28, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 26, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10232402
Incident
Jun 25, 2008
Mileage
190,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 30, 2007

1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW OFF. *MC ACCORDING TO THE POLICE OFFICERS EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, IT SHOWED 1 STUD REMAINING WITH THE OTHER 4 SHEARED OFF AT THE ROTOR. THE THREADS ON THE REMAINING STUD APPEARED TO BE INTACT INDICATING THE LUG NUT BACKED OFF OR WAS MISSING. THE THREADS SHOWED NO DAMAGE TO INDICATE THE WHEEL HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB A VEHICLE QUESTIONAIRE WAS MAILED TO CUSTOMER TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE COMPLAINT. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *TR

NHTSA ID
10190058
Incident
Feb 1, 2007

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

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

990730030

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

832006

STRUCTURE:BODY

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC

831704

STRUCTURE:BODY

CONCERNS OF DOOR HANDLES ON WHITE PAINTED VEHICLES TRUNING YELLOW. *YC

98833005

SUSPENSION

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE

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
1992Viewing1133262.7
1991222051.6
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.