RoadVitals

1992 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 3, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 113 · page 1 of 5

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
Electrical
Filed Jul 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COIL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SIX TIMES. EACH TIME THE PARTS FAIL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF BEING INSTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10162716
Incident
Jul 18, 2006
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 14, 2004

FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY CLEARCOAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF LIKE A BAD SUNBURN. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE. IT'S HAPPENING ON THE ENTIRE HOOD AND ON BOTH FRONT FENDERS. I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE REST OF THE CAR LOOKS BRAND NEW. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR. I WAS JUST TOLD RECENTLY THAT I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE AGE OF THE CAR , THE COATING SHOULD NOT BE COMING OFF LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ID
10066190
Incident
Aug 8, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Mar 17, 2004

LOSS OF FUEL ON RIGHT HAND TURN, CHRONIC WHEN FUEL IS AROUND 1/3 LEVEL, CAUSED BY INCORRECT FUEL STRAINER POSITION. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS WIDESPREAD AMONG 92 GM H-BODY OWNERS. SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY. LOSS OF POWER CAN CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HIT MERGING CAR. THE DATE LISTED IS MY PERSONAL FIRST EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED BEFORE IN OTHER 92 GM H-BODY CARS, MY MOTHER'S AND MY BROTHER'S. *NM

NHTSA ID
10062463
Incident
Jun 13, 2000
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 14, 2003

CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES ON AND OFF WHENEVER A/C IS ON.VERY DIM LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.*AK

NHTSA ID
10032859
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
153,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 2, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ID
8020098
Incident
Oct 1, 2002
BrakesHeating & air conditioning
Filed Feb 4, 2002

FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM CREATED A LOSS OF FATH IN ABS AS A MEANS OF STOPPING. DONOT TRUST THAT IT WILL WORK SPENT 2X'S ORIG . COST TO FIX. AIR CONDITIONER LOST FREON DUE TO LEAKS IN THE COIL BUILT IN THE DASH. THIS CAUSED OIL TO PLUG THE FINS THUS BLOCKING AIR FLOW. IT WAS STATED THAT GM USED A CRIMPING PROCESS INSTEAD OF SODERING THE FINS WHEN THEY BUILT THIS TYPE OF RECEIVER.IF YOU DO NOT FIX , YOU WILL NOT GET FULL AIR FOR THE DEFROSTERS TO WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
757756
Incident
Aug 30, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL FROM GAS TANK, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED.*AK. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL TANK SENDER, GAS TANK, AND GAS TANK STRAP, ALL DUE TO A GAS LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8002706
Incident
Jan 22, 2002
Transmission
Filed Jan 1, 2002

TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLTS HAVE FALLEN OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES EVEN THOUGH REPLACED WITH THE CORRECT BOLTS AND CORRECT LOC-TITE. WHEN THEY FALL OUT THE DRIVETRAIN DROPS ONTO MY STEERING ASSEMBLY CAUSING IT TO PULL ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER OR SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO GO LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. NOW MY STEERING IS MESSY EVEN WITH TRANNY MOUNT BOLTS INSTALLED THE STEERING ASS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN 'STRETCHED' CAUSING IT TO PULL BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME OR SOMETIMES REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT (TIRES SEAM TO WEAR EVENLY -THOUGH IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE). TIRE SHOP FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS BALL JOINTS BUT DECIDED NO BAD BALL JOINTS. ALSO MANY TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR UP ON RAMPS OR A JACK TO CHANGE TO MY SUMMER WHEELS OR CHANGE OIL THE E-BRAKE DOESN'T WANT TO HOLD. I PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND COMES BACK UP ALMOST ALL THE WAY. ONLY ONCE OR TWICE IN THE 12 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR HAS THE E-BRAKE HELD. SOMETIMES IT WILL HOLD FOR A SECOND OR TWO BUT THEN IT RELEASES OR 'SLIPS'. THESE PROBLEMS BOTHER ME ESPECIALLY AFTER SEEING THE CORROSION RECALL FOR OTHER GM CARS FOR PROBLEMS LIKE MY DRIVETRAIN MOUNT BOLT HOLES CORROSION PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
756280
Incident
Dec 31, 2001
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 6, 2001
Crash reported

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEED, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES, I RECOVED 3 WHEEL STUDS FROM THE ROAD WITH LUG NUTS STILL INTACT.*AK

NHTSA ID
740524
Incident
Feb 3, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jan 19, 2001

USING TRACTION CONTROL ON ABS BRAKES BURNED OPEN. TRACTION CONTROL WAS TOO LIGHT FOR AREAS GETTING LOTS OF SNOW. HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL AT ALL. EXPERIENCING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO LOST OF TRACTION CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
878620
Incident
Dec 21, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2000

WHILE STOPPED THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND FORCED THE VEHICLE FORWARD INTO THE BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT. *MJS

NHTSA ID
554637
Electrical
Filed Aug 26, 2000

VOLTAGE FALLS AND MOTOR QUITS IN HEAT. BATTERY IS DEAD. REPLACING ALT & BATT DOES NOT HELP. VOLTAGE GETS LOWER AS HEAT BUILDS UNTIL BATTERY DIES. ENGINE FALTERS AND QUITS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (DIDN'T HAPPEN BEFORE). SSEI DOES NOT HAVE A VOLTMETER AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE BATTERY LIGHT COME ON IN ANY OF THE EVENTS (THOUGHT IT IS WEAK AND HARD TO SEE SO WE CAN'T BE SURE). DEALER KNOWS NOTHING. WE HAVE NOT FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM. I INSTALLED THE 130 AMPERE OPTION ALTERNATOR (FOR CARS WITH ELECTRICALLY HEATED WINDSHIELDS) THE LAST TIME AND HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE VOLTAGE. THE VOLTAGE DROPS STEADILY AS HEAT BUILDS, BUT SEEMS TO STOP AT ABOUT 13 VOLTS (I DIDN'T ADD VOLTMETER BEFORE GOING TO THE LARGER ALTERNATOR SO I DON'T KNOW HOW LOW VOLTAGE WENT IN EARLIER EVENTS .. THOUGH I DID EXPERIEMENT WITH SEMI-DEAD BETTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR DISCONNETED AND THE ENGINE QUITS AT ABOUT 10 VOLTS). I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM ON YOUR WEB SITE AND I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER SSEI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL HAVE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND/OR BATTERY TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA ID
729216
Incident
Jun 1, 1995
Engine
Filed May 26, 2000

CAR IS CUTTING OFF, EVERYTHING CUTS OFF, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK WHEN CAR SHUTS OFF. *AK *JB *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******723212.

NHTSA ID
10006332
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2000

I HEARD A POPPING SOUND TWICE WITH IN ONE MILE OF EACH OTHER AS I WAS APPROACHING STOP LIGHTS. THEN HEARD A GRINDING SOUND AS I DROVE ON . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SPRINGS IN THE REAR DRUMS HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO THE DRUMS AND BRAKING SYSTEM. I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT A MANFACTURE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO . I PAID $501.66 TO GET IT FIXED. TODAY 05/16/2000 I READ IN THE PAPER THAT GM HAS SETTLED A LAWSUIT IN NEW JERSY AGREEING TO PAY FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS IN OTHER GM CARS OF THIS VINTAGE BUT IT DOES NOT METION THE BONNEVILLE. EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AS THE ONES THAT WERE LISTED IN THE LAWSUIT. *AK

NHTSA ID
722781
Incident
Feb 21, 1998
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Feb 1, 2000

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK BACK IN DECEMBER. I LIVE ABOUT 4 MILES FROM WORK. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAN BELT OR ANOTHER KIND OF BELT. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25-30MPH. SMOKE STARTED POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS SCARED THAT IT WAS GOING TO BLAZE UP. I KEPT GOING ABOUT A HALF A MILE SO I COULD PULL INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. BY THIS TIME, THE SMOKE WAS REALLY COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MEN INSIDE THE STORE CAME TO MY RESCUE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY RAISED THE HOOD AND SAE THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD STOPPED WORKING. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE COMPRESSOR AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE VALVES, GEARS,ETC HAD BURNED UP JUST IN THAT SHORT TIME. ONE MAN UNHOOKED IT SO I COULD USE MY HEATER SINCE IT WAS DECEMBER. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, OUR WEATHER HAD BEEN VERY WARM FOR WINTER. I COINTUED TO DRIVE IT OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK. I TOOK IT TOOK A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD THE WRONG TYPE OF FREON IN IT. MY CAR HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE AC UNTIL THAT DAY WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. IT APPEARS THAT AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT AC PROBLEMS AND FREON. A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES SHOULDN'T HAVE AC PROBLEMS AND IF SO, THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE SO BAD. MY CAR WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE IF I HAD NOT STOPPED AND GOT HELP. LITTLE DID I KNOW IT WAS THE AC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO MINE. OF COURSE, THIS KIND OF PROBLEM PROBADLY HASN'T OCCURED IN MANY OF THE CAR,ESP. WITH LOW MILES. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER, MY CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED KEPT, SERVICED,, WELL KEPT,ETC. ANY HELP OR DIRECTION YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. LYNN K. OUZTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
718185
Incident
Dec 10, 1999
Airbags
Filed Jan 20, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS HIT ALMOST HEAD ON PART OF THE IMPACT AREA WAS RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR BRUISES ON THE SHOULDER AND CHEST FROM SEATBELT. *AK

NHTSA ID
717642
Incident
Jan 20, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 30, 1999

ENGINE STALLS WITH NO WARNING, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENEDTHREE TIMES. VEHICLE HAS TO SIT FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO START AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
853485

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.

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