RoadVitals

1999 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.
143
Latest Sep 5, 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.
4
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
4
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.
14
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 143 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 60 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

4 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

Feb 24, 2004
910,873 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03054BView on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Apr 26, 1999
99,333 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.
The risk: IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA07008ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Opened Jun 12, 2007
Closed May 1, 2008

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 08V118000
EA02030ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Oct 22, 2002
Closed Mar 9, 2004

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 VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYLed to recall 04V090000
PE02050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jun 13, 2002
Closed Oct 22, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RQ99007ClosedRecall Query

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE

Opened May 26, 1999
Closed Feb 8, 2002
POWER TRAINLed to recall 99V089000

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Sep 5, 2016

' TAKATA RECALL" DRIVING AND THE CAR CUT OFF..AFTER I STOP THE CAR AND TURN THE KEY OFF. WAS ABLE TO RE START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES. THIS IS NOT A SAFE THING WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREE WAYS ....I WAS IN MOTION AND ON THE STREET. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT WAS NOT WERE OF IT THIS WAS IN 2009 NOW IT 2016 AND THE PART IN MY CAR IS NOT WORKING?

NHTSA ID
10903615
Incident
Sep 3, 2016
Mileage
136,589 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 20, 2014

UPON ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, AFTER REACHING HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE STALLS AND WOULD NOT START. FLOODING ENGINE, GASOLINE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER RESEARCH AND REPLACING LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD, THIS WAS NOT MY PROBLEM THERE WAS NO LEAK. AFTER MORE RESEARCH I REPLACED MORE SENSORS AND EVENTUALLY CYLINDER GASKETS AND LOWER INTAKE GASKET AGAIN. STILL ENGINE WOULD NOT START. AFTER 2 YEARS OF CAR SITTING I UNPLUGGED MAF SENSOR AND THEN IT STARTED FINALLY. FAULTY MAF SENSOR BUT NO WAY TO FIND OUT UNLESS IT IS UNPLUGGED BECAUSE SENSOR DID NOT GIVE OFF ANY PERTAINING FAULT CODE POINTING TO THE PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604668
Incident
Jan 8, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 5, 2014

WHILE STOPPED ON A SIDE STREET (25 MPH ZONE), THE AIR BAGS INVOLUNTARILY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY BRUISED AND SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT & PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. THERE ARE 7 OTHER INCIDENT REPORTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA FOR THE SAME EVENT INVOLVING A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID
10586574
Incident
Apr 22, 2014
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Sep 1, 2013

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW THAT HER MOTHER DOES NOT BUCKLE HER AND HER SISTER UP. SHE ALSO ALLOWS THEM TO RIDE ON THE FRONT SEAT. MIND YOU THE TWO GIRLS ARE ONLY 4 AND 5 YEARS OF AGE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SOCIAL SERVICES ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS . ALSO THE MOTHER DRIVES WITHOUT A LICENSE AND NO INSURANCE. SHE LIVES IN MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN AND IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT KIDS THERE. ALSO THE SHE BOUGHT IT AT HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET IT BACK SINCE SHE HASN'T PAID ON THE NOTE SINCE APRIL. THE GRANDMOTHER HAS CALLED SOCIAL SERVICES ABOUT THIS AS WELL AND AGAIN WE FEEL NO ONE CARES. SHE HAS DONE THIS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY! *JS

NHTSA ID
10538269
Incident
Mar 7, 2013
Fuel systemExterior lightingOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Nov 24, 2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL FOR 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RECALL ANNOUNCED: APRIL 07 2009 NHTSA REFERENCE: #09E012000 NUMBER AFFECTED: 16,270 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY RECALL FOR 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RECALL ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 24 2004 NHTSA REFERENCE: #04V090000 NUMBER AFFECTED: 910,873 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL FOR 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RECALL ANNOUNCED: APRIL 26 1999 NHTSA REFERENCE: #99V089000 NUMBER AFFECTED: 99,333 WHEELS RECALL FOR 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RECALL ANNOUNCED: APRIL 12 1999 NHTSA REFERENCE: #99V072000 NUMBER AFFECTED: 352. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436930
Incident
Mar 16, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Nov 24, 2011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY RECALL FOR 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RECALL ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 24 2004 NHTSA REFERENCE: #04V090000 NUMBER AFFECTED: 910,873 SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE: 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. FIX: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA PAGE CONCERNING RECALL #04V090000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436929
Incident
Mar 16, 2007
Filed Jul 12, 2011

THE FUEL GAUGE OF THE VEHICLE GOES ALL WAY DOWN TO "E" THEN CAN SPIKE BACK UP TO "FULL" ESPECIALLY AFTER FILLING THE TANK COMPLETELY. THE GAUGE ALSO WILL RANDOMLY DROP AND STAY ON "E" WHEN THERE IS ABOUT 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT.

NHTSA ID
10412715
Incident
Jan 12, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 1, 2011
1 injury reported

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INVOLUNTARILY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED WATER WAS FOUND WITHIN ONE OF THE AIR BAG MODULES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF

NHTSA ID
10403963
Incident
May 14, 2011
Mileage
96,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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
1999Viewing1434462.0
19982772261.6
19971472259.3
19961503260.6
19952441044.4
1994880043.4
19931381151.5
19921133262.7
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.