1990 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (41% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The ABS brake system has failed intermittently since the car was new. It was never fixed and was hard to duplicate. The brake pedal will be locked out under a panic stop but the ABS fails to kick in and the car is essentially brakeless. Others have undoubtedly died or suffered serious injury because when this occurs the car is a missle. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2000
“While on a two way street, brakes got hard and car would not stop. Consumer had to keep pumping on brakes until it started to slow down.*ak the ABS failed teice and the consumer feels unsafe to drive the vehcile. *yh”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2000
“A vehicle fire originated in alterator wiring harness after pulling into driveway. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified. State farm insurance asked consumer to notify NHTSA. *ak *ml”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“When attempting to buckle the left hand side of the seat belt it won't latch. There is no catching and the button has collapsed. Dealer was not contacted. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 1999
“Brake pedal suddenly is very hard to push and will barely stop car. Seat belt do not tighten to hold you from being thrown, they are very loose.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1998
“Brake pedal became frozen, would not move or go down in position to brake, causing a loss of brakes, resulting in an accident. Dealer cannot determine defect. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1998
“Firestone lemans tire p215 65 r15 experienced blow out, causing vehicle to roll over several times and injuring 2 consumers. (attorney steven budaj for client). *slc”Owner report · Tires · Nov 1998
“For the last five years had to have an alternator installed in the vehicle two times a year. The dealer has not been able to duplicate or find the cause of the problem. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 1998
“Bolts that hold cushioned seat assembly detached from aluminum mounting rails, causing driver to be thrown into back seat.”Owner report · Seats · Jun 1997
“Shifted from park to drive, engine accelerated, vehicle lurched forward, accelerator went to floor, no warning, vehicle hit tree; note : reported by all state ins. Co. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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).
How other years compare
Check your exact Bonneville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 140,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.