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1992 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 113 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (38% of complaints); the 1990 and 1991 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1996

3
recalls
113
owner complaints
5
fire reports
170,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 170,000 mi)Weak spot: service brakes, hydraulic (38%)5 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)38% · 43 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)13% · 15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 9 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)7% · 8 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 6 complaints
Seat Belts4% · 5 complaints
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 boosterOwner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2016
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.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2010
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.Owner report · Steering · Jun 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
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) *trOwner report · Wheels · Feb 2007
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. *akOwner report · Electrical System · Jul 2006
While traveling on the highway without prior warning there was smoke and flames coming from the dashboard. The dealership is aware of the problem. NlmOwner report · Electrical System · Oct 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. *slcOwner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2002
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.*akOwner report · Wheels · Feb 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. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2000
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.Owner report · Structure · Aug 2000

When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL91V167000 · Sep 1991

WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.

Remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES96V015000 · Jan 1996

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION91V131000 · Aug 1991

TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET, CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE, AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.

Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET ON TOP OF TRANSAXLE.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

NHTSA has 113 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (38% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1992 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 170,000 miles or less.

Does the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional:mechanical. 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.