1997 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 147 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving an suddenly vehicle shuts down, speed makes no difference.starts back with no problem. This is a regular problem, also happens when idling...makes for a very hazardous situation. Has happened on the freeway surface streets, turning, accelerating, even when braking.there have been times when it wouldn't start and no documentation or invoices available at this time. We have to tug on ignition wires. Possible reason-ignition switch under the steering wheel section is bad. This vehicle has a console, plan on getting new ignition switch.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 pontiac bonneville. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The mechanic replaced the battery and check oil sensors. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2012
“I had a 1997 pontiac bonneville. While I was driving down a highway in michigan, the engine compartment suddenly caught on fire. I was not speeding, and my car was perfectly serviced and maintained. By the time the fire service got there, the whole car burnt down. It took less than 20 minutes for the whole car to get burnt beyond recognition. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle has plastic intake parts, which include the upper and lower intake manifold. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine tune-up, she noticed antifreeze on the intake manifold. The vehicle made a loud booming noise similar to a backfire when the engine was started. The contact could smell fuel in the passenger compartment after placing fuel into the vehicle. There were no recalls for the failures described on this year, make, and model vehicle. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 134,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 evenflo infant carrier, model number 25800402 (na). The seat was manufactured in may of 2006. The contact followed the directions on installing the child seat in her 1997 pontiac bonneville. While making a left turn at approximately 20 mph, the child seat fell over with the child strapped in the seat. The child sustained minor bruising. The manufacturer was notified , but the contact was unable to speak with someone. The failure type was unavailable.”Owner report · Child Seat · Apr 2008
“I was driving and my air bag light came on. The light stayed on for awhile then out of no where my air bag deployed and filled my whole car with smoke and powder. I did not hit anything prior to the air bag exploding nor after. I suffer from cuts and burns on my right arm and stomach. I have not done anything to fix the problem because I am not sure what caused it. I have not drove the car since then because I cannot disconnect the passenger air bag and the car will not start without the fuse. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac bonneville. The vehicle was leaking radiator fluid. The dealer repaired the leak. A year after the repair, the fan connected to the heater and air conditioner stopped working. There was a popping noise intermittently under the hood near the defrost and suddenly, the front window cracked. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure; however, a manufacturers defect does exist. The heater fan also failed to operate intermittently. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 11/10/09 *bf updated 11/13/09.*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac bonneville. While driving at 55 mph the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle sped into full throttle. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into reverse in order to stop the vehicle. The failure contained no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and when the mechanic started the vehicle, it was still at full throttle. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The current and failure mileage was 110,000. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the hydraulic brake lines were corroded at every connection. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the brake fluid was leaking due to the corrosion. The dealership informed the contact there were 10-15 other vehicles with the same problem. Updated 9/5/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2006
“Heard a "popping" noise, then lost power steering when turning left. Right turns work fine, but no power steering to the left. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THE SEAT COVER TRIM MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 302, "FLAMMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COVERS ON THE FRONT SEAT BACKS, REAR SEAT CUSHION AND REAR SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES.
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.
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.
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 1997 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 147 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats. 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.