1998 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 277 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (67% of complaints); the 1996 and 1997 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
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 277 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The back two cradle mounts on both sides rusted out and mounts pulled through the cradle causing the steering to become loose filling and causing steering to be out of alignment and when hit brakes front would dart one way or the other and lots of noise coming from under vehicle from cradle bouncing when hitting bumps tried the find one in junk yards and all are that way. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2015
“My car has been stolen from sioux falls residents home july 10 th but have a police report [xxx] been spotted in mitchell off interstate 90 first parking lot right after exit 90 into mitchell tanish color trunk has bunngie cord on trunk silver small spot on passenger side pontiac 1998. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2014
“On multiple occasions I have pulled to a dead stop at a light and during the idling time the engine shuts off and it will not start again. Very embarrassing set of trips to nearby grocer. .. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering suddenly failed causing the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete road divider. The contact sustained a back injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000. Dr”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle overheated. The contact then attempted to park the vehicle however, the vehicle then stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the intake manifold was melted and the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“About a week prior to incident, I got a whiff of a burning smell, 2 days in a row, short quick scent. Next 4 days, smelled nothing (even drove car 80 miles one way and back). Day of incident, I was traveling about 10 mph when white smoke came from the heater vent. I increased speed to about 30 mph to get to a safe spot, and black smoke billowed out of heat vent on top of dashboard, and front of dashboard. Turned corner to get out of traffic, came to a stop and flames shot out of cigarette lighter, and air vent in front of dash. Heater was off, radio was off, and cigarette lighter was not being used. Car fully engulfed in approximately 2-3 minutes. Car totaled. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013
“The air intake gasket has failed for 2 reasons. 1 factory tightly put the bolts on to tight. 2 plastic gasket and plastic manifold parts do not meet government safety standards for, failure avoidance, because of materials used to connect the plastic to mettle creating a dangerous situation. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2011
“98 pontiac 86,000 miles intake manifold failed for the second time... Parts replaced...spark plugs (fouled)..starter assembly.. Motor was waterlocked broke starter...intake manifold gasket replaced.....oil changed due to coolant contamination...replace antifreeze...total bill labor and parts... $1387.99..gm has numerous service bulletins on this issue...why has a recall not be issued for this problem ?? *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2011
“My upper intake manifold leaks engine coolant into the combustion chambers and into the crankcase. The egr tube melts the upper plastic manifold I have had the upper and lower intake replaced for this issue once before with gm parts and it happening again. If it not fixed the coolant can contaminate my oil and lock up my engine when traveling down the road and possibly cause me to crash. If the engine locks up I will lose power steering and braking ability. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the rear brake line, from left to right, failed in the rear passenger side wheel and leaked brake fluid. Subsequently, the failure caused brake failure. While driving 15 mph, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The sales dealer advised the contact to consult the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that if he only had 100,000 miles on the vehicle, they would have replaced the brake line. The current mileage was 111,526 and failure mileage was 111,520. Updated 10/14/08. *lj the consumer stated the brake lines were rusted and pitted. Updated 10/16/08. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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 1998 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 277 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (67% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,863 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. 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.