1997 Pontiac Bonneville problems
The 1997 Pontiac Bonneville has 188 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns engine. After that come electrical system (16%) and transmission (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 188 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 25
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 99,000 miles 42 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 11 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 42 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 99,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 104,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 25 complaints mention a fire; 10 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Bonneville with enough data (112 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer's vehicle was rearended by another vehicle that was traveling about 45 MPH . At impact, driver's and passenger's seatbacks fell back, causing injuires. Vehicle was a total loss.
While driving at 70 m.p.h. On an interstate highway, cruise control was disengaged using brake pedal followed by total electrical failure. Light rain was present and car began to spin moving to the side of the road uncontrolled, rolled at least once and flipped end over end. Driver was 7 mos. Pregnant.this same type failure was experienced twice before, taken to the dealer and cause or duplication never was discovered until the incident. Previous occurence was o/a 10/98
While drivng vehicle filled up with smoke and a fire started in the dash behind the radio. Mechanic stated that there was a loose wire in the dash. Car was towed to a body shop. Still not fixed.
Consumer stated while driving vehicle at 25 MPH suddenly all electrical components died. No brakes/ no power steering. Took vehicle to dealer, dealer popped hood, and noticed battery acid all over the engine compartment, and battery cables were loose. Dealer replaced cables, and put jelly around them. Five days later, cables were loose again. Cause unknown. The cable has loosen again and vehicle stalled and lost all power. Consumer was left stranded.
While driving at highway speeds vehicle stalled due to a cracked intake manifold gasket. The intake manifold gasket was replaced. The cracked gasket allowed water to leak into the cylinder's.