1981 Pontiac Bonneville

○ Not enough data
1981 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:51:13.787Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
1

Too few to rank

Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1992 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1998 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1981: 1 complaint

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19830
19841
19851
19863
198719
198817
198928
199039
199122
1992116
1993138
199489
1995244
1996150
1997147
1998277
1999143
2000214
2001129
200289
200354
200428
200527

Known problem areas

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Equipment

1 of 1 total report mentions: equipment, most commonly citing electrical.

Show complaint excerpts

When driving the check engine light comes on and car stalls , sometimes when starting car the RPM race, took to dealer, couldn't find the problem, replaced the EGR valve and tps sensor, still having the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-13

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Engine and engine cooling

1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gas recirculation valve (egr valve).

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Equipment: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 1 report on file for this year.

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1981 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Pontiac Bonneville?
The most-reported component is equipment, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Pontiac Bonneville have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.