MYRModel Year Report

1998 Pontiac Bonneville

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Pontiac Bonneville
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Bonneville Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 1 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1998 1999: 143 complaints 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1998: 277 complaints
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

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 72%

72% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 199 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *SCC *NLM REFERENCED IN EA02-030

NHTSA ODI report, 20030321

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030122

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12%

12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery and carburetor system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 20130312

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB *TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20030416

TURNED IGNITION ON AND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, AND THEN A FIRE BROKE OUT IN VEHICLE SITTING THERE FOR 8 DAYS BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY OFFERED TO REPURCHASE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010413

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 277
I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

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 T

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.

Campaign 04V090000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (199 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

◆ 1995 ◆ 2000 ● 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.