MYRModel Year Report

1998 Pontiac Bonneville

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Pontiac Bonneville
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
277
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

72% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 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 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1998 277 1999: 143 complaints 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 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 1998: 277 complaints 1998 277 1999: 143 complaints 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 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 277 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

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% · 199 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-21

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the intake manifold. Also stated that while driving the vehicle the engine will overheat.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-22

Fuel system, gasoline

12% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing delivery and carburetor system.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

12% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2013-03-12

When the vehicle was started, it caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-04-13

Power train

5% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH

Vehicle speed control

3% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 277 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-06-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-22 Engine compartment fires
  3. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  4. R
    2004-06-30Fuel system, gasoline04V090000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 199 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V090000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.