Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
' Takata recall" driving and the car cut off..after I stop the car and turn the key off. Was able to re start the car. This has happen a few times. This is not a safe thing when driving on the free ways ....I was in motion and on the street. There was a recall on this but was not were of it this was in 2009 now it 2016 and the part in my car is not working?
Upon accelerating onto the highway, after reaching highway speed, vehicle stalls and would not start. Flooding engine, gasoline coming out of exhaust, engine would not restart. After research and replacing leaking lower intake manifold, this was not my problem there was no leak. After more research I replaced more sensors and eventually cylinder gaskets and lower intake gasket again. Still engine would not start. After 2 years of car sitting I unplugged maf sensor and then it started finally. Faulty maf sensor but no way to find out unless it is unplugged because sensor did not give off any pertaining fault code pointing to the problem specifically.
Brakes do not work correctly. Consumer has to stop at a good distant to come to a complete stop. Also, drums have been checked. Last month dealer replaced brake cylinder. Brake problems have caused an accident. Brakes failed frequently since the purchase of the vehicle. The rim cracked during the accident. The alternator and rear wheel cylinder failed. Oil pan gasket failed causing oil leak. A/C failed four times.
Car stalled while driving home at night. No electrical power what so ever including emergency flashers. Nearly had an accident and had no way of indicating to other vehicles that I had a problem. No lights, no power steering, no brakes, no brake lights, no emergency flashers. After slowing down to appx. 25 MPH, power came back on. I shifted to neutral and was able to start the car and drive it home.
Consumer went to start vehicle ,and as soon as vehicle started , it backfired, and made loud sound. Then, engine caught on fire, causing smoke damage. Shattered windshield/burned front end, and almost melted tires. Vehicle was a total loss. Also , there was a hole between accelerator pedal and brake pedal.
Dt: the contact stated while driving at any speed MPH on normal road conditions the engine stalled, no warning lights iluminate in the dash board. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined no problems in the engine or electrical systems. The contact continues to deal with the stalling engine.
I purchased a 1999 Pontiac Bonneville from manamara Pontiac in orlando fl., used our 3 ed one. My wife was driving it to her grands and it started shaking and lunged then quit all of a sudden. The car gave no warning and after a bit it cranked but ran rough. I towed it home and changed the ignition coils, spark plugs and a few other things and it never would run. So I took it to starling Pontiac and they said that the plenum that was on the car was bad in fact it had a defect. The service manager told me (roy) that they have had problems with them. GM called me and said they were closing my case from the bbb because it wasn't a new car from the dealer. I explained that I sent it to you them and others to get it noted. This is a saftey hazzard if it happens on the interstate or in heavey down town traffic. …
Rf door would not open due to fender interfering with door jamb. At the same time, the engine tended to stall and sputter. Car stalled on railroad tracks and passenger was unable to open door. Car was restarted and no accident occured, however, this couls have been a serious problem. Generator was replaced, but hesitation in engine performance persists. Dealer has had car 44 days during past three months. Sun roof replaced. Door / fender problems repaired twoce. Fenders removed so that insulation (sound, heat) could be properly installed. Headliner in interior was incorrect size and was replaced. Dealer states it cannot ascertain problem with engine but acknowledges problem.
I believe the horn "button" on these cars is a safety hazard. The manual states that you can press anywhere on the steering wheel pad to blow the horn. This is not true. It can only be blown at the two top corners of the pad, and it takes an excessive amount of force to sound. For some reason, the left side is harder than the right side. I checked this on another car (of the same make and model) on the dealer's lot, and it was the same. In an emergency requiring the horn to be sounded, it more than likely would never be sounded; especially by a woman or older, weaker person. Some sort of revision is needed here.
While driving at 50 engine completely shut off, leaving only dash board lights. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they said that mechanism in the brain shuts off car if going 95 MPH. Second time, dealer could not duplicate problem. Put a monitor on car which still did not duplicate the problem, on June 3, 2000, dealer found that crank sensor wa s defective, and that it would kill engine. They replaced it. Consumer had the same problem on 11 of nov 2000, same problem occurred again.
Electrical complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville, 15% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Bonneville electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Bonneville electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.