Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 19% | 137,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 7% | 43,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 28% | 90,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 16% | 92,000 miles |
| 2001 | 31 | 24% | 100,000 miles |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% | 69,000 miles |
| 1999 | 60 | 42% | 65,000 miles |
| 1998 | 200 | 72% | 70,000 miles |
| 1997 | 51 | 35% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 44 | 29% | 105,000 miles |
| 1995 | 56 | 23% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the engine started to lose power. When the vehicle stalled it would not restart and smoke started was coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure due to the sensors melting. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was 63,635.
"Takata recall" unusual engine noise car won't brake fumes coming inside the car. Car shaking and vibrating low oil pressure even when I got a oil change. After oil change car wouldn't go no more than 16 miles per hour. Car will not crank if it's 47 degrees or lower temperature. In motion in city street and highway
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, smoke emerged from underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (wheelers Chevrolet of medford, 704 n 8th st, medford, wi 54461) and was referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 113,600.
Look at the car the car is located [redacted] first of all you start off as a passcode 2 system and then it says passcode 3 system on the thing and I just don't want to deal with this because you have the cut off switch you have the fuel cut off switch but you still have current going through the switch or the fuel they fuel I'll probably leaking into the tank it doesn't start but still sending fuel the oil has excessive amount of liquid in it so does transmission I bought it used the guy goes you know I lost the key go in and remove it I started without the key you know or something like that and I said well here's I got the chamber and I will get it anyway I don't want to deal with this take your car around it took that he sold a mindful but it took the Kelly converter around he didn't tell me about it he asked who did it well he was the city I guess a city bought this car now they're …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to smoke under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gaskets and valve cover failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Car will re-start on its own after key is removed. After parking and shutting off the car, then removing the key and opening the driver's door to exit: if you accidentally press the upper part of the lock button on the door (the unlock function) instead of pressing the lower part of the lock button (the lock function), the car will re-start itself. It then cannot be turned off because the ignition switch is already in the off position. The only way to shut off the engine is to jiggle the shifter.
I had left my lights on and battery went dead. Went to jump the vehicle and charge the battery. Cables connected correctly. When I went to start the vehicle, I heard a loud explosion noise like a back fire but saw a flame then smoke out of engine. The engine hood was closed since the battery is located under the back seat or this could have been fatal or a serious injury. The flame must have been extinguished by the fluids? When we opened the hood after a short period, we found that their was some type of explosion in the engine. The vehicle was stationary and in my driveway
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire and exploded when the ignition key was inserted. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated March 12, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA recall number 08v-118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 Buick regal gs and Pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of GM's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from August 1996…
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (200), 1999 (60), 1995 (56), 1997 (51) and 1996 (44) model years. Engine complaints make up 72% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Bonneville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Pontiac Bonneville model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Bonneville engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (127 mentions), followed by the engine (96).
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.