Complaints
359
Crashes
12
Fires
40
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#152 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:73,751 mi
Fires:20
#247 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:70,859 mi
Fires:3
#345 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:67,571 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 52 | — | 20 | 73,751 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 47 | — | 3 | 70,859 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 45 | — | — | 67,571 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 34 | — | 2 | 72,517 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 25 | 1 | 1 | 66,742 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 16 | 1 | 3 | 63,722 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 11 | — | 2 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | 1 | — | 64,257 mi | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 6 | — | 1 | 61,513 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 | — | 1 | 48,256 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | 2 | 54,376 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | 54,723 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
52
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
20
Avg Miles
73,751
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
47
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
70,859
Engine & Cooling
45
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,571
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
72,517
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,742
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
63,722
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,257
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,513
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
48,256
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
54,376
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,723
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Bonneville Years
1998 Pontiac Bonneville — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1998 Pontiac Bonneville has 359 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 52 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (52 complaints, avg 73,751 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (47 complaints, avg 70,859 mi); Engine & Cooling (45 complaints, avg 67,571 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 68,474 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville include 12 crash-related reports, 40 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1998 Pontiac Bonneville shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Bonneville reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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