1997 Pontiac Bonneville: brake failure

5 of the 147 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville describe brake failure.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Brake failure by model year

2003
1
2002
2
2001
1
1999
4
1998
3
1997
5
1996
3
1995
8
1994
4
1993
10
1992
14
1991
1
1990
5

What owners say

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 118,515 miles · MI

The car lost all power while driving on several occasions. It would just quit and I would have no brakes or steering and all gauges would shut down. Sometimes it would lose power and then it would come back on while I was still driving cutting in and out repeatedly. It happened a lot when I was idling at a corner and then would start through the intersection. It would quit going through the intersection. Sometimes it wouldn't start after driving it a short distance. After it sat for a few minutes, a few hours or sometimes overnight it would just start like there wasn't any problem with it. It didn't sputter or act like it wasn't getting gas or anything, it just wouldn't do anything and had a total loss of all power. We took it in for repair several times and they could never replicate the problem and diagnostics didn't show any problems that would cause this issue. I asked a couple of times if there were any recalls and the service garage said no. I finally quit driving the car because I was tired of being stranded and with taking my chances with it loosing power driving down the highway or through intersections in heavy traffic. It sounds like the same issue that they are currently recalling some gm models for because of an ignition switch spring but bonneville aren't on the recall list.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WI · fire

Car completely shuts down while decelerating at anywhere from 30-55 MPH. Sometimes can restart, sometimes not for a half hour or so. The car's engine coolant has leaked out onto engine. Car shut down, no power, no steering, no brakes, then the coolant spilled out everywhere, engine started smoking and now the engine has stopped working even after replacing head gasket. Car had been into dealers numerous times to no avail. No one could identify the problem. Now have a car that had to be towed and is no longer functioning. Numerous fuel injectors were replaced in hopes of stopping the stalling out and shutdowns, but nothing has worked. Waiting for a couple of quotes on what it will take to try and fix the engine or most likely need replaced. This has been happening since the car was fairly new.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 39,000 miles · SC

Consumer stated while driving vehicle at 25 MPH suddenly all electrical components died. No brakes/ no power steering. Took vehicle to dealer, dealer popped hood, and noticed battery acid all over the engine compartment, and battery cables were loose. Dealer replaced cables, and put jelly around them. Five days later, cables were loose again. Cause unknown. The cable has loosen again and vehicle stalled and lost all power. Consumer was left stranded.

Filed Nov 17, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · MA · fire

I was driving home from when work when my car caught on fire. My brakes stopped working and I was unable to stop the car. The car was engulfed in flames in the matter of a few minutes.

Filed Feb 15, 2000 · Brakes · SD

The problem started with a thumping sound coming from the front/brake area of the vehicle. After attempting to pull out of the shopping center I realized my brakes were gone. My husband was able to get it to rapid motors the next day and we were told that the master cylinder would have to be replaced. Just over 1 year later the same problems started again and again the brakes went out and we were told again a new master cylinder would need replacing. Each replacement has cost us a little over $300.00. I understand it may be time to replace brake pads but I don't that is the only problem with the master cylinder not being able to last more than 1 year. The invoice for repair of the last master cylinder states: "found brake pedal goes to floor, checked for leaks, non found, checked vacuum - ok. Master cylinder leaking internal. Removed master cylinder and installed new one. Bled brakes sytem, test drove, working to factory specs." to summarize, the original master cylinder and a second master cylinder have been replace within the 2 1/2 years that I have owned this vehicle. Please let me know if you need additional information.