1997 Pontiac Bonneville: sudden loss of power

7 of the 147 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2005
3
2003
3
2001
1
1999
9
1998
6
1997
7
1996
4
1995
2
1994
1
1993
1
1992
3

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 Aug 12, 2006 · Steering · 126,000 miles · NE

Heard a "popping" noise, then lost power steering when turning left. Right turns work fine, but no power steering to the left.

Filed Aug 5, 2004 · Steering · 100,000 miles · PA

While making a left hand turn vehicle lost power steering. Consumer had to use force to turn steering wheel. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the consumer notified the manufacturer who stated that there was no recall on the vehicle but there were recalls on other models with the same rack and pinion. The consumer was told that his vehicle was not produced at the plant of the recalled cars.

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 Dec 3, 2001 · Electrical · AL

This appears to be a common problem with this make/model or similarly configured battery cable system. The post breaks off inside the battery as a result of vibrations and the weight of the cable. The consumer must buy a new battery as a result. Furthermore, the battery bolt freezes inside the cable requiring it to be cut out due to the excessive heat generated aththe connection. This is a common problem with this vehicle according to the technician I spoke with at bentley pontiac at the time I took it in. I had to have the vehicle towed to get it repaired. When I picked my vehicle up, I noticed another bonneville getting it's battery replaced for the exact same problem - the positive terminal post had broken off and the bolt was frozen to the positive cable connection. I believe there should be a fix to this problem and that gm should reimburse owner's for any cost associated with this design flaw. It presents a danger to vehicles driving down the highway because it could potentially result in sudden power loss and could be catastrophic. I was lucky my incident occurred in my garage. I shoulod have reported this earlier. However, while cleaning up my computer files, I recalled that I had not reported this incident. I have owned a number of vehicles for many years and have never heard of this type problem with the battery/battey cable on any of them. Have other such incidents been reported or does gm have knowledge of this problem from maintenance actions at their dealers?

Filed Sep 6, 2000 · Engine · AZ

Twice while driving at approximately 50mph car lost all power for a second or so and then came right back on. During this second or so, I have no power brakes, steering, nothing. This is definitely a safety hazard, if it happens at the wrong time, it could cause a serious accident. One time before I remember at least a month ago, the radio just cut out for a couple of seconds for no reason, and the day after the first time my car lost power, the ABS light came on for a couple of seconds and then went out. I don't know if these are related, but something is wrong, I don't know if it's the engine, electrical or computer.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Vehicle will stall while in motion unexpectedly and without warning, causing loss of power steering. Consumer had taken vehicle to dealer between 4-6 times, but defect keeps occurring. Finally dealr replaced fuel pressure regulator and defect did stop, but only for 2 years. Currently, defect has reappeared.*ak fuel pressure regulator was replaced twice in three years.