Engine compartment fire approximately 30 mins after shutdown. Incident 2015-00001363
The worst 1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine200
- Fuel system36
- Electrical28
- Transmission13
- Acceleration8
- Visibility8
- Brakes7
- Steering7
- Airbags4
- Body4
- Lights4
- Suspension2
- Locks1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Stalling 37Engine failure 30Overheating 25Fire or smoke 18Check engine light 17Won't start 13Power steering loss 9Knocking 6Loss of power 6Fuel leak 5Headlights 5Hesitation 5
Recalls 1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
- Risk
- The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V090000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
Engine compartment fires
PE02050
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville 51
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1998 Pontiac Bonneville fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 25-26 | 19-20 |
What 1998 Pontiac Bonneville owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The back two cradle mounts on both sides rusted out and mounts pulled through the cradle causing the steering to become loose filling and causing steering to be out of alignment and when hit brakes front would dart one way or the other and lots of noise coming from under vehicle from cradle bouncing when hitting bumps tried the find one in junk yards and all are that way.
My car has been stolen from sioux falls residents home july 10 th but have a police report [xxx] been spotted in mitchell off interstate 90 first parking lot right after exit 90 into mitchell tanish color trunk has bunngie cord on trunk silver small spot on passenger side pontiac 1998. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I was driving on the new york thruway and all of a sudden, my car shut off. I had to power steer, no power brakes, the fuel gauge read no fuel and the bells went off. I had to try to get to a safe place and restart my car. This has happened many more times. I can be going 25mph or 70mph; I can have the cruise on or off; I can have the heat or A/C on or off, it does not matter; in all cases, the engine shuts off when I am not expecting it.
On multiple occasions I have pulled to a dead stop at a light and during the idling time the engine shuts off and it will not start again. Very embarrassing set of trips to nearby grocer. ..
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering suddenly failed causing the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete road divider. The contact sustained a back injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000. Dr
As I was driving along the engine, power steering, and brakes failed. I had to restart the car and hopefully resume driving so the car coming behind me did not crash into me. This has happened numerous times since including times while on I-95, I-81, rural mountainous roads (which resulted in my car rolling backwards), and city traffic. I have taken it in numerous times to my mechanic and he has not come up with a reason as to why this is happening. I am given no warning by my car that this is about to happen. The warning bell chimes and the car fails at the same time. This happened last evening and the car behind me had to swerve to avoid a crash. Please add my car to your recall or give me some kind of answer to take to my mechanic.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 53,506.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact then attempted to park the vehicle however, the vehicle then stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the intake manifold was melted and the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000.
About a week prior to incident, I got a whiff of a burning smell, 2 days in a row, short quick scent. Next 4 days, smelled nothing (even drove car 80 miles one way and back). Day of incident, I was traveling about 10 MPH when white smoke came from the heater vent. I increased speed to about 30 MPH to get to a safe spot, and black smoke billowed out of heat vent on top of dashboard, and front of dashboard. Turned corner to get out of traffic, came to a stop and flames shot out of cigarette lighter, and air vent in front of dash. Heater was off, radio was off, and cigarette lighter was not being used. Car fully engulfed in approximately 2-3 minutes. Car totaled.
Compare the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
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Questions about the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Is the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
Owners have filed 277 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville, 5.1 times a typical Bonneville model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?
Engine and cooling, with 200 complaints, typically around 70,741 miles. Next is fuel system (36).
How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have?
1 recall, covering fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Pontiac Bonneville have bad engine?
The Pontiac Bonneville model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (200 complaints), 1999 (60 complaints) and 1995 (56 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-26 highway.
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