1989 Pontiac BONNEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
53,272 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 16 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 31.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001144 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE APPLYING HIS BRAKES THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES WHEN HE APPLY HIS BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065066 · 2004-03-29 (March 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS BUSTED OUT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,544 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241752 · 2008-09-10 (September 10, 2008)
I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CLOSING MY DOORS. NOW 3 OF MY 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR BY PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I AM NOW HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A 1988 BONNEVILLE, THAT DID THE EXACT THING. I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME TRYING TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDIT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10241752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568851 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND SCARED TO DEATH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, WAITED AND RESTARTED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FRASIER PONTIAC IN AMESBURY MASS), AND THEY COULD NOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM; THEY FOUND NOTHING. WHEN IT HAPPENED A SECON…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722342 · 2000-05-06 (May 6, 2000)
BEFORE THE DOORS JAMMED/THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BEGAN TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES - NOT ONE OF THE DOORS JAMMED, BUT ALL FOUR- ALSO THE ABS HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR- I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT EACH OF MY DOORS, AND THE UNHEARD OF PRICES THE DEALER WAS CHARGING, BEFORE FINALLY SAYING THEY CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS AT ALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728434 · 2000-08-19 (August 19, 2000)
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747971 · 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)
I HAVE HAD TWO BONNEVILLES' AN 1988' AND A 1989' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR BRAKE TROUBLES WITH BOTH VEHICLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747973 · 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON THIS CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE FIXED. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/65/15)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747973 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V143000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 1988-08-29 (August 29, 1988)
FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE BECOMES INVERTEDMISSING VALVE COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗