1992 Pontiac BONNEVILLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 67 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 40.3% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 6; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 58 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 | 34 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 34; 1996: 9; 2000: 6; 2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10006332 · 2000-05-26 (May 26, 2000)
CAR IS CUTTING OFF, EVERYTHING CUTS OFF, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK WHEN CAR SHUTS OFF. *AK *JB *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******723212.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032859 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES ON AND OFF WHENEVER A/C IS ON.VERY DIM LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062463 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
LOSS OF FUEL ON RIGHT HAND TURN, CHRONIC WHEN FUEL IS AROUND 1/3 LEVEL, CAUSED BY INCORRECT FUEL STRAINER POSITION. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS WIDESPREAD AMONG 92 GM H-BODY OWNERS. SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY. LOSS OF POWER CAN CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HIT MERGING CAR. THE DATE LISTED IS MY PERSONAL FIRST EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED BEFORE IN OTHER 92 GM H-BODY CARS, MY MOTHER'S AND MY BROTHER'S. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066190 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY CLEARCOAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF LIKE A BAD SUNBURN. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE. IT'S HAPPENING ON THE ENTIRE HOOD AND ON BOTH FRONT FENDERS. I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE REST OF THE CAR LOOKS BRAND NEW. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY CAR. I WAS JUST TOLD RECENTLY THAT I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE AGE OF THE CAR , THE COATING SHOULD NOT BE COMING OFF LIKE THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162716 · 2006-07-18 (July 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COIL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SIX TIMES. EACH TIME THE PARTS FAIL WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF BEING INSTALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190058 · 2007-04-30 (April 30, 2007)
1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW OFF. *MC ACCORDING TO THE POLICE OFFICERS EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, IT SHOWED 1 STUD REMAINING WITH THE OTHER 4 SHEARED OFF AT THE ROTOR. THE THREADS ON THE REMAINING STUD APPEARED TO BE INTACT INDICATING THE LUG NUT BACKED OFF OR WAS MISSING. THE THREADS SHOWED NO DAMAGE TO INDICATE THE WHEEL HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB A VEHICLE QUESTIONAIRE WAS MAILED TO CUSTOMER TO OBTAIN ADDI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10190058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232402 · 2008-06-26 (June 26, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232583 · 2008-06-28 (June 28, 2008)
BELT SEPARATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232583 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V131000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1991-08-05 (August 5, 1991)
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET, CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE, AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence: THE DISENGAGED CABLE COULD FALSELY INDICATE TRANSMISSIONGEAR POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE LEFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN THE DRIVERMOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PARK OR THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. A VEHICLE LEFT ON ANINCLINE WITHOUT PARKING BRAKES WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS PLACED IN PARK COULDMOVE. EITHER CASE RESULTS IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET ON TOP OF TRANSAXLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V167000 · Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical
Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991)
WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V015000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Reported: 1996-01-23 (January 23, 1996)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗