1989 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 53,272miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and seat belts (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,272 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes9 32%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Seat belts4 14%
- Body and structure3 11%
- Suspension3 11%
- Vehicle speed control2 7.1%
- Engine1 3.6%
- Engine cooling1 3.6%
- Exterior lighting1 3.6%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #722342, filed 2000-05Electrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568851, filed 2014-03, 50,000 milesSeat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #728434, filed 2000-08Body and structure: “Was going around a corner at 45mph when subframe separated. Driver heard a loud noise. Managed to pull over. Steering wheel was very difficult. Had vehicle towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #876177, filed 2000-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 56,544 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Pontiac Bonneville version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 26 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V143000Aug 29, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1989, Oldsmobile 88 1989, Buick Lesabre 1989
Fuel rollover valve assembly may not have been installed.
Recall details for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville.
Other model years of the Pontiac Bonneville
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27 | 119,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 42,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 54 | 76,514 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 89 | 50,176 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 129 | 67,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 214 | 61,116 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 143 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 277 | 71,725 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 147 | 98,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 150 | 115,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 244 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 88 | 127,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 138 | 126,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 113 | 170,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 22 | 114,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | 140,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | 53,272 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 19 | — | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
All Pontiac Bonneville model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville (Bonneville, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,272 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 56,544 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.