1991 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles, 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 114,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Brakes6 27%
- Engine cooling3 14%
- Electrical system2 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.1%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Fuel system1 4.5%
- Interior lighting1 4.5%
- Seat belts1 4.5%
Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Consumer stated that after market master cylinder had to be replaced on three occasions because the plunger pin kept breaking. This caused brake pedal to go to the floor when brakes were applied. Unable to get in contact with the manufacturer, fenco / fenwick automotive products. Consumer had the master cylinder replaced four times and they have all failed. The first failed 79 days after installation. The second one failed immediately while being bleed. The third on failed with less than 1 mile and the fourth one failed 150 miles later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041965, filed 2003-09Engine cooling: “The contact stated while driving 30 MPH on the highway, the rod bearing fractured along the engine without warning. This caused oil to leak onto the hot catalytic converter causing a fire to erupt within the engine compartment and spread through the air conditioning blower motor and into the cab of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle without injuries. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled due to the extensive fire damage. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. The dealer was alerted. Updated 10/17/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10165522, filed 2006-08, 38,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 1991 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving approximately 45 MPH in cold weather conditions, the transmission oil cooler line separated and caused transmission fluid to leak excessively. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 96v015000 (power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 190,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10250651, filed 2008-12, 190,000 milesElectrical system: “I have changed the dash and had all wiring checked and everything is fine except that I have no dash lights could someone please tell me what the problem could be.”
NHTSA complaint #757637, filed 2002-02Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 190,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville · coupe | not rated | – / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
- 91V198000Nov 14, 1991Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1991, Oldsmobile 98 1991
The console mounted shift lever may disengage from the shift control cable bracket causing loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Recall details for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Pontiac Bonneville have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Pontiac Bonneville get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville (Bonneville, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 114,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 190,000 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.