1992 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
- Complaints
- 113filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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 1992 Pontiac Bonneville (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints about this model year center on the anti-lock brake system: owners describe pedals that sink to the floor, ABS warning lights that stay on, and pump or valve assemblies that stop working, often with several near-identical reports filed around the same period. A second, recurring theme is sudden engine stalling at speed with a loss of power brakes and steering, plus a smaller set of transmission, fuel-system and airbag concerns. Most reports come from vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, so much of what owners describe reflects an older car rather than a new one.
- Brakes
ABS failure, soft pedal to the floor, warning light stays on
- 22 complaints (19%)
- typically at 5.1 yrs old
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2001
Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor or the ABS system engaging unexpectedly, sometimes with no warning, and in several cases the car did not stop and struck another vehicle. Some report an ABS warning light that stayed on, a heavily corroded ABS pump assembly, or a failing valve in the system. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the master cylinder, pump motor or wheel sensor, and in some cases said the corroded pump was unrelated to the failure. Complaints span the 1990s into later years, with reported failure mileages ranging from around 41,000 up to 288,000 miles.
What to check: Ask whether the master cylinder or ABS pump has been replaced and have the ABS warning light checked; test the pedal for a firm feel and look for corrosion on the ABS pump assembly.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The ABS brakes went out. The car almost caused an accident. Tt first, the ABS light came on and remained on. The dealer examined the vehicle and found out that the ABS had failed. Also according to the dealer several vehicles of the same make had the same problem. The manufacturer should recall these vehicles and fix the problem, the consumer believes.”
NHTSA complaint #975537, filed 1995-11“While driving experienced intermittent ABS brake failure. When on ice brakes malfunction due to pump motor action to ABS rendering them inoperative. Also, experienced ABS light staying on continuously. Dealer indicated pump motor needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #808573, filed 1997-04 - Electrical system
Engine stalls at speed, losing power brakes and steering
- 11 complaints (10%)
- median 150,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2014
Owners report the engine shutting off without warning at any speed, which also takes away power brakes and power steering. Some say the car restarts after sitting a few minutes, others that it restarts immediately; a few mention voltage dropping and the battery going dead in hot weather. Dealers reportedly replaced the crankshaft position sensor, alternator and battery, and ignition parts, with mixed results. Reported across a wide mileage range, from vehicles with about 100,000 miles to ones over 200,000, and some owners link it to hot weather.
What to check: Ask about any history of stalling and whether the crankshaft position sensor, ignition coil or alternator has been replaced; have the charging system and battery checked.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Voltage falls and motor quits in heat. Battery is dead. Replacing alt & batt does not help. Voltage gets lower as heat builds until battery dies. Engine falters and quits. Has happened 8 times since the warranty expired (didn't happen before). Ssei does not have a voltmeter and we have not seen the battery light come on in any of the events (thought it is weak and hard to see so we can't be sure). Dealer knows nothing. We have not found a service bulletin on the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #729216, filed 2000-08“Engine stalls with no warning, causing a loss of power brakes and power steering. This has happenedthree times. Vehicle has to sit for a while in order to start again. Dealer replaced the crankshaft position sensor. Problem resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #853485, filed 1999-11 - Brakes
Rear brake springs break and wheel locks up
- 11 complaints (10%)
- typically at 4.1 yrs old
- filed 1995–2000
Complaints describe a popping or grinding noise from the rear brakes followed by a wheel locking, traced to a broken self-adjusting spring inside the rear drum that wedged against the lining. Owners say the drum and brake hardware had to be replaced, and one reported the whole brake system being replaced after the adjuster tore up the brakes. In one case the dealer declined to cover the repair. Reports cluster in the mid-1990s, with one repair noted at around 41,000 miles.
What to check: Have the rear drums pulled and the springs and self-adjuster hardware inspected, and listen for popping or grinding from the rear wheels when braking.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I heard a popping sound twice with in one mile of each other as I was approaching stop lights. Then heard a grinding sound as I drove on . Took it to the dealer and they said the springs in the rear drums had broken and caused other damage to the drums and braking system. I questioned them about a manfacture defect and was told that there was nothing that they would do . I paid $501.66 to get it fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #722781, filed 2000-05“Spring broke in the braking mechanism on the left rear wheel, resulting in lockup, replaced brake drum and the spring. Tt mechanic stated that spring had been broke and loose long enough to score drum easily got into position to lock wheel only this time.”
NHTSA complaint #974968, filed 1995-11 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission fluid leaks and shifts out of gear
- 8 complaints (7%)
- typically at 5.8 yrs old
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Owners report transmission fluid spraying from a cooling line that came loose from the radiator, one case reportedly leading to a fire, and another where the vehicle shifted out of park into reverse on its own. Others describe reverse failing entirely or a shift control problem. Dealers were contacted in most of these cases. Reports come from the mid- to late 1990s, with no consistent mileage pattern in the sample.
Recall 96V015000Recall 91V131000
What to check: Check the transmission cooler lines and their fittings at the radiator for leaks or looseness, confirm the recall repairs were done, and test that the shifter holds firmly in each position.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle's transmission cooling hose disconnected from the radiator, and sprayed hydraulic fluid over the hot engine. Consumer has contacted the dealer. The problem had occured twice. There was a recall by NHTSA #96v015002 regarding the same problem but did not apply to this consumer's vehicle according to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #814912, filed 1997-08“Owner states vehicle caught on fire due to loose fittings around transmission, causing fluid to leak on engine, resulting in fire. Vehicle was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #820845, filed 1998-01
Buying note. On a car this old, the brake system deserves the most attention: verify ABS function and rear drum hardware before trusting it in traffic, and check that the transmission cooler line recalls were completed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 113 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 170,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Brakes46 41%
- Electrical system17 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain10 8.8%
- Engine cooling9 8.0%
- Air bags7 6.2%
- Fuel system5 4.4%
- Seat belts5 4.4%
- Body and structure4 3.5%
- Suspension4 3.5%
- Wheels4 3.5%
Also reported: Equipment (3), Seats (3), Exterior lighting (2), Steering (2), Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Failure of ABS system created a loss of fath in ABS as a means of stopping. Donot trust that it will work spent 2x's orig . Cost to fix. Air conditioner lost freon due to leaks in the coil built in the dash. This caused oil to plug the fins thus blocking air flow. It was stated that GM used a crimping process instead of sodering the fins when they built this type of receiver.if you do not fix , you will not get full air for the defrosters to work.”
NHTSA complaint #757756, filed 2002-02Electrical system: “While working in the drivers side floor area of the vehicle my shirt/belt activated the drivers side power seat control. The seat advanced forward to the end of the seats travel and pinning me under the drivers side under dashboard area of the car. My left upper arm and left wrist were entrapped in around the brake pedal, my right arm was entrapped by in the gas pedal area, the throttle punctured my right wrist. …”
NHTSA complaint #10385052, filed 2011-02, 152,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission mount bolts have fallen out at least 3 times even though replaced with the correct bolts and correct loc-tite. When they fall out the drivetrain drops onto my steering assembly causing it to pull one direction or another or sometimes it feels like it wants to go left and right at the same time. Now my steering is messy even with tranny mount bolts installed the steering ass seems to have been 'stretched' causing it to pull both left and right at the same time or sometimes really hard to the right (tires seam to wear evenly -though it is hard to believe). …”
NHTSA complaint #756280, filed 2002-01Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact was attempting to accelerate from a stop when the contact noticed that the motor carriage had fractured from underneath the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 128,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10347777, filed 2010-08, 128,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 152,800 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 1992 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 · sedan | not rated | 5 / 3 | — | — | — |
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 1992 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 |
| Bonneville FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 17 | $4,850 |
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
- 96V015000Jan 23, 1996Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and linesCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1992–1993, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1992–1995, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1992–1995 +5 more
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.
- 91V167000Sep 23, 1991Parking brake › Conventional › MechanicalCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1992, Buick Lesabre 1992, Park Avenue 1991 +2 more
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
- 91V131000Aug 5, 1991Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1992
Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from shift control cable bracket, causing loss of gear indicator reference, and shift selector operation.
Recall details for the 1992 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
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville?
Complaints about this model year center on the anti-lock brake system: owners describe pedals that sink to the floor, ABS warning lights that stay on, and pump or valve assemblies that stop working, often with several near-identical reports filed around the same period. The issues reported most often: ABS failure, soft pedal to the floor, warning light stays on; Engine stalls at speed, losing power brakes and steering; Rear brake springs break and wheel locks up.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville have?
NHTSA recorded 113 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 46 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system with 17.
Has the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville get?
The EPA rates the 1992 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 1992 Pontiac Bonneville reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 170,000 miles and the middle half falls between 152,800 and 190,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.