1997 Pontiac Bonneville Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 11%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville, 11% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The intake manifold or the plemium whatever you want to call the thing wore out and all of my engine coolant went into the fuel cylinders and locked my motor down I was headed to macon ga from douglas,ga going to the hospital were they had transfered my brother and here I am in perry,ga broke down because Pontiac puts a plastic intake manifold on a motor I feel like Pontiac should have to pay for this part being replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067614, filed 2004-04, 128,123 miles“Transmission bumps and jerks at speeds over 30 MPH. Usually when climbing a hill. Solution...let off the gas for a second and re apply to stop the bucking temporarily. Also happened to my 92 Bonneville which had the original transmission that never failed with over 180,000 miles on it, besides the bucking.”
NHTSA complaint #10016644, filed 2003-04, 12,000 miles“I purchased this car used from a retailer who offered me 60 bumper to bumper warranty. During the first road trip, the car began surging at various speeds from 35-65 MPH. The surging appeared to occur more often at a RPM of 2000 - 2500. I brought the car in to gary Pontiac with an explanation of the problem. When I picked up the vehicle at the end of the day, the diagnosis was to replace the wires, filters, perform a transmission tune-up for a total of around $300.00. I decided to save money and to have the work done elsewhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #732472, filed 2000-09“The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving at 55 MPH the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle sped into full throttle. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but was unable to stop the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into reverse in order to stop the vehicle. The failure contained no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and when the mechanic started the vehicle, it was still at full throttle. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The current and failure mileage was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10187429, filed 2007-04, 110,000 miles“Consumer stating that the transmission would not go in to gear, dealer removed transmission assembly and disassembled it and found internal damage exceeded a rebuilt replacement, also transaxle does not go into reverse smoothly and will bang, dealer flushed transmission fluid and changed filter, consumer still not satisfied with the situation.”
NHTSA complaint #564392, filed 2002-02Related service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 7% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 6 | 11% |
| 2002 | 7 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 13% |
| 2000 | 18 | 8% |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 16 | 11% |
| 1996 | 8 | 5% |
| 1995 | 18 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 9% |
| 1993 | 18 | 13% |
| 1992 | 10 | 9% |
| 1991 | 3 | 14% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
50 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology