1998 Pontiac Bonneville Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,753miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville, 2% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,753 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the new york thruway and all of a sudden, my car shut off. I had to power steer, no power brakes, the fuel gauge read no fuel and the bells went off. I had to try to get to a safe place and restart my car. This has happened many more times. I can be going 25mph or 70mph; I can have the cruise on or off; I can have the heat or A/C on or off, it does not matter; in all cases, the engine shuts off when I am not expecting it.”
NHTSA complaint #10608590, filed 2014-07, 50,000 miles“As I was driving along the engine, power steering, and brakes failed. I had to restart the car and hopefully resume driving so the car coming behind me did not crash into me. This has happened numerous times since including times while on I-95, I-81, rural mountainous roads (which resulted in my car rolling backwards), and city traffic. I have taken it in numerous times to my mechanic and he has not come up with a reason as to why this is happening. I am given no warning by my car that this is about to happen. The warning bell chimes and the car fails at the same time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574017, filed 2014-03, 52,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 53,506.”
NHTSA complaint #10557467, filed 2013-12, 53,506 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact then attempted to park the vehicle however, the vehicle then stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the intake manifold was melted and the head gasket was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10507450, filed 2013-04, 62,000 miles“On multiple occasions I have pulled to a dead stop at a light and during the idling time the engine shuts off and it will not start again. Very embarrassing set of trips to nearby grocer. ..”
NHTSA complaint #10595871, filed 2014-06Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 15% |
| 2003 | 9 | 17% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
194 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology