1998 Pontiac Bonneville Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville, 5% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The back two cradle mounts on both sides rusted out and mounts pulled through the cradle causing the steering to become loose filling and causing steering to be out of alignment and when hit brakes front would dart one way or the other and lots of noise coming from under vehicle from cradle bouncing when hitting bumps tried the find one in junk yards and all are that way.”
NHTSA complaint #10713247, filed 2015-04, 105,673 miles“Consumer bought the Bonneville in august, since then it has been in repair shop 7 times. The first four times were for transmission failure. They replaced the pressure control valve and throttle body. The remaining visits were for 4 fuel injection system failures, injector coil failures melted 4 spark plug wires. Also, water pump started leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10050974, filed 2003-12, 49,170 miles“1998 pontaic Bonneville se, standard v6 engine, while stopped with the brake engaged the engine will surge and leap forward . Car engine will quit while driving, causing loss of anti-lock brakes. Transmission sometimes shifts up and down without any reason, even at speed causing control problems. Suposedly related to the design of the intake manifold ( plastic cracks causing vacum problems and sometines loss of water). Also exterior paint started to peal off at 70.000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10030633, filed 2003-08, 65,000 miles“Transaxle: after starting cold engine and driving 20-30 miles transmission starts shifting hard into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. Does not shift hard when lock-up converter engages. Took it to Pontiac dealer and was told it was the pcs (pressure control solenoid) and it was going to be $700 to repair. Called several transmission shops and they said it could be the pcs or the valve body and most all 4t60 and 4t65-e transaxles have this problem?? If there are so many problems, why doesn't GM do something to at least cut the cost of repairs??”
NHTSA complaint #10110148, filed 2005-02, 110,000 miles“When the vehicle is stopped on a slight uphill incline it will roll backwards when the brake pedal is released, and before the throttle is depressed. This was reported to the servicing dealer (jackson Pontiac, macon, ga.) I was told that this was normal for this or similar vehicles. I have never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission that would not hold itself in this or similar situations. I believe that this is a safety defect and should be remedied by the manufacturer. The potential for an accident is great. I have documentation of their report if you need it. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #703000, filed 1999-02Related 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 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
194 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine
6 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 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