PONTIAC BONNEVILLE · model year

1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

35 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989PONTIACBONNEVILLE carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 BONNEVILLE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 5 filings, followed by seat belts:front:buckle assembly (2) and electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1989 BONNEVILLE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

35
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20140312ENGINE

READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND SCARED TO DEATH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, WAITED AND RESTARTED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FRASIER PONTIAC IN AMESBURY MASS), AND THEY COULD NOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM; THEY FOUND NOTHING. WHEN IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR; DRIVE IT AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM DID HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS (HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH) AND HE LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PART, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC IGNITION CIRCUIT BOARD. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY FOUND A GM SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I SOLD THE

Mileage: 50,000

20140312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH, AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AND SCARED TO DEATH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, WAITED AND RESTARTED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FRASIER PONTIAC IN AMESBURY MASS), AND THEY COULD NOT SIMULATE THE PROBLEM; THEY FOUND NOTHING. WHEN IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR; DRIVE IT AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM DID HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS (HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH) AND HE LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PART, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC IGNITION CIRCUIT BOARD. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY FOUND A GM SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I SOLD THE

Mileage: 50,000

20080910LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CLOSING MY DOORS. NOW 3 OF MY 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR BY PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I AM NOW HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A 1988 BONNEVILLE, THAT DID THE EXACT THING. I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME TRYING TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL, THIS CAR WAS CHECKED FOR DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS NEW, I STILL HAVE THE PAPER WORK WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN. THE PAPER WORK SAID THAT IT WAS CHECKED, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND IT'S STILL HAVING THEM. *TR

20080910ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CLOSING MY DOORS. NOW 3 OF MY 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY OR BY PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I AM NOW HAVING TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF MY CAR BY THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A 1988 BONNEVILLE, THAT DID THE EXACT THING. I AM HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME TRYING TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL, THIS CAR WAS CHECKED FOR DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS NEW, I STILL HAVE THE PAPER WORK WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN. THE PAPER WORK SAID THAT IT WAS CHECKED, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND IT'S STILL HAVING THEM. *TR

20040329EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS BUSTED OUT. *AK

Mileage: 56,544

20021218SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

WHILE APPLYING HIS BRAKES THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES WHEN HE APPLY HIS BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

20011016TIRES:TREAD/BELT

AT 65 MPH THE TREAD PEELED AWAY FROM TIRE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL.THEY TIRE KEPT ITS AIR AND I DROVE ON THE BELTS FOR AID.THERE WAS 50000 MILES ON THE TIRE BUT THEY (THE OTHER REAR WAS THE SAME TYPE)HAD GOOD TREAD ON THEM.I BOUGHT TWO NEW TIRESTHE NEXT DAY.THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SPARCE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. *AK (TIRESIZE: P20570R15)

20010712CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

I HAVE HAD TWO BONNEVILLES' AN 1988' AND A 1989' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR BRAKE TROUBLES WITH BOTH VEHICLES. *AK

20010712SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON THIS CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE FIXED. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/65/15)

20001207STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER AT 45MPH WHEN SUBFRAME SEPARATED. DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. MANAGED TO PULL OVER. STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. *AK

20000908SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, FIRST DRIVE ON THE ROAD THE BRAKES FAILED, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ANIT-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGED RETURNING A ROCK HARD PEDAL BUT DID NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES, AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS, THE PEDAL RELEASED AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED. NLM

20000905CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.

20000905CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AT ABOUT 70 MPH. DURING RESULTANT CRASH, SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. INJURY SUSTAINED WAS A BURST FRACTURE OF THE L-1 VERTEBRAE RESULTING IN AN INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY.

20000519STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

BEFORE THE DOORS JAMMED/THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BEGAN TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES - NOT ONE OF THE DOORS JAMMED, BUT ALL FOUR- ALSO THE ABS HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR- I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT EACH OF MY DOORS, AND THE UNHEARD OF PRICES THE DEALER WAS CHARGING, BEFORE FINALLY SAYING THEY CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS AT ALL.

20000519SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BEFORE THE DOORS JAMMED/THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS BEGAN TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES - NOT ONE OF THE DOORS JAMMED, BUT ALL FOUR- ALSO THE ABS HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR- I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT EACH OF MY DOORS, AND THE UNHEARD OF PRICES THE DEALER WAS CHARGING, BEFORE FINALLY SAYING THEY CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS AT ALL.

19990910STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

POWER LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY LOCK ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, AND SOMETIMES CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY, THIS CAUSED A CHILD TO BE LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR HOURS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

19990908SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

LEFT REAR BALL JOINT GAVE WAY, ALLOWING LEFT REAR FORK TO COLLAPSE. FORK THEN JAMMED ITSELF AGAINST THE INSIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL RIM, PREVENTING THE WHEEL FROM ROTATING IN EITHER DIRECTION. PROBLEM--REAR INDEPENDENT STRUT SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT.

19990514VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. KNOCKED OVER A SIGN. MOTOR WAS RACING VERY HIGH, AND FINALLY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP. *AK

19990420SEATS

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKETS SPLIT CAUSING SEAT TO TILT BACK, SEAT BELTS GET STUCK WITH DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING.

19990420SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BRACKETS SPLIT CAUSING SEAT TO TILT BACK, SEAT BELTS GET STUCK WITH DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING.

Compare 1989PONTIACBONNEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE have?
The 1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE has 35 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR.
Is the 1989 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.