PONTIAC BONNEVILLE · model year

1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

183 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993PONTIACBONNEVILLE carries 183 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 12 fires, 10 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 1993 BONNEVILLE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 26 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (11) and power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines (8). 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 1993 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.

183
Complaints
17
Crashes
12
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

183 filings

Crashes Reported

17 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 SLIP26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS3
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK3

Recent Complaints

20110107STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ENCOUNTERING A SPEED BUMP, HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT FRAME AND ENGINE BOTH DETACHED AND WERE POSITIONED ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE RESIDENCE AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED; AND UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 30

20090413STEERING

1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (3.8L) REAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AT ALL FOR BOLT POINTS CAUSING REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR CAUSING STEERING ISSUES AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. 1.) DRIVING DOWN NORMAL PAVED CITY STREET. BEGAN TURNING A CORNER. (EXTREMELY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE) 2.) FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. ANY FAILURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS IS ONE TOO MANY. 3.) NOT YET REPAIRED IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF FAILURE ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, BUT I DO NOT SEE ONE LISTED FOR THE BONNEVILLE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. THIS WAS CRITICAL ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THEN THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE BONNEVILLE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20090413STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (3.8L) REAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AT ALL FOR BOLT POINTS CAUSING REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR CAUSING STEERING ISSUES AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. 1.) DRIVING DOWN NORMAL PAVED CITY STREET. BEGAN TURNING A CORNER. (EXTREMELY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE) 2.) FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. ANY FAILURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS IS ONE TOO MANY. 3.) NOT YET REPAIRED IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF FAILURE ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, BUT I DO NOT SEE ONE LISTED FOR THE BONNEVILLE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. THIS WAS CRITICAL ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THEN THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE BONNEVILLE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20090413STRUCTURE

1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (3.8L) REAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTED AT ALL FOR BOLT POINTS CAUSING REAR OF ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR CAUSING STEERING ISSUES AND AN EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. 1.) DRIVING DOWN NORMAL PAVED CITY STREET. BEGAN TURNING A CORNER. (EXTREMELY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE) 2.) FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. ANY FAILURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS IS ONE TOO MANY. 3.) NOT YET REPAIRED IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF FAILURE ON THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, BUT I DO NOT SEE ONE LISTED FOR THE BONNEVILLE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. THIS WAS CRITICAL ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, THEN THIS SHOULD BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE BONNEVILLE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20080403POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER MADE A REPORT; HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT COMPLETELY SURE IF HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V015000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES). THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE HIM WITH AN ANSWER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 4/21/08 *CN

Mileage: 55,000

20070509ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. A FEW HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S OIL WAS BLACK. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OIL CHANGE WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD POSSIBLY RESULT FROM ENGINE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, MIDAS FAILS TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS THE RECEIPT AND PAPERWORK FROM THE EVENT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 233,065.

Mileage: 233,065

20060417STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I OWN A 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, VIN [XXX] WITH JUST OVER 160,000 MILES ON IT. ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 6TH, 2006 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR NEAR OUR HOME. SHE WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON ORTMAN ROAD AND AS SHE PULLED ONTO CHERRY CREEK ROAD SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. AT THE SAME TIME SHE LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY. WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IT JUST SPUN IN CIRCLES AS IF IT WERE NO LONGER ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. I WAS CALLED AND WENT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I SAW THAT THE SUB FRAME AND MOTOR HAD DROPPED DOWN ABOUT 6 INCHES. THERE ARE FOUR BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE SUB FRAME TO THE BODY OF THESE VEHICLES. THE BOLTS WERE ALL IN PLACE AND IN GOOD SHAPE. EACH BOLT HAS A WASHER, WHICH RETAINS THE SUB FRAME TO THE BODY OF THIS CAR. ON MY CAR THE WASHERS CORRODED AND WORE TO THE POINT THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER RETAIN THE SUB FRAME. THE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE MOUNTING HOLES OF THE SUB FRAME, THUS ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS TO DROP ABOUT 6 INCHES.

Mileage: 160,000

20050515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

WENT TO THE STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY CAR WOULD NOT START, THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID TO CLEAN THE KEY AND CHECKS THE FUSES. I DID BOTH OF THESE AND STILL NO START. I CALLED A GM DEALER AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT RECOGONING THE KEY AND THAT IS WHY IT WONT START. THE KEY HAS A CHIP ON IT, NOW THIS IS IN NO WAY SOMETHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY NEGLECT, IT IS FROM A DEFECT IN THE KEY, YET GM WILL NOT PAY TO GET THIS FIX AND GET THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD.

20050228TIRES:SIDEWALL

TIRE DEFECT. GROOVE DEVELOPING ON SIDEWALL APPROXIMATELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE "BRAND" AND "MODEL" LETTERING. LOOKS AS IF THE TIRE HAS BEEN RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING, BUT IS ON OUTSIDE OF TIRE. THIS IS HAPPENING ON TWO TIRES. ONE PASSENGER REAR, THE OTHER, DRIVER FRONT. POSSIBLE BELT SEPARATION?

Mileage: 162,000

20050110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER AFTER ONLY 24,000 MILES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THESE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, AFTER 35,000 MILES THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP.OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Mileage: 24,000

20050110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER AFTER ONLY 24,000 MILES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THESE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, AFTER 35,000 MILES THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP.OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Mileage: 24,000

20040504STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH FRONT FRAME DROPPED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

20040303CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT

INVOLVED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION, MVA. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BEING A DISABLED FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC I AM AN ADVID WEARER OF SEATBELT'S. POST ACCIDENT AS I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE MYSELF FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, I REACHED DOWN TO FIND THE SEATBELT HAD NOT HELD DURING THE ACCIDENT. I AM GOING TO INSPECT THE CAR ON 03/05, THEN RELEASE IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. HOW DO I PROCEED IF IT IS FOUND TO BE FAULTY? *AK

Mileage: 79,800

20040220POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB

20040220ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB

20040220SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB

20040220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB

20040127STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *JB

Mileage: 105,000

20040116ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND TRIED TO START CAR. CAR MADE LOUD BOOM AND BLEW OFF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BALL OF FLAME SHOT UP. MY CHILDREN WERE NEARBY AND PLASTIC PARTS WENT SHOOTING ALL AROUND NEARBY AREA. *CB

Mileage: 218,000

20030606ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

HEY, HOW YOU DOING. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I TOOK MY MOTHERS ([XXX]) 93 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE INTO THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP ON 159TH ST IN SOUTHHOLLAND ILLINOIS. I KNOW THAT DEALERSHIPS HAVE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. THE PROBLEM IS, MY MOTHER'S CAR WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED A TURBO GASKET AND A MANIFOLD GASKET. WHEN THE JOB WAS DONE THEY TOLD ME THE BILL CAME TO SIX HUNDRED AND SOMETHING DOLLARS. HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS STILL NOT RUNNING BECAUSE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO GET A NEW TURBO SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM IS, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S FAIR FOR THE DEALERSHIPS, CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO BE MAKING GUESSES ON WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR WHEN HE WENT TO SCHOOL TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING I DON'T NEED, THE CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING, BECAUSE THE MECHANIC DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. ON TOP OF THAT, YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR CAR TO NO PLACE BETTER THAN THE DEALE

Compare 1993PONTIACBONNEVILLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE have?
The 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE has 183 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 12 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE?
The most-complained component for the 1993 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES.
Is the 1993 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.