Total Complaints
183 filings
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE · model year
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.
Total Complaints
183 filings
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 26 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK | 3 |
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB
THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB
THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB
THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND OIL. *LA THERE WERE ALSO BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SC *JB
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
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
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
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.