Pontiac Bonneville years to avoid
The Pontiac Bonneville years to avoid are 1998, 1995, 2000, 1997, 1993, 1996, 2001, 1999, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 1990, 2004, 2005, 1989 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1983 is the cleanest year on record.
2,576
Total complaints
43
Recall campaigns
1965–2005
Years covered
16
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Bonneville years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 359 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 330 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 301 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 188 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 183 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 181 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 179 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 176 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 139 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 123 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 112 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 64 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 45 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 38 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 37 | |
| 1989 | High complaint rate | 35 |
Every Bonneville year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005avoid | 37 | 0 | |
| 2004avoid | 38 | 0 | |
| 2003avoid | 64 | 2 | |
| 2002avoid | 112 | 2 | |
| 2001avoid | 179 | 0 | |
| 2000avoid | 301 | 2 | |
| 1999avoid | 176 | 4 | |
| 1998avoid | 359 | 2 | |
| 1997avoid | 188 | 2 | |
| 1996avoid | 181 | 3 | |
| 1995avoid | 330 | 1 | |
| 1994avoid | 123 | 0 | |
| 1993avoid | 183 | 1 | |
| 1992avoid | 139 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 26 | 2 | |
| 1990avoid | 45 | 1 | |
| 1989avoid | 35 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 20 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 24 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1985 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1978 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1977 | 1 | 4 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1971 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1969 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1966 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1965 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Pontiac Bonneville years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Bonneville years to avoid are 1998, 1995, 2000, 1997, 1993, 1996, 2001, 1999, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 1990, 2004, 2005, 1989. The cleanest year on record is 1983.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Bonneville?
By complaint volume, 1983 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Bonneville years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Bonneville have?
Across all model years, the Bonneville has 43 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,576 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.