1991 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Bonneville years?

Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bonneville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	6	23%	▼ down
Electrical System	3	12%	— flat
Engine	3	12%	▲ up
Transmission	3	12%	▲ up
Speed Control	2	8%	▼ down
Seat Belts	2	8%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	2	8%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	4%	▼ down
Fuel System	1	4%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	4%	— flat
Lighting	1	4%	— flat
Seats	1	4%	▼ down

Does the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

91V198000TransmissionNovember 14, 1991 · 6,866 units

Defect

THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.

Consequence

THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARKPOSITION WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT ACTUALLY BEIN PARK, RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AGRADE. ALSO, THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUTTURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT BE IN THE POSITION INDICATED,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BOTH CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN DRIVING THE BRAKES ARE MAKING LOUD NOISE AND CONSUMER HAD FRONT BRAKES PUT ON TODAY, AND REAR BRAKES PUT ON LAST WEEK. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 12, 1997

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ROD BEARING FRACTURED ALONG THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE TO ERUPT WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SPREAD THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR AND INTO THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 7, 2006 · fire

“I HAVE CHANGED THE DASH AND HAD ALL WIRING CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE EXCEPT THAT I HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 3, 2008

“METAL HOLDING THE CATCH PIN ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD IS PRONE TO STRESS CRACKS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 55 MPH, THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · October 27, 1999

1991 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 Bonneville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), engine (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Pontiac Bonneville years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Bonneville years belongs to 1983.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1991 compare to other Bonneville years?

What are the most common 1991 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

Does the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1991 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

What are the most common 1991 Bonneville problems?

Does the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Which Pontiac Bonneville years should you avoid?

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