Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 139 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.3 times the median Bonneville year — the 1992 model ranks #9 of 36 Bonneville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 54 reports (39% of the total).
139
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
2
Investigations
17
Crash-involved
5
Fires reported
16
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 54 | 39% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 21 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 11 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 10 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 8 | 6% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 6 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence
VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Defect
WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Consequence
DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Remedy
REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
Defect
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET, CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE, AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence
THE DISENGAGED CABLE COULD FALSELY INDICATE TRANSMISSIONGEAR POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE LEFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN THE DRIVERMOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PARK OR THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. A VEHICLE LEFT ON ANINCLINE WITHOUT PARKING BRAKES WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS PLACED IN PARK COULDMOVE. EITHER CASE RESULTS IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET ON TOP OF TRANSAXLE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS PULLING OUT FROM PARKING LOT INTO THE INTERSECTION WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO STOP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ON, CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK ”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CARRIAGE HAD FRACTURED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT…”
“OWNER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO LOOSE FITTINGS AROUND TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ON ENGINE, RESULTING IN FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK ”
“VEHICLE WAS HIT ALMOST HEAD ON PART OF THE IMPACT AREA WAS RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR BRUISES ON THE SHOULDER AND CHEST FROM SEATBELT. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 139 complaints put the 1992 model at #9 of 36 Bonneville years. It is one of the Bonneville years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (54 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints), engine (11 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.