VehicleVerdict

1997 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 188 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.6 times the median Bonneville year — the 1997 model ranks #4 of 36 Bonneville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (31% of the total).

188

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

25

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Bonneville years?

Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted359 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 24 complaints1988: 20 complaints1989: 35 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 26 complaints1992: 139 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 123 complaints1995: 330 complaints1996: 181 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 359 complaints1999: 176 complaints2000: 301 complaints2001: 179 complaints2002: 112 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 38 complaints2005: 37 complaints
Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bonneville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5931%
Electrical System3016%
Transmission1910%
Brakes147%
Steering147%
Fuel System126%
Speed Control105%
Lighting53%
Airbags42%
Other42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Seat Belts32%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Seats32%
Suspension21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

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

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

96V196000SeatsOctober 8, 1996 · 47 units

Defect

THE SEAT COVER TRIM MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 302, "FLAMMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS."

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COVERS ON THE FRONT SEAT BACKS, REAR SEAT CUSHION AND REAR SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAD A 1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN MICHIGAN, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS NOT SPEEDING, AND MY CAR WAS PERFECTLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. BY THE TIME THE FIRE SERVICE GOT THERE, THE WHOLE CAR BURNT DOWN. IT TOOK LESS THAN 20 MINUTES FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 7, 2009 · fire

“WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH BEHIND THE RADIO. MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE IN THE DASH. CAR WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. STILL NOT FIXED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 8, 1996 · fire

“CONSUMER STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO IN TO GEAR, DEALER REMOVED TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLED IT AND FOUND INTERNAL DAMAGE EXCEEDED A REBUILT REPLACEMENT, ALSO TRANSAXLE DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE SMOOTHLY AND WILL BANG, DEALER FLUSHED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CHANGED FILTER,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 17, 2001

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WHEN WORK WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 16, 2000 · fire

“1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RACK& PINION STEERING THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT ONLY. TURNING RIGHT WAS STILL FUNCTIONING WITH POWER ASSIST. THE PROBLEM INCREASED OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO WHERE THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN LEFT AT ALL (EVEN MANUALLY). COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 19, 2002

1997 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 188 complaints put the 1997 model at #4 of 36 Bonneville years. It is one of the Bonneville years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Bonneville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (59 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), transmission (19 complaints).

Does the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.