VehicleVerdict

1999 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 176 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median Bonneville year — the 1999 model ranks #8 of 36 Bonneville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 60 reports (34% of the total).

176

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Bonneville years?

Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bonneville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6034%
Electrical System2514%
Fuel System2414%
Brakes116%
Tires & Wheels95%
Airbags85%
Transmission85%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Other42%
Speed Control42%
Steering42%
Body & Structure42%
Suspension32%
Seat Belts21%
Seats21%
Lighting11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

4 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.

04V090000Fuel SystemFebruary 24, 2004 · 910,873 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence

THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

99V089000TransmissionApril 26, 1999 · 99,333 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.

Consequence

IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.

99V072000Tires & WheelsApril 12, 1999 · 352 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CHROME PLATED ALUMINUM WHEELS. SOME OF THESE WHEELS HAVE A MOUNTING SURFACE THAT WAS NOT MACHINED CORRECTLY, CAUSING THE WHEEL STUDS TO BREAK.

Consequence

THE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEELS AND REPLACE ALL WHEELS WITH DATE CODES INDICATING THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MACHINED CORRECTLY. THE WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS AT ANY LOCATION WHERE A SUSPECT WHEEL WAS INSTALLED WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER'S BROTHER EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE BACKFIRING THE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE INSURANCE CLAIM. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE MAY BE A NEGLIGENCE ISSUE, PER NEWS ARTICLE, THAT MAY UNCOVER MORE INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE. REFER TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 8, 2000 · fire

“CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE ,AND AS SOON AS VEHICLE STARTED , IT BACKFIRED, AND MADE LOUD SOUND. THEN, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING SMOKE DAMAGE. SHATTERED WINDSHIELD/BURNED FRONT END, AND ALMOST MELTED TIRES. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ALSO , THERE WAS A HOLE BETWEEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A GAS LEAKAGE. THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FITTING AT THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL WAS THE PROBLEM. O-RINGS WERE REPLACED, THINGS SEEMED FINE - NO GAS SMELL OR LEAKAGE. THIS LASTED FOR APPX. 24 HOURS. I DROVE ABOUT 7 MILES TO AND FROM WORK THREE TIMES, A TOTAL OF 21 MILES, STOPPED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 16, 2010 · fire

“BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP AT A GOOD DISTANT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ALSO, DRUMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED. LAST MONTH DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CYLINDER. BRAKE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK BRAKES FAILED FREQUENTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIM CRACKED DURING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 1999 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED THE VEHICLE DEALER DISCOVERED THE BELTS ON THE INSIDE OF ALL FOUR TIRES HAD SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TIRES WERE SEVEN YEARS OLD. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 23, 2006

1999 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 176 complaints put the 1999 model at #8 of 36 Bonneville years. It is one of the Bonneville years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Bonneville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (60 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints), fuel system (24 complaints).

Does the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.