1992 Pontiac Bonneville: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville: 3 recalls, 113 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #91V131000 · 1991 · 1,570 vehicles
What's wrong: Transaxle shift control cable May disengage from shift control cable bracket, causing loss of gear indicator reference, and shift selector operation.
Why it matters: 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.…
The fix: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip on the shift control cable bracket on top of transaxle.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #91V167000 · 1991 · 20,765 vehicles
What's wrong: When applied, the parking brake lever assembly May release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Replace parking brake lever assembly.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #96V015000 · 1996 · 585,182 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Why it matters: Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (45): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (13), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), electrical failure (7), fire / smoke (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are leaks (3), hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Engine & cooling (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 1992 Pontiac Bonneville has 113 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 16 Bonneville model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 119). Complaints peaked in 1995 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 170,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (22 complaints, 1 recalls), 1993 (138 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Pontiac Bonneville problems?
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (45), electrical (17), transmission & drivetrain (10).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.