1998 Pontiac Bonneville: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville: 1 recall, 277 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V090000 · 2004 · 910,873 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 28 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (194): the most common themes are leaks (59), stalls / loses power (44), fire / smoke (27).
- Fuel system (33): the most common themes are leaks (13), fire / smoke (6), stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (28): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (10), fire / smoke (7), electrical failure (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (13): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4).
The 1998 Pontiac Bonneville has 277 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 16 Bonneville model years for complaints (2.3× the average Bonneville year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (65 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 71,725 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (147 complaints, 1 recalls), 1999 (143 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
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 1998 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 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems?
Owners have filed 277 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (194), fuel system (33), electrical (28).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.