1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
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 1-800-620-…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 299 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville safety ratings
Side barrier testSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SSE 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
What's a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM¿S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS. THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURC…
NHTSA #EA02030 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 2002 · closed Mar 2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE02050 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jun 2002 · closed Oct 2002An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 58
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 58.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…
Bulletin PIP4723F · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…
Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
Bulletin 19NA273 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…
Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…
Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17-NA-073 · Equipment · Mar 2017Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the BONNEVILLE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
On certain vehicles, a combination of a low battery condition and fuel in the upper intake manifold while the ignition key is activated at engine start could cause an elevated rate of manifold over-pressurization events. The operator may experience a loud bang / intake backfire that could rupture the intake manifold, resulting in emitting dust from under the hood and a no-start…
Transport Canada #2003283 · Nov 2003Emissions
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. Vehicles were built with incorrect emission control labels. The emission control (tune up) labels have an incorrect emission vacuum hose routing schematic. Correction: Dealers will install a new vehicle emission control label on the radiator support.
Transport Canada #1999128 · Jun 1999Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1101 - EMISSION DEVICE. IMPROPER CALIBRATION OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RESULT IN UNCONTROLLED SPARK KNOCK, SETTING AN MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP), MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, AUDIBLE KNOCK AND/OR POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. CORRECTION: VEHICLE PCM WILL BE REFLASHED WITH NEW CALIBRATION SOFTWEAR.
Transport Canada #1998034 · Feb 1998Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville trims & engines on record
1998 Pontiac Bonneville vehicles on record
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K1W4236351
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K5W4222002
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SLE1G2HX52KXW4206541
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K4WH201912
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K3W4222905
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K2W4210731
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K8W4233351