1988 Pontiac Bonneville
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Bonneville › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Pontiac Bonneville. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 Pontiac Bonneville. Newest first.
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
Owner complaints
17 complaints3 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. All of the seat belts will not click in or hold through the retractor. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The alternator on my 1988 bonneville sse has failed five times since new, the last time after only less than 18K miles and less than 2 years, each time stranding me. it IS my understanding that all bonnevilles from 1987 through mid-1992 model year have very high failure rates on altnernators…
The alternator on my 1988 bonneville sse has failed five times since new, the last time after only less than 18K miles and less than 2 years, each time stranding me. it IS my understanding that all bonnevilles from 1987 through mid-1992 model year have very high failure rates on altnernators, perhaps because the alternators were too small for the electrical load on the bonneville. this represents a serious safety hazard for the owners of these bonnevilles, including me, because when the alternator fails, it strands the owner. a recall IS clearly indicated, since there are millions of these cars still on the road.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Prior alternator lasted lest than 15K miles. I get stranded every time the alternator fails (now for the fifth time). this IS dangerous and could lead to my injury or even death, depending on where I am the next time the alternator fails, including on the highway in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
This was my first bonneville the brakes went out suddenly without warning on both cars. This 1988 bonneville was a total loss because damages added up to more than the car was worth. *ak
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Air conditioning electronic temperature control.
- Structure › Frame and members
A-frame that mounted to vehicle had rusted, causing engine to fall out backwards suddendly. Also causing loss of steering. No warning. *ak
- Seat belts
Automatic seat belt; during impact at 30 mph, the driver's side shoulder belt did not lock. Cause unknown. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission pump shaft sheared off due to long term deterioration. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Plastic defroster grille on dashboard hardens with age when exposed to uv rays, causing grille to deform/ poor defrosting/poor visibility. *Sd
- Suspension › Front
Driving vehicle, swerved vehicle to miss animal in street, landed in revine, vehicle stuck betwen 2 trees, driver pinned/trapped, vehicle caught on fire. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
When making a turn sloppy steering. Due to rack design. tt
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Unknown or other
Starter failed, causing vehicle to stall.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The cars computer shut the car down while driving and lost all the power. Please describe. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Purchase car used had to replace the fuel pump five times had car for three years. tt
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Electrical system alternator; been replace about three and car wouldn't start. tt
- Structure › Body › Door
Unable to open left rear door, dealer claims that there IS no part in the u.s. Or canada to fix this problem. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake failure
There is no summary currently available
- Brake failure
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- Parking brake cable
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- Anti lock brakes
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Every Pontiac Bonneville model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.