Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Pontiac Bonneville Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 2.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
147Complaints
2Recalls
3Crashes
16Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (16.3% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 2.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 24 · 16.3% | Investigation closed | PE02050 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 14 · 9.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 12 · 8.2% | Investigation closed | PE02050 |
| Electrical System:horn | 11 · 7.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 8 · 5.4% | Investigation closed | PE02050 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 · 4.1% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 147 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 2 campaigns
Seats
NHTSA campaign 96V196000 · 1996 · reported 10/08/1996
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE CAN OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE, THIS FIRE STARTED BACK BY THE FIRE WALL AND MELTED THE CENTER OF…”NHTSA complaint 6900820 — filed 01/17/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE, THIS FIRE STARTED BACK BY THE FIRE WALL AND MELTED THE CENTER OF…”NHTSA complaint 6900820 — filed 01/17/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CLAIM NUMBER 17-9174-792.”NHTSA complaint 6900819 — filed 01/17/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 147 NHTSA complaints (16.3%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (14), engine and engine cooling:engine (12), electrical system:horn (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville have?
147 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 16 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
