The 1991 Pontiac Bonneville has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 6,866 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN91V1980001991-11-146,866 affected
Defect
THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence
THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARKPOSITION WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRANSAXLE MAY NOT ACTUALLY BEIN PARK, RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AGRADE. ALSO, THE DRIVER CAN PLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUTTURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE…
Remedy
INSTALL TWO TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIPS.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
3
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
1fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
2
2crashes2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
Total complaints26
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac bonneville. While driving approximately 45 mph in cold weather conditions, the transmission oil cooler line separated and caused transmission fluid to leak excessively. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa…”
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph on the highway, the rod bearing fractured along the engine without warning. This caused oil to leak onto the hot catalytic converter causing a fire to erupt within the engine compartment and spread through the air conditioning blower motor and into the…”
“Consumer stated that after market master cylinder had to be replaced on three occasions because the plunger pin kept breaking. This caused brake pedal to go to the floor when brakes were applied. Unable to get in contact with the manufacturer, fenco / fenwick automotive products.*ak consumer had…”
“The battery and alternator were replaced due to failure. *mjs”
“The battery and alternator were replaced due to failure. *mjs”
“The indicator warning lights are continually going on and off continually, dealership is not able to determine problem without taking the unit out for $500 to $600. *mjs”
“Metal holding the catch pin on the underside of the hood is prone to stress cracks while driving the vehicle 55 mph, this problem caused the hood to fly open. Problem has been reported to the dealership. *ak”
“While driving on freeway I was struck by a drunk driver going approx. 70-75mph. I was hit in the left rear of the car and I was immediately thrown back.after pulling over I found out that the seat back had broken and was in the fully reclined position. I was unable to pull the sear back to it's…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Pontiac Bonneville as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.