Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 7 | 23% |
| Suspension | 3 | 10% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
READING ABOUT THE RECENT GM RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES STALLING OUT WHEN DRIVING, TRIGGERED MY MEMORY OF MY FORMER PONTIAC. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS, THIS PONTIAC HAD STALLED OUT IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE AN 1989 PONTIAC- BONNIVILLE. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED DRAINING MY BATTERY & THEN RUINED MY ALTERNATOR. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM RUINING MY NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY,. I WAS MANUALLY OPENING & CL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS BUSTED OUT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
WHILE APPLYING HIS BRAKES THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES WHEN HE APPLY HIS BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
AT 65 MPH THE TREAD PEELED AWAY FROM TIRE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL.THEY TIRE KEPT ITS AIR AND I DROVE ON THE BELTS FOR AID.THERE WAS 50000 MILES ON THE TIRE BUT THEY (THE OTHER REAR WAS THE SAME TYPE)HAD GOOD TREAD ON T
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I HAVE HAD TWO BONNEVILLES' AN 1988' AND A 1989' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR BRAKE TROUBLES WITH BOTH VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON THIS CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE FIXED. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/65/15)
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER AT 45MPH WHEN SUBFRAME SEPARATED. DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. MANAGED TO PULL OVER. STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Pontiac Bonneville. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CE
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.
Fix: 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).
FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Risk: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE BECOMES INVERTEDMISSING VALVE COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 7 of them (23%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.