Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Pontiac Bonneville, and it carries 3 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 | 50 | 38% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 9% |
| Power train | 9 | 7% |
| Air bags | 8 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% |
| Structure | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THERE R NO BRAKES PUT BRAKES ON WILL GO ALL THE WAY TOO FLOOR U GOT TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE VERY DANGERS HEARD THERE IS A RECALL ON BRAKE BOOSTER
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE WORKING IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR AREA OF THE VEHICLE MY SHIRT/BELT ACTIVATED THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT CONTROL. THE SEAT ADVANCED FORWARD TO THE END OF THE SEATS TRAVEL AND PINNING ME UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CARRIAGE HAD FRACTURED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW OFF. *MC ACCORDING TO THE POLICE OFFICERS EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, IT SHOWED 1 STUD REMAINING W
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COIL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE SIX TIMES. EACH TIM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS MY CLEARCOAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF LIKE A BAD SUNBURN. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE. IT'S HAPPENING ON THE ENTIRE HOOD AND ON BOTH FRONT FENDERS. I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE REST OF THE CAR LOOKS BR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Fix: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET, CAUSING LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE, AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Risk: THE DISENGAGED CABLE COULD FALSELY INDICATE TRANSMISSIONGEAR POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE LEFT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN THE DRIVERMOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PARK OR THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. A VEH
Fix: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP ON THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BRACKET ON TOP OF TRANSAXLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 50 of them (38%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.