1981 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Common 1981 Pontiac Bonneville problems

The 1981 Pontiac Bonneville is known for its smooth ride, comfort, and luxury touches, but it also has some common problems that owners have reported. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

• Electrical Issues: The electrical systems in the 1981 Bonneville were also a common source of frustration for owners. Faulty wiring, failing components, and other electrical gremlins were reported by many owners.

• Transmission Problems: Transmission issues were another common problem with the 1981 Bonneville. The torque converter was known to fail routinely, and the transmission itself was prone to problems.

• Head Gasket Failure: The 4.1L v-6 engine in the 1981 Bonneville was known for having head gasket issues. This could lead to overheating, engine damage, and costly repairs.

• Fuel System Issues: The fuel system in the 1981 Bonneville was also a source of problems. Some owners reported issues with the fuel pump, fuel injectors, and other components of the fuel system.

• Rear Main Seal and Ring Issues: Another common problem with the 1981 Bonneville was issues with the rear main seal and rings. This was often caused by clogged breathers in the valve covers, which led to crankcase pressure and oil leaks.

• Poor Fuel Mileage: While the 1981 Bonneville was known for getting good fuel mileage, some owners reported poor fuel economy, especially in city driving.

• Poor Quality Transmissions: Some owners reported issues with the transmissions in the 1981 Bonneville, with many of them failing or needing to be replaced.

• Poor Quality Parts: Some owners reported issues with the quality of the parts used in the 1981 Bonneville, with many of them failing or needing to be replaced prematurely.

• Poor Design: Some owners reported issues with the design of the 1981 Bonneville, with many of them finding it to be uncomfortable, poorly laid out, or difficult to drive.

Overall, the 1981 Pontiac Bonneville was a car that had its fair share of problems, but many owners still appreciated its smooth ride, comfort, and luxury touches. With proper maintenance and care, many of these issues could be avoided or mitigated, but they were still a source of frustration for many owners.

What engine was in a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville?

Pontiac Bonneville 5.0 V8 6th Generation 157ps, (1977 - 1981)

How reliable are Pontiac Bonneville?

Bonneville owners have made 494 complaints over 16 model years. It ranks 10th in reliability out of 17 eligible Pontiac models. Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems.

How rare is Pontiac Bonneville?

Just 630 production examples of these cars were ever made – one per dealer in the United States, plus two prototypes.

What kind of engine does a Pontiac Bonneville have?

The Bonneville also had more powerful standard V8 engines than other full-sized Pontiacs, including the 389 cu in (6.4 L) or 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8s with four-barrel carburetors (power ratings of 303 to 340 hp (226 to 254 kW) depending on year) with many optional V8 offerings, such as the availability of the Tri-Power ( ...

What engine was in a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville?

Pontiac Bonneville 5.0 V8 6th Generation 157ps, (1977 - 1981)

How reliable are Pontiac Bonneville?

Bonneville owners have made 494 complaints over 16 model years. It ranks 10th in reliability out of 17 eligible Pontiac models. Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems.

Was the Pontiac Bonneville a luxury car?

It entered the production lineup as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957, and was loaded with every available option as standard equipment to include leather upholstery, power adjustable front seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes and power convertible top ...

What kind of engine does a Pontiac Bonneville have?

A 3.8-litre with 205 ponies is standard on the Bonneville; a supercharged version of the same engine is optional.

1981 Pontiac Bonneville car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Bonneville problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Engine and engine cooling problems
• Equipment problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Pontiac Bonneville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.