1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems
The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size front-engine rear drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005, with a hiatus for model years 1982-1986.
The Bonneville (marketed as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches (5.8 m) long, and at 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time.
The Bonneville nameplate was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year, its name taken from the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah — an early site of US auto racing and numerous world's land speed record records, itself named after U.S. Army officer Benjamin Bonneville.
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Common 1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems
The 1987 Pontiac Bonneville has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners.
Another issue reported by owners is engine problems, with 100% of the complaints in the 8th generation Bonneville (1987-1991) related to engine issues.
Electrical issues are also a common problem in the 1987 Bonneville, with 41% of the complaints related to electrical problems.
In addition to these issues, there are also complaints about the transmission, with 21% of the complaints related to transmission problems.
While the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville has several common problems, it's worth noting that the car is generally considered to be of good quality, with no major issues reported. However, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
What year did Pontiac Bonneville avoid?
The Worst 2000-2005 Bonneville Problems
Most Pontiac cars have a defect where the power window mechanism breaks because it's made of cheap plastic parts which break in the power window pulley assembly. GM dealers will only replace the entire assembly, to the tune of $450 per wind…
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 many miles can a Pontiac Bonneville last?
The Bonnevilles are the GM car I will miss the most with their restructuring. The bigger car ride, smaller car handling, full instrumentation and adult styling made the Bonnies an all-American car. The 3800 engine is very hard to fault and this car can easily last 200,000 miles with modest attention.
What is the least reliable Pontiac?
Least Reliable Pontiac Generations
| Rank | Model | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 3rd Generation Grand Am (1986-1991) | 0.88 |
| 3rd | 1st Generation Trans Sport (1990-1996) | 0.64 |
| 2nd | 3rd Generation Firebird (1982-1992) | 0.59 |
| 1st | 8th Generation Bonneville (1987-1991) | 0.17 |
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.
What year did Pontiac Bonneville avoid?
The Worst 2000-2005 Bonneville Problems
Most Pontiac cars have a defect where the power window mechanism breaks because it's made of cheap plastic parts which break in the power window pulley assembly. GM dealers will only replace the entire assembly, to the tune of $450 per wind…
How long can a Pontiac Bonneville last?
The bigger car ride, smaller car handling, full instrumentation and adult styling made the Bonnies an all-American car. The 3800 engine is very hard to fault and this car can easily last 200,000 miles with modest attention.
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.
1987 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:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Pontiac Bonneville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1987 Pontiac Bonneville
The NHTSA has received 29 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1987 Pontiac Bonneville vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-07
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE CAR WILL MOMENTARILY HESITATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. IT IS PERIODIC AND NOT CONSISTENT, THEREFORE, HARD TO DUPLICATE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I ASKED GM TO E-MAIL SOME OF THEIR NATIONWIDE PONTIAC DEALERSHIPS AND ASK FOR THEIR INPUT ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSED. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING MOVING TRAFFIC. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WILL REMEMBER THAT WHEN I PURCHASE MY NEXT VEHICLE. *JB
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1989-05-08
- VIN: 1G2HZ5134HW
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: WHILE SITTING IN SEAT AND LEANING BACK PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS FELL BACK, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT SEAT BACK UP, BUT IF CONTINUING TO LEAN IT WOULD COME BACK DOWN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN AN ANCIDENT.*AK *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-20
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G2HZ5134HW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, DOORS LOCKED DOWN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF INERIOR LIGHTS, CONTROL SWITCH SUNK/MELTED INTO DASH. DASH ABLAZE WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES, ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER. ESCAPED THROUGH OPEN WINDOW. VERY UNSAFE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-19
- VIN: 1G2HX5136HW
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHENEVER IN DRIVE AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IT WOULD REAR ENDED IT. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: PAINT ON CAR IS PEELING TERRIBLY. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G2HZ5431HW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE DIES OUT, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER ALSO NO STEERING. ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED WHICH TEMPORARY CORRECTED THE PROBELM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-01-01
- VIN: 1G2HZ5131HW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COLD STEERING. POWER STEERING DIES, DOES NOT WORK UNTIL ENGINE WARMS UP WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELLOW 40 DEGREES. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-07-26
- VIN: 1G2HX543XHW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING RACK FAILED.MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G2HZ513XHM
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COLD POWER STEERING.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-01
- VIN: 1G2HX5436HW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY (SINCE NEW) AND DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OR RESOLVE PROBLEM.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-01
- VIN: 1G2HZ5431HW
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHEN MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP, VEHICLE WILL STOP. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-11
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BATTERY LEAKS, CAUSING CORROSION.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G2HZ5433HW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: PURCHASE CAR USED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . TT CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING IS COLD IN THE AM AND PM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THE WHEEL IS HARD TO STEER UNTIL IT LOOSENS UP, AND THEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT IT LOCKS MOMENTARILY.*JB
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-03
- VIN: 1G2HZ5432HW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS. TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-12
- VIN: 1G2HX5439HW
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A PATICULAR DAY. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-23
- VIN: 1GZHX5439HW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. TT
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FRONT END PROBLEMS.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AW
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE PROBLEMS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-01-01
- VIN: 1G2HZ5436HW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-11
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE FREE FROM VEHICLE, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT. *TW
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-12-01
- VIN: 1G2HZ5437HW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-07-01
- VIN: 1G2HZ5438HW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: POWER PACK FAILED.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-18
- VIN: 1G2HZ5438HW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK PROPERLY.
1987 Pontiac Bonneville recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
- Summary: EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
- Consequence: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- Summary: AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
- Consequence: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- Summary: THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY OVERHEAT AT LOW BEAM CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP CIRCUIT.
- Consequence: HEADLAMP AND FOGLAMPS WOULD GO OUT SUDDENLY REDUCINGDRIVER VISIBILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: REVISE FOGLAMP CIRCUIT TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF HEADLAMP CIRCUIT.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems:
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