1988 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Common 1988 Pontiac Bonneville problems

The Pontiac Bonneville, manufactured from 1957 to 2005, underwent a significant redesign in 1987, transitioning from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. This shift coincided with a change in platform, from the G-body to the H-body, which it shared with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile 88. The 1987-1991 Bonneville was offered as a four-door sedan with a transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive layout.

Despite the redesign, the 1988 Pontiac Bonneville faced several common problems, primarily related to the engine and electrical systems, based on owner complaints.

• Engine Stalling: A significant number of 1988 Bonneville owners reported engine stalling issues, which were often attributed to the mass air flow sensor or crankshaft position sensor. These sensors play a crucial role in the engine management system, and malfunctions can lead to stalling or other driveability issues.

• Power Window Mechanism Failure: Many Pontiac vehicles, including the Bonneville, suffered from a defect in the power window mechanism, which was prone to breaking due to the use of cheap plastic parts. This issue resulted in complaints about the power window pulley assembly, which could lead to the need for expensive repairs or replacements.

• Starting and Ignition Problems: Some 1988 Bonneville owners reported difficulties starting their vehicles, which could be caused by a range of issues, including stale gas, timing gears jumping a tooth, or problems with the security system. These issues could result in the engine not starting or cranking properly, even with a good battery and fuel pressure.

In summary, the 1988 Pontiac Bonneville faced several common problems, primarily related to the engine and electrical systems. These issues included engine stalling, power window mechanism failure, and starting and ignition problems. While the Bonneville was a successful nameplate for Pontiac throughout the years, the 1988 model faced several challenges that could impact its reliability and overall owner satisfaction.

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.

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 ( ...

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 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.

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.

1988 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:

• Electrical system problems
• Seat belts problems
• Unknown or other problems
• Structure problems
• Fuel system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Pontiac Bonneville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.