Model year guide

1998 Pontiac Bonneville

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Pontiac Bonneville at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints299
Combined19–20 mpg
Typical price$730

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville recalls 2

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery NHTSA Campaign #04V090000 · 24/02/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-6…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville common problems

Owners have filed 299 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville MPG & running costs

Combined19–20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$730
High
$1,100

From 5 comparable 1998 Pontiac Bonneville listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250
Fuel only$17,250
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Pontiac Bonneville trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · SLE
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

1998 Pontiac Bonneville vehicles on record

1998 Pontiac Bonneville 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K1W4236351 1998 Pontiac Bonneville 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K5W4222002 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SLE1G2HX52KXW4206541 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K4WH201912 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K3W4222905 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K2W4210731 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE1G2HX52K8W4233351

Other Pontiac Bonneville model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1996 1995 1994 1992 1990

1998 Pontiac Bonneville — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville?

Owners have filed 299 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine, engine and engine cooling, steering.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville get?

The 1998 Pontiac Bonneville has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville worth?

Comparable 1998 Pontiac Bonneville listings run roughly $500–$1,100, typically around $730 (from 5 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.