1997 Pontiac Bonneville
Introduction
The 1997 Pontiac Bonneville is a full-size sedan known for its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and powerful engine options. It was offered with a range of engine and transmission options, including a 3.8L V6 with a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 3.8L supercharged V6 with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Engine
3.8L V6
- No Issues Found
3.8L Supercharged V6
- Intake Manifold Clogged
- Description/Symptoms: Reduced engine power, rough idling, and increased fuel consumption.
- Solution: Replace the intake manifold.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800+
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Shifting Problems
- Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping or refusing to shift gears.
- Solution: Replace the transmission fluid and filter, or rebuild the transmission if necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,500+
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Worn Front Strut Bearings
- Description/Symptoms: Noisy suspension over bumps, clunking or rattling sounds.
- Solution: Replace the strut bearings.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Electrical Connector Corrosion
- Description/Symptoms: Electrical problems such as flickering lights, malfunctioning gauges, or power window issues.
- Solution: Clean or replace the corroded connectors.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Rust on Bumper Beam
- Description/Symptoms: Rust spots or holes developing on the front or rear bumper beam.
- Solution: Repair or replace the bumper beam.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Defective Airbag Deployment Sensor
- Description/Symptoms: Airbag failure to deploy in a crash.
- Solution: Replace the airbag deployment sensor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
- Recalls: NHTSA Campaign ID: 97V153000
Summary
Overall, the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville is a reliable vehicle with some common issues. The most significant concerns are the intake manifold clogging on the 3.8L supercharged V6 and shifting problems with the 4-speed automatic transmission. These issues can be expensive to fix but are not widespread. Other issues, such as suspension noise or rust on the bumper beam, are relatively minor and less costly to repair.