1997 Pontiac Bonneville SE from North America - Comments

5000-Check engine light.

7500-Check engine light.

10000-Check engine light. Finally dealer replaced O2 sensor. No check engine since then.

14000-New Alternator.

50000-Slipping Transmission.

54000-Intake Manifold Leaking Coolant.

The 92-99 Bonnevilles are fairly reliable cars. However be advised they do have the potential for one ugly problem in particular. On the L36 (non-supercharged) engine the intake manifold is made out of composite. Over time, the <intake manifold> will probably start leaking externally or internally. Research this problem at other sites on the internet.

Right now our 97 has 54,000 miles on it and runs pretty good besides the leak (and probable eventual manifold failure) and a transmission slipping problem.

The car is paid off so it's a debate right now as to what to do; wait until these problems occur or trade the car in. I really don't want to trade the car in as I would hate to have someone else get the vehicle and have these pending issues. Will probably run it into the ground.

Would I buy another Bonneville? NO. It is a nice car for trips and "fairly" reliable. However, I'd probably go one way or the other and either (A) get a much less expensive car (Honda Civic) or (B) spend another $10,000 and get an import.

I'm writing about your manifold leak-beware! I had no indication this was happening until the car let me sit. It had 112,000 impeccably maintained miles. The manifolds were replaced after finding antifreeze all through the motor, then the check engine light came a few weeks later. The oxygen sensors and catalytic converter went because of the antifreeze. They were replaced. Then it let my wife sit a few weeks after that. It threw a bearing, diagnosed as probably due to the antifreeze throughout the motor. Least expensive estimate to replace the motor? $3700. Right now it's sitting in back of my house, where I parked it 2 months ago. Pontiac and the dealer have been less than helpful. Good luck on this one.

I also am the owner of a 97 bonneville and have really loved the car on rode trips. However there has developed one problem no one has been able to find. IT CUTS OFF.. this started about 1 1/2 yrs ago,we never know when it will cut off, sometimes while driving 60mph or just starting out the driveway... never anything common. The cars computer doesn't register any problems,NO CAUSE FOUND and the dealer as well as a private mechanic can't local the trouble and I would hate to unload this on anyone for safety reasons, if someone can help please send reply to j.stripli@att.net..

Well I just made the 54000 mile club with a 2000 Bonnie, it developed the same leek and this make the car to cut out at any speed. The dealer said that I found this problem just in time before thr leak mixed with the oil. I have had other problems replace a hub 4000 mile ago, the front end has been worked on two times. I have spent a great deal on money on repairs for a car that costed over $30,000 and is only 30 month old.

I love my 97 Pont Bonneville. at 60,000 miles my trans goes out. I called "Pontiac Cares" and they say there is nothing they can do. I was 700 miles from home and to leave my car in a GM garage while it is being fixed. I will not buy another GM car.