Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1998 vs 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 49.3% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1998 274 complaints 1999 139 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1998 share 1999 share Share change
ENGINE 66.1% 36.0% ▼ 30.1 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6.9% 13.0% ▲ 6.0 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 10.2% 15.1% ▲ 4.9 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 1.1% 5.8% ▲ 4.7 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 1.8% 5.0% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 2.2% ▲ 2.2 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 0.4% 2.2% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 1.4% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 2.9% 4.3% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.1% 2.2% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.8% 2.9% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.7% not reported ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS not reported 0.7% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.2% 2.9% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
STEERING 1.8% 1.4% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 68.3% 69.1% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 2

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1999 4

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and POWER TRAIN

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
28 → 9
◆ Injuries
7 → 6