RoadVitals

1995 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
244
Latest Mar 1, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 2, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 244 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 244 · page 1 of 10

Body & structureBrakesEngine
Filed Mar 1, 2021
Crash reported

I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY

NHTSA ID
11398467
Incident
Feb 23, 2021
Mileage
168,445 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 8, 2017

THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE INTERNALLY IN THE CABLE GUIDE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD. NOT JUST FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, BUT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE CABLE IS ROUTED BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE CORE SUPPORT. TYE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD IS TO PRY IT UP DAMAGING THE HOOD, THE UPPER CORE SUPPORT, AND POSSIBLY THE CONDENSOR.

NHTSA ID
11032225
Incident
Oct 6, 2017
Mileage
187,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2016

1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE MY STSERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE THEN WHEN DRIVING HOME I TURNED THE CORNER GOING RIGHT MY LOWER SUB FRAME DROPPED OUT FROM RUSTED BOLTS AND LOST ALL CONTROL! NO STEERING AT ALL. STILL SHAKING.CAN'T BELIEVE THERES A RECALL FOR HEADLIGHTS RECALL BUT NO STEERING URECALL .I CALLED PONTIAC AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT . FOR NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BUT WHAT IF WAS MY LIFE AND NOT MONEY I LOST.THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THE POLICE HAD TO COME AND DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND MY CAR WHILE I SAT THERE SHAKING.

NHTSA ID
10896899
Incident
Aug 16, 2016
Mileage
152,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING IN OCTOBER OF 2005. MANY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT, NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL MORE FREQUENTLY. UPDATED 10/21/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10691586
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2014

CRUISING ON THE MASS. TURNPIKE AT 68MPH ON A RAINY NIGHT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. THE BAG SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD, BLEW THE MOONROOF UP AND BENT THE RAILS. WHEN SHRAPNEL AND DUST SETTLED, THE DRIVER BAG WENT OFF. I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 17 YEARS AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10644151
Incident
Oct 4, 2014
Mileage
130,700 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Oct 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME CRACKED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CORRODED SWITCH IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER CONSIDERED THE FAILURE POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUG WAS WET BECAUSE THE MOONROOF MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 9/29/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10643126
Incident
Oct 4, 2014
Mileage
131,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 9, 2013

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN REVERSE TO MAKE THE TURN WENT DOWN A WAYS CAME TO A STOP SIGN AS I PROCEEDED IT SOUNDED A S THOUGH I HIT SOMETHING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FLIMSY I COULDN'T STEER AT ALL IT JUST KEPT GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES SO I STOPPED THE CAR A POLICE OFFICER CAME I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK LONG STORY SHORT THE BUSHING MUST HAVE FELL OFF BECAUSE IT WAS SO ROTTED WHICH IN TURN THE K FRAME BROKE AND THE MOTOR DROPPED DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10511229
Incident
May 3, 2013
Mileage
137,845 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 11, 2013
1 injury reported

DRIVING 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CRASH, VIOLENT EXPLOSION, DASH CAME APART, BREAKING AND BOWING OUT PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. PREGNANT PASSENGER WAS INJURED BY AIR BAG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502358
Incident
Mar 9, 2013
Mileage
134,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,705.

NHTSA ID
10402986
Incident
May 16, 2011
Mileage
143,705 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 4, 2011

1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AT ANY SPEED, USUALLY DURING WARMER WEATHER, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THE CAR USUALLY WOULD NOT START FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, STRANDING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE REPLACED A "FUNCTIONING" YET DEFECTIVE TPS (THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR) THAT DID NOT MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT OF REGISTERING A CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10394113
Incident
Apr 3, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2010

IN FEBRUARY 2010, DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ON BUMPY BLACKTOP, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER CAR CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TOWED FROM SCENE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT 4 (REAR) OF 6 BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE CRADLE TO UNI-BODY FRAME PULLED THROUGH RUSTED RETAINERS. ALL (6) BOLTS, RETAINERS, SPACERS AND INSULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS REATTACHED AND THE CLOCK SPRING COIL KIT WAS REPLACED (CLOCK SPRING WAS TORN WHEN STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED). THIS INCIDENT CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED. TOWING, REPAIRS AND PARTS COST $805.14. 4 MONTHS LATER THE STEERING RACK WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $450. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RETAINED BUT PHOTOS OF THE BOLTS IN THE FRAME WITH THE ENGINE SUB FRAME HANGING ARE AVAILABLE. NATURALLY THE RETAINERS THAT FAILED ARE GONE BECAUSE THEY FELL OFF WHEN THEY FAILED. THE ENGINE DID NOT FALL ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 2 FRONT BOLTS WERE STILL INTACT AND THE UPPER ENGINE MOUNT HELD THE ENGINE SUB FRAME 2" ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352248
Incident
Feb 15, 2010
Mileage
139,600 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 15, 2010

FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS JOINT WELDS BREAK LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE STARTS AND THE AIRBAG MODULE SHORTS OUT AND CAN BLOW ANYTIME THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR LOOKED INTO AFTER I SENT IN COMPLIANT NOW SOME KID RIDING IN RAIN HAD HIS BLOW OUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES AND THEY WANTED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FOR $600 ???? ARE THEY CRAZY MY WHITE PAINT ALSO PEELED BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. SO I HAVE A SHORTED OUT MODULE LEAK IN MY FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS AND A TWO COLORED CAR THEY SHOULD GO BANKRUPT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10349485
Incident
May 1, 2000
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2010
1 injury reported

MY AIR BAGS BLEW UP ON ME DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE RAIN AND PONTIAC SAID ITS A BAD SPOT ON THEE CAR AND THEY WANT TO BUY IT BACK FOR 600 FROM ME PLUS I HAVE 2500 IN CHIROPRACTOR BILLS AND A WINDOW TO REIMBURSE MY PARENTS THAT HELP ME I HAVE NO AIR BAGS AND I FILL SAFE WITH OUT THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10344509
Incident
Apr 21, 2010
Mileage
230,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 15, 2009

I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND WAS TAKING A RIGHT ON TO A MAIN STREET, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE REAR BODY FRAME SUSPENSION ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DROP, CAUSING THE STEERING LINKAGE TO DISCONNECT, LEAVING ME WITH 0 STEERING CAPABILITY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATING, THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AROUND THE BUSHING AND BOLTS HOLDING UP THE SUSPENSION. THIS IN TURN, PULLED THE STEERING LINKAGE OUT FROM THE STEERING COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10276842
Incident
Jul 11, 2009
Mileage
217,565 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2009
2 injuries reported

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, NOT EVEN IN GEAR, A MINUTE OR SO LATER THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED GM TO FIND OUT WHY. GM HAD ME AT MY EXPENSE TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEIR INSPECTOR INVESTIGATE. THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT WATER HAD DAMAGED THE WIRING IN THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS. GM CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND OFFERED TO ASSIST BY REPURCHASING MY VEHICLE AT APROX 1/3 ITS CURRANT MARKET VALUE! THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANY OF THE PAPERWORK AND I AM VERY ANGRY!!! MY CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266581
Incident
Mar 25, 2009
Mileage
191,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. ON APPROXIMATELY FIVE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SWITCH. DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THE SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE TAIL LIGHTS, BACKUP LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ALL STOPPED WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V190000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
10266238
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 2, 2009

MY NEIGHBOR AND I WERE DRIVING ALONG.................WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING, THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED FROM DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF MY PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SEDAN.........FRONT WINDSHIELD DAMAGED DUE TO AIR BAG BEING DEPLOYED. MUST BE REPLACED. NO INJURIES.........WE ARE SORE FROM THIS INCIDENT............HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT GENERAL MOTORS MUST KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260497
Incident
Mar 2, 2009
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2008

FAILURE OF THE PLENUM, INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249945
Incident
Nov 15, 1999
Mileage
57,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. SPORADICALLY, THE HEAD LAMPS FAIL, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A SERIOUS CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LAMPS COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF OR WOULD ACTIVATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER AND THE INABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V190000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. ALSO, THE PAINT IS ABNORMALLY CHIPPING ON VARIOUS PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
10244951
Incident
Jul 7, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 24, 2008

HEADLIGHTS ON 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI WILL NOT TURN OFF. THEY ARE TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF WITHOUT UNHOOKING THE BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225629
Incident
Apr 24, 2008
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2008

CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START BUT 99% OF TIME CAR HAS TO SIT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL START. IF CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN YOU TRY TO START IT BACK UP IT WON'T START. DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF ANYONE COULD LET ME KNOW HOW TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224773
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 13, 2008

AIR BAG AND POWER DOOR LOCK MODULES SHORT OUT WITH PUDDLE OF WATER UNDER FRONT SEATS CAUSED BY LEAKS IN WINDSHIELD SEALS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224362
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2008
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY, BUT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE CONTACT INJURED HER LEFT HAND. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM GMC WITHIN 48 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,060.

NHTSA ID
10221781
Incident
Mar 19, 2008
Mileage
133,060 mi
AirbagsBody & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jul 14, 2007

1) DEFECTIVE PRIMER CAUSING WHITE EXTERIOR PAINT TO PEEL ON THE WHOLE SURFACE OF CAR 2) LEAK IN WIELD AROUND WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN POWER DOOR LOCKS AND ALSO AIRBAG MODULE UNDER DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10196349
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Jul 9, 2007

TAIL LIGHTS, BACKUP LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE FAULT WA S THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WHICH HAD A RECALL ISSUED. PONTIAC WAS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL 94V190000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH LIGHTING CONTROL MODULES WHICH CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT LEAKAGE DUE TO DAMAGED SURFACE MOUNTING CAPACITORS. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND PARKING LAMPS. CONSEQUENCE: SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLAMPS CAN CAUSE REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE HEAD LAMPS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF, OR THEY MAY TURN ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND INABILITY TO RESTART THE CAR. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP MODULE. NOTES: SYSTEM: LIGHTING; HEAD LIGHTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TWILIGHT SENTINEL LIGHTS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. *AK

NHTSA ID
10195919
Incident
May 21, 2007
Mileage
187,799 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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