EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1996 Pontiac Bonneville
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 150 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 44 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2002 | 2 | 52 |
| Mar 2002 | 3 | 55 |
| Apr 2002 | 2 | 57 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 58 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 59 |
| Nov 2002 | 2 | 61 |
| Dec 2002 | 2 | 63 |
| Jan 2003 | 2 | 65 |
| Mar 2003 | 4 | 69 |
| Apr 2003 | 3 | 72 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 73 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 74 |
| Jul 2003 | 5 | 79 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 80 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 81 |
| Oct 2003 | 4 | 85 |
| Dec 2003 | 2 | 87 |
| Jan 2004 | 6 | 93 |
| Feb 2004 | 3 | 96 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 98 |
| Apr 2004 | 3 | 101 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 102 |
| Jun 2004 | 2 | 104 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 105 |
| Sep 2004 | 2 | 107 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 108 |
| Jan 2005 | 4 | 112 |
| Apr 2005 | 3 | 115 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 116 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 117 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 118 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 119 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 120 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 121 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 122 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 123 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 124 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 125 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 126 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 127 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 128 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 129 |
| May 2008 | 1 | 130 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 131 |
| Dec 2008 | 2 | 133 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 134 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 135 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 136 |
| Mar 2010 | 2 | 138 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 139 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 140 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 141 |
| Sep 2011 | 2 | 143 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 144 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 145 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 146 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 147 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 148 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 149 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 150 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine4425.4%
- Airbags2715.6%
- Fuel system2514.5%
- Electrical2112.1%
- Body & structure105.8%
- Transmission74.0%
- Brakes74.0%
- Steering74.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,474.
- NHTSA ID
- 10823959
- Incident
- Jan 28, 2016
- Mileage
- 151,474 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE ANTI-THEFT AND AN UNKNOWN SECURITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE REQUIRED MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND A NEW KEY MADE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN AND CHIME SOUNDED UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V204000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10810090
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2015
- Mileage
- 125,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE IMPACT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 1/28/15*CN UPDATED 9/6/2017*CN
- NHTSA ID
- 10658926
- Incident
- Nov 14, 2014
- Mileage
- 110,000 mi
INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. LIGHT'S STAYING ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND SENORS CHIMMING FOR DOORS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10643829
- Incident
- Oct 8, 2014
- Mileage
- 233,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CHIMED BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10577244
- Incident
- Mar 7, 2011
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE SUCCEEDING IN STARTING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OXYGEN SENSOR. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAP WAS MELTING AND CAUSING OIL TO SPILL. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WAS PRODUCING WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE AS TO THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED AND WOULD ALERT THE CONTACT THAT THE DOORS WERE OPENED, AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT SECURED ERRONEOUSLY. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE FUEL INJECTOR, AND ADDING FUEL CLEANER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) AND 95V204000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10463433
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2009
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
THIS CAR BELONGS TO MY ELDERLY MOTHER WHICH SHE BOUGHT USED AND HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM! OCCASIONALLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE WILL BACKFIRE, AFTER STARTING IT WOULD RUN OK. THE CAR NOW DOES NOT RUN AS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BROKEN FROM THE BACKFIRING AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE THE LAST TIME IT WAS ATTEMPTED TO START THE MOTOR! ACCORDING TO PONTIAC THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR BY THE VIN NUMBER!! *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10458548
- Incident
- Feb 17, 2010
- Mileage
- 55,000 mi
I LEFT MY HOUSE ON 9/10/2011 AND WENT TO GAS STATION. AFTER FUELING UP I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DID NOT PULL OVER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A SENSOR PROBLEM AND I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING TO PULL OVER FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I REACHED 57 MPH I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY VISIBILITY WAS 0%. IF I HAD NOT HAD BOTH OF MY FRONT WINDOWS DOWN, THE POWDER THAT ENGULFED MY CAR COULD HAVE SUFFOCATED ME. I AM ON BREATHING MEDICINE FOR COPD. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS UP THERE IN YEARS IT IS NOT UP THERE IN MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE 4 YEARS AGO, WHO ONLY USED THE CAR ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD 58,000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY HAS 91,500 TODAY. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM START TO FINISH.
- NHTSA ID
- 10426111
- Incident
- Sep 10, 2011
- Mileage
- 91,500 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 37.3 |
| 2004 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 36.5 |
| 2003 | 54 | 2 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2002 | 89 | 2 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 129 | 0 | 2 | 49.3 |
| 2000 | 214 | 2 | 3 | 59.0 |
| 1999 | 143 | 4 | 4 | 62.0 |
| 1998 | 277 | 2 | 2 | 61.6 |
| 1997 | 147 | 2 | 2 | 59.3 |
| 1996Viewing | 150 | 3 | 2 | 60.6 |
| 1995 | 244 | 1 | 0 | 44.4 |
| 1994 | 88 | 0 | 0 | 43.4 |
| 1993 | 138 | 1 | 1 | 51.5 |
| 1992 | 113 | 3 | 2 | 62.7 |
| 1991 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 51.6 |
| 1990 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 1989 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 49.5 |
| 1988 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 54.8 |
| 1987 | 19 | 4 | 8 | 62.2 |
| 1986 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — |
| 1985 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.