Model year record

1996 Pontiac Bonneville

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 181 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Bonneville, 1992–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1999 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V116000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
275,811
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V204000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
32,869
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-23
Owners notified
1995-09-22

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags12118,000 mi
Air bags: frontal12150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe12100,000 mi
Electrical system11125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1163,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine8115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system793,495 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5144,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system487,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline4170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings4115,856 mi
Structure4121,684 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)387,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Structure: body: door3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Air bags: side/window2125,566 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2105,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch297,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2121,200 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system2—
Fuel/propulsion system255,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2—
Seats2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device285,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Tires: tread/belt2128,075 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer274,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1102,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator187,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1—
Electrical system: wiring1121,200 mi
Engine1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Equipment1121,200 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1233,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights174,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings180,980 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1115,856 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body170,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield1121,684 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim160,000 mi

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Pontiac Bonneville model years

All Pontiac Bonneville recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.