Model year record

1996 Pontiac Bonneville

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

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.

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.