IllustrationTHE SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH CAME WITH VEHICLE PREVENTED DRIVER FROM STARTING OR RESTARTING VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SOME TIME. WOULD FINALLY START VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR SECURITY PROBLEMS. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
1996 Pontiac Bonneville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bonneville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
325–50K
750–75K
1175–100K
26100–150K
14150K+
63 reports with mileage · 87 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports7 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
150 reportsTRUNK LID OPENS ON ITS OWN AND SYSTEM MONITOR DOES NOT INDICATE IT IS OPEN, OR IF DOORS ARE AJAR. *AK
GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. YH
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED VACUUM HOSE TO THE FUEL TANK LEAD TO FLEXING OF THE FUEL TANK. OVER TIME THE FLEXING WEAKED THE METAL AND CAUSE THE TANK TO CRACK WHEREIN IT DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK.
TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. CAR MADE LOUD WHINING/GRINDING NOISES, JERKED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. OTHER CARS SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ME. ONCE STOPPED AND IN PARK I TRIED TO PROCEED. THE DASH SHOWED THE CAR IN GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY DRIVE OR REVERSE GEARS. HAD CAR BRO…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. CAR MADE LOUD WHINING/GRINDING NOISES, JERKED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. OTHER CARS SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ME. ONCE STOPPED AND IN PARK I TRIED TO PROCEED. THE DASH SHOWED THE CAR IN GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY DRIVE OR REVERSE GEARS. HAD CAR BROUGHT HOME AND TOWED TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. IT HAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY GONE INTO NEUTRAL BRIEFLY WHILE DRIVING BUT THERE WAS NEVER A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT.
2 FRONT WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS SEE NHTSA ID#: 99V072000. *AK
ENGINE KNOCKS. DEALER HAS PUT TWO ENGINES IN VEHICLE, AND PROBLEM STILLS EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE INNER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 15 MPH LOW IMPACT COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DASH AREA. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK WHICH SHOWED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO MULTISTATE TRANSMISSION - 3850 HEMPHILL ST. - FORT WORTH, TX 76110 PHONE #(817)921-6155. THEY DID A COMPUTER CHECK ON IT WHICH SHOWED IT WAS SLIPPING AT ABOUT 35/40 MPH. THEY TOOK OFF THE…
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THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK WHICH SHOWED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO MULTISTATE TRANSMISSION - 3850 HEMPHILL ST. - FORT WORTH, TX 76110 PHONE #(817)921-6155. THEY DID A COMPUTER CHECK ON IT WHICH SHOWED IT WAS SLIPPING AT ABOUT 35/40 MPH. THEY TOOK OFF THE PAN, SAW SLUDGE LOOKING STUFF IN IT AND BURNED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY HAD TO GO INTO THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO REBUILD THE TORQUE CONVERTER, REPLACE A LARGE NUMBER OF PARTS, INCLUDING A SPRAG KIT, CHAIN ROCKER JOINT, BAND REVERSE MAJI, SPROCKET STUFF, ETC.
Official recalls
296V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Jul 1, 1996
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
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.
95V204000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module
Oct 23, 1995
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.