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1996 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
99,999 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Air BagsInjury

MY SON WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN HIS 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, JUST AS HIS WAS GETTING READY TO PROCEED, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HE HADN'T EVEN PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, INSURANCE APPRAISER, APPRAISED THE DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF $2000 AND COME TO FIND OUT THEY WON'T COVER IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR …

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MY SON WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN HIS 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, JUST AS HIS WAS GETTING READY TO PROCEED, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HE HADN'T EVEN PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, INSURANCE APPRAISER, APPRAISED THE DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF $2000 AND COME TO FIND OUT THEY WON'T COVER IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT, THEY SAY IT'S A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE, HE RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON HIS ARM FROM THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10372273

43,000 miles · Oct 29, 2010
Electrical System

96 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.WHILE PARKED AT RESIDENCE VEHICLE WENT INTO SECURITY LOCK MODE AND WONT ALLOW VEHICLE TO START. ALL ADVICE FROM INDIVIDUALS TO "RESET" SECURITY FAILED. ONLY OPTION LEFT IS TO TOW TO LOCAL DEALER FOR SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362953

97,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 10 MPH OR WHILE SITTING IDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER WINDOWS, SEATS AND FUEL PUMP WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE AS WELL. THE CONTACT WOULD RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND ONCE FULLY CHARGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 10 MPH OR WHILE SITTING IDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER WINDOWS, SEATS AND FUEL PUMP WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE AS WELL. THE CONTACT WOULD RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND ONCE FULLY CHARGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE IGNITION ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V204000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER), HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10318873

122,097 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE PLASTIC MANIFOLD IN ENGINE FROM MANUFACTURE BROKE CAUSING DEX COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE DESTROYING SEALS/HEAD GASKETS. REPLACE AT DEALER GASKET,GASKET KIT,VALVE,VALVE KIT,UPPER MANIFOLD, LOWER MANIFOLD RESEAL,COOLANT. DEALER DOES NOT HONOR RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318090

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

NO INCIDENTS BUT THERE IS DAMAGE DONE TO THE FUEL , EMISSION AND BRAKE LINE THE FUEL AND EMISSION LINES FROM THE FUEL TANK USE A PLASTIC QUICK CONNECT COUPLING JUST UNDERNEATH NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE . THE COUPLING BECOMES LOSE AND SPRAYS THE FUEL LINES AND BRAKE HOSES WITH FUEL THIS WASHES OFF THE PROTECTIVE LAY…

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NO INCIDENTS BUT THERE IS DAMAGE DONE TO THE FUEL , EMISSION AND BRAKE LINE THE FUEL AND EMISSION LINES FROM THE FUEL TANK USE A PLASTIC QUICK CONNECT COUPLING JUST UNDERNEATH NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE . THE COUPLING BECOMES LOSE AND SPRAYS THE FUEL LINES AND BRAKE HOSES WITH FUEL THIS WASHES OFF THE PROTECTIVE LAYER OF THE HOSES WHICH THEN CORRODE AND LEAK FUEL AND BRAKE FLUID , THIS HAPPENED ON MY 1996 BONNEVILLE CAN ANYONE EMAIL ME IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR THAT REASON OR IF I AM ENTITLED TO REPAIRS BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282441

200,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10268518

269,400 miles · Jan 22, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I PUT GAS INTO MY 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WENT TO START IT AND IT BACKFIRED AND STARTED RUNNING RAGGED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256047

166,000 miles · Dec 7, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFire

WHEN I PURCHASED MY 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSE USED I SEARCHED FOR ANY RECALLS ON IT I FOUND 2 ONE FOR THE INTAKE BREAKING AND ONE FOR THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM I TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE NOW I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH BACKFIRING CONSTANTLY AND HAVE EVEN CALLED PONTIAC HELP LINE WHERE I WAS…

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WHEN I PURCHASED MY 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSE USED I SEARCHED FOR ANY RECALLS ON IT I FOUND 2 ONE FOR THE INTAKE BREAKING AND ONE FOR THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM I TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE NOW I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH BACKFIRING CONSTANTLY AND HAVE EVEN CALLED PONTIAC HELP LINE WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT VALID AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS AND MY WIFE THIS MORNING WENT TO THE STORE WHERE THE CAR BACKFIRED AND THE INTAKE EXPLODED INTO SEVERAL PIECES AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE ISSUED FROM UNDER THE HOOD NOW THIS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY COST ME A SMALL FORTUNE TO REPAIR WHAT AM I TO DO NOW? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250975

93,495 miles · Dec 5, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED SEVERELY. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE PLASTIC COVER WAS SHATTERED. HE REMOVED THE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED SEVERELY. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE PLASTIC COVER WAS SHATTERED. HE REMOVED THE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) PERTAINING TO THE SAME FAILURE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE RECALL. THE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER THAN TEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,495. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250857

170,000 miles · Oct 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

AROUND JAN 2008 WHILE DRIVING A PLASTIC WATER HOSE BURST. I REPLACED IT AND HAD NO OTHER PROBLEM UNTIL AROUND AUG 2008. THIS TIME THE WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING. I REPLACED THAT AND THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP, BUT I STILL KEPT LOOSING COOLANT. THEN I FOUND A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH I REPLACE AROUND THE END OF AUG 2008. …

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AROUND JAN 2008 WHILE DRIVING A PLASTIC WATER HOSE BURST. I REPLACED IT AND HAD NO OTHER PROBLEM UNTIL AROUND AUG 2008. THIS TIME THE WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING. I REPLACED THAT AND THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP, BUT I STILL KEPT LOOSING COOLANT. THEN I FOUND A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH I REPLACE AROUND THE END OF AUG 2008. I STILL KEPT HAVING TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT RESERVOIR EVER TWO DAYS. ABOUT JUNE 2008 I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VEH STARTING, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR FLOODING. IT WOULD BE RUNNING BUT BARLEY AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. FINALLY IT WOULD START. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT IT'S DOING IT MORE OFTEN NOW. I'VE FUEL SYSTEM AND INJECTION CLEANERS WITH NO CHANGE. THEN I WENT TO NHTSA AND FOUND A RECALL 96V-116 THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERS AND THEY SAID THAT MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY DO. I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD BRING BACK TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244906

Official recalls

2

96V116000 · 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

2

EA02030 · 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.