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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
163,570 miles · Oct 16, 2005
Air BagsInjury

ON THE EVENING THIS HAPPEN I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK. ABOUT ONE MINUTE BEFORE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THEN WENT OUT ... THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY FACE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE RO…

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ON THE EVENING THIS HAPPEN I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK. ABOUT ONE MINUTE BEFORE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THEN WENT OUT ... THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY FACE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ... AFTER CLEARING THE SMOKE FROM THE DEPLOYMENT I CHECKED THE CAR AND ALL SEEMED OK. I STARTED AGAIN FOR HOME WHICH AT THIS TIME WAS ABOUT 5 MILES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN AND BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED .. SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH. AT THIS TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH AT MY OWN EXPENSE ..WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE DONE OVER A LITTLE TIME .. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND AT LEAST 10 OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139830

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL ON FUEL INJECTION-INTAKE MANIFOLD PONTIAC COULD NOT TELL ME IF AND WHEN THIS REPAIR WAS EVER DONE AS THEIR SYSTEM DOESN'T GO BACK THAT FAR- I HAD THIS REPAIR DONE LAST YEAR AND TOLD THEM THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT 2 MANIFOLDS WOULD BE DEFECTIVE IN ONE CAR- THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USE…

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RECALL ON FUEL INJECTION-INTAKE MANIFOLD PONTIAC COULD NOT TELL ME IF AND WHEN THIS REPAIR WAS EVER DONE AS THEIR SYSTEM DOESN'T GO BACK THAT FAR- I HAD THIS REPAIR DONE LAST YEAR AND TOLD THEM THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT 2 MANIFOLDS WOULD BE DEFECTIVE IN ONE CAR- THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED- ALL I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS RECALL WAS USED ON MY CAR WHEN AND WERE THE REPAIRS WERE DONE- THEY COULDN'T TELL ME THIS INFO-- CAN YOU GET THIS INFO ?? THANKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137313

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. HE STATES THAT THERE WAS RECALL 96V116000 CONCERNING INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE ON J…

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DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. HE STATES THAT THERE WAS RECALL 96V116000 CONCERNING INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE ON JUNE 28, 2005, AND HAD THE UPPER MANIFOLD INTAKE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS A PRINT OUT FROM THE REPAIR SHOP THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAIL IN.*AK JB

NHTSA ODI #10127294

158,000 miles · Jul 31, 2005
Electrical System

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM. WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, DIRECTLY RELATED TO ENGINE NOT FIRING UP. ALSO AFFECTS DOOR CHIMES, SECURITY, SEAT CONTROLS, INTERIOR LIGHTING. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM, BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY, REPLACING IGNITION WIRES TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO WORSEN. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALER, SINC…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM. WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, DIRECTLY RELATED TO ENGINE NOT FIRING UP. ALSO AFFECTS DOOR CHIMES, SECURITY, SEAT CONTROLS, INTERIOR LIGHTING. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM, BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY, REPLACING IGNITION WIRES TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO WORSEN. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALER, SINCE LOCAL MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND INITIAL PROBLEMS. CAR DOES NOT RUN AT THIS TIME. I EVEN PUT ON A FUEL PUMP(WHICH DIDN'T NEED REPLACING) DUE TO SHUT OFF OF MOTOR. WHEN WINDOWS QUIT WORKING IT ALSO AFFECTS THE FUEL AND SPARK. WE THINK ITS IN THE COMPUTER AND/OR SECURITY SYSTEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130717

60,000 miles · May 10, 2005
Wheels

PURCHASED A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE NEW FROM DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 16: CHROME RIM PACKAGE. THE RIMS ARE ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION WITH CHROME PLATING. 2 YEAR AGO, THE RIMS BEGAN TO HAVE A CHRONIC LEAKING PROBLEM. ON MULTIPLE RIMS CORROSION WAS DEVELOPING ON THE INSIDE BEAD, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF SEAL AND PRESSURE LOSS. …

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PURCHASED A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE NEW FROM DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 16: CHROME RIM PACKAGE. THE RIMS ARE ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION WITH CHROME PLATING. 2 YEAR AGO, THE RIMS BEGAN TO HAVE A CHRONIC LEAKING PROBLEM. ON MULTIPLE RIMS CORROSION WAS DEVELOPING ON THE INSIDE BEAD, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF SEAL AND PRESSURE LOSS. TOOK TO GM DEALERSHIP, AT GM REQUEST AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE LEAK. TOOK IT TO NTB AND THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEM AND CLEANED RIM TO LAST APPROXIMATELY 9-12 MONTHS, BUT THEN THE CORROSION RESURFACES. SHOULD A CHROME PLATED ALUMINUM RIM HAVE CORROSION INTERNALLY? I DON'T THINK SO.

NHTSA ODI #10120535

121,200 miles · Apr 30, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

MY 1996 BONNEVILLE STARTED ACTING UP, ROUGHLY IDLING, AND HESITATING WHEN TAKING OFF. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, CAR WOULD SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT CHECKED. SCANNER IDICATED THAT IT HAD MULTIPLE MISFIRES, AND…

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MY 1996 BONNEVILLE STARTED ACTING UP, ROUGHLY IDLING, AND HESITATING WHEN TAKING OFF. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, CAR WOULD SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT CHECKED. SCANNER IDICATED THAT IT HAD MULTIPLE MISFIRES, AND THAT MY MAP SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED MAP SENSOR. STILL DIDNT CHANGE ON HOW THE VEHICLE OPERATED. REPLACED ONE OF COIL PACKS, STILL NOTHING. PUT NEW PLUG WIRES AND NOTHING CAHNED. NEW OXYGEN SENSOR INSTALLED, AND STILL NOTHING. CHANGES. OVER ALL I JUST GOT DONE SPENDING $150.00 ON THIS CAR AND I CANT EVEN AFFORD THAT, AND STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED BASICALLY EVERYTHING THAT THE COMPUTER CAME UP WITH. WHAT CAN I DO HERE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ME HURTING MY FINANCIAL STATUS, AND ME BLOWING THE CAR UP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118753

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2005
Air BagsElectrical System

WHILE IN PARK POSITION IGNITION KEY TURNED ON AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH CAUSE. WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOW HAD THE CAR IN TESTING FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO CONDUCT THE ACTUAL TEST. THEY HAVE TRANSFERRED OUT FILE TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. COST OF THE AIR BAG IS APPRO…

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WHILE IN PARK POSITION IGNITION KEY TURNED ON AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH CAUSE. WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOW HAD THE CAR IN TESTING FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO CONDUCT THE ACTUAL TEST. THEY HAVE TRANSFERRED OUT FILE TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. COST OF THE AIR BAG IS APPROXIMATELY $850.00. CONTROLS $870.00 PLUS DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD. COST TO EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT THE WINDSHIELD WAS APPROXIMATELY $400.00. WE APPARENTLY SHOULD HEAR FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN TWO DAYS. TIME TO ORDER THE AIRBAG IS 3-5 DAYS. NO ESTABLISHED TIME TO ACTUALLY DO THE REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116902

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2005
Air Bags

WHILE IN PARK DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF SOME SYSTEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116659

128,075 miles · Jan 30, 2005
Tires

I PURCHASED 4 CONTINENTAL TOURING TIES IN THE SPRING OF 2002. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN SETS OF 2, ONE MONTH APART. THREE OF THE TIRES FAILED THROUGH TREAD SEPARATION. I REPLACED THE FOURTH TIRE WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE TREAD TO SEPARATE ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108257

80,980 miles · Jan 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINES ON 1996 PONTIAC BONNIVILLE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND ALLOWED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT CAUSING CATASTROFIC LOSS OF BRAKING OF AUTOMOBILE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108168

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.