10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,273 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Nov 022015

Bonneville

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that while parked, the anti-theft and an unknown security warning lights illuminated and the vehicle required multiple attempts to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition lock cylinder was replaced and a new key made but the failure recurred. The contact mentioned that the horn and chime sounded uncontrollably. In addition, the radio failed to function. The interior lighting controls and the power door locking features failed intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 95V204000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #10

Oct 082014

Bonneville

  • 233,000 miles
Interior lighting system malfunction. Light's staying on when car is running and senors chimming for doors.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #9

Apr 012009

Bonneville

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that several attempts had to be made before succeeding in starting vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where the failure was located at the intake manifold and oxygen sensor. The intake manifold cap was melting and causing oil to spill. In addition, the failure was producing white smoke from the tailpipe exhaust. The vehicle was repaired but the contact was unsure as to the exact repairs made to the vehicle. The contact also stated that the anti-theft system failed and would alert the contact that the doors were opened, and the seat belts were not secured erroneously. The fuel injection system was also defective and was repaired by replacing the fuel injector, and adding fuel cleaner. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers: 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system) and 95V204000 (electrical system: Ignition: Anti-theft controller) however, the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in either recall campaign. The current mileage was 158,000. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #8

Feb 172010

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
This car belongs to my elderly mother which she bought used and has been an on going problem! occasionally when starting the car, the engine will backfire, after starting it would run ok. The car now does not run as the intake manifold is broken from the backfiring and almost caught on fire the last time it was attempted to start the motor! according to Pontiac there is no recall on this car by the VIN number!!

- Iola, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 282010

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
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.

- Emporia, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 292005

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles
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.

- West Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 012002

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The check engine light had come on. The intake manifold had to be replaced and there were problems with the electrical system. The electrical problems the consumer had were with the doors, the battery, seat belt warning light and the interior lights and the fuel pressure regulator was bad.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #4

Jan 162004

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Last weekend when I was driving my Pontiac Bonneville registration tag [xxx], NJ license plate has a [xxx] back door pops open accidentally. Surprisingly I call the GM dealer and found this vehicle is not equipped with door open warning. This feature is very common in very cheap basic cars, where as large big car is missing. Being a full size family sedan, I was expecting to see this type of basic safety warning system when this car has sunroof, antilock brakes, leather seats, traction control and climate control etc. It was good that my eleven-year kid had a safety belt on at time it had occurred. I do not want to same thing happen to other drivers and live in fear weather or not car is really locked or not. I am really not feeling comfortable to drive this vehicle with whole family. I appreciate your immediate help. Thanks, [xxx] updated 07/27/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Piscataway, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jul 262002

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
While driving at aprx 40mph the car lost all power, and the steering wheel locked up. This happened twice within 3 weeks. The brakes still worked, and it was a straight road so was able to stop the car without causing any accidents or injury. Stearing wheel and pedals shake between 65 and 75mph. Mechanic found that smaller bracket of the drive wheel has become loose. Replaced the bracket. Worked fine for about 2 weeks...then shaking started to come back...will be taking it to the mechanic again..

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #2

Feb 062002

Bonneville

  • miles
While driving and without warning, vehicle all of a sudden lost all power, consumer coasted to the side of the road and stopped, however consumer could not get out of the vehicle, the doors would not open, she could slide the door latch, but the lock would release, none of the power windows worked, consumer was informed that the doors were reprogrammed so they all open manually from the inside. Dealer found battery cables dirty and corroded.

- Latham, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 301998

(reported on)

Bonneville

  • miles
Vehicle experiences electrical problems. Sometimes when driving down the road all the interior lights come on and stay on. Also radio operates erratically.

- Washington, DC, USA