MYRModel Year Report

1996 Pontiac Bonneville

● Typical for this model
1996 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:52:04.823Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
150
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 150 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 150 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1992 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1996 150 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1998 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1996: 150 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19830
19841
19851
19863
198719
198817
198928
199039
199122
1992116
1993138
199489
1995244
1996150
1997147
1998277
1999143
2000214
2001129
200289
200354
200428
200527

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

32% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that several attempts had to be made before succeeding in starting vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-28

Also filed under Electrical system and fuel/propulsion system

Engine backfires at start up, resulting in an engine fire. Referenced in EA02-030

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-04-24

Air bags

18% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving about 45 MPH air bags deployed. The vehicle did not hit anything.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-10

While driving, the vehicle air bags deployed without impact. *nlm then 20 feet down the road the passenger air bag deployed, tearing apart the dashboard and windshield.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-27

The consumer was in a head-on collision and the driver side air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-18

Electrical system

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing switch and horn.

FIRE

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Ref: NHTSA recall #96V116000, fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system. Previously I attempted to crank the 1996 Bonneville and it made a loud noise like a shotgun being fired.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-22

Structure

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing door and trunk lid.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1995-09-22Electrical system95V204000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1996-07-08Fuel system, gasoline96V116000 A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2002-06-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-22 Engine compartment fires
  4. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  5. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V204000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 96V116000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.