MYRModel Year Report

1996 Pontiac Bonneville

● Typical for this model
1996 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:51:22.559Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Bonneville Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 1 complaints 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 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%

32% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 48 distinct reports on file, 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, 20120628

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, 19970424

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030710

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, 20030627

THE CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960318

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and horn.

FIRE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%

13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 19 distinct reports on file, 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, 20030422

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and trunk lid.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19950922 — electrical system

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 AN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Campaign 95V204000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960708 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 96V116000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V204000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 1995 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.