1996 Pontiac Bonneville problems
The 1996 Pontiac Bonneville has 181 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (24%) concerns engine. After that come air bags (15%) and fuel system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 181 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 11
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 110,000 miles 81 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 8 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 81 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 110,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 100,000 miles (27 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 11 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Bonneville with enough data (44 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving 30 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision , and seat belts did not restrain driver or passenger, both parties suffered major body injuries.
ABS brake system , applied the brakes and the pedal went the floor, impact 12:00 position, speed 35 MPH, applied the brakes on wet surface, complete loss of brakes. Hit one vehicle and knocked into another one.
When vehicle was involved in a low impact crash ( less than 25 MPH), the deployment of the driver's side air bag caused driver to become legally blinded in the right eye. The vehicle has been totalled.
Car was at aproximately 87000. Turned the car on, there was a loud explosion and smoke came out from under the hood, didnt see any flames, popped open the hood, and smoke just continued to pile out. Engine light came on, and the mechanic found the engine was on its last breath. Had engine relaced for a used engine with 4500 miles on it for $1500. Soon after the engine the alternator started to die, where just by standing next to the car you can hear metal to metal grinding noise coming from it.
Replaced plenum on 1996 pontiac bonneville three times. Last time was approximately at 87,000 miles. Faulty (plastic) part allowed antifreeze and oil to mix in the engine causing stalling (in the middle of a busy state road intersection, a safety hazard). The mixing of the fluids allows the engine to burn the antifreeze and by the time you realize anything you are overheated. This was the third time I had the same problem.