Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
94V190000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 06/01/1994 to 07/01/1994V (Vehicle)199710/20/1994MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/04/199410/18/1994
Defect SummaryThese vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. this can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps.
Consequence SummarySudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they may turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the headlamp module.
NotesSystem: lighting; head lights.vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights.note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the remedy does not correct the defect, please contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
48810412/01/199437948Headlamps will not turn off on vehicles with twilight sentinel daytime running lamps. *tw02/09/1995

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
04/15/2008120000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1995 pontiac bonneville. on approximately five occasions, the contact has had to change the instrument panel switch. during the first occurrence, the tail lights stopped working and the switch was repaired. during the second occurrence, the tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and instrument panel lights all stopped working simultaneously. the dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 94v190000 (exterior lighting:headlights). the failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 145,000.
02/18/2005102000110/01/2003
 I called botnick chevrolet in binghamton ny. told them the make and vin of my vehicle (1995 pontiac bonneville). i recently lost my interior lights because of the dimmer switch and i am concerned know about my wife losing the head lamps while driving. botnick informed me that there are no recalls on this vehicle and i found this information on your site (ref. nhtsa id 94v190000). vin: 1g2hx52k2s4215325 . thanks in advance for your consideration.*ak chris clapper
06/15/20031000003
 While driving smoke came out of the dashboard. headlight switch and bracket were burned. interior lights, headlights, and parking lights stopped functioning. owner has made an appointment with the dealer for repairs.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS
07/01/19951
 Back up lights inoperative. *sd
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS - SWITCH
05/21/2007187799605/21/2007
 Tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and dash lights did not work. the fault wa s the lighting control module which had a recall issued. pontiac was not willing to repair the vehicle under the recall 94v190000 concerning headlight failure. these vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. this can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps. consequence: sudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they may turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car. remedy: dealers will replace the headlamp module. notes: system: lighting; head lights. vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights. note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the remedy does not correct the defect, please contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
05/21/2007187799605/21/2007
 Tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and dash lights did not work. the fault wa s the lighting control module which had a recall issued. pontiac was not willing to repair the vehicle under the recall 94v190000 concerning headlight failure. these vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. this can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps. consequence: sudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they may turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car. remedy: dealers will replace the headlamp module. notes: system: lighting; head lights. vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights. note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the remedy does not correct the defect, please contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - FOG LIGHTS
05/21/2007187799605/21/2007
 Tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and dash lights did not work. the fault wa s the lighting control module which had a recall issued. pontiac was not willing to repair the vehicle under the recall 94v190000 concerning headlight failure. these vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. this can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps. consequence: sudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they may turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car. remedy: dealers will replace the headlamp module. notes: system: lighting; head lights. vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights. note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the remedy does not correct the defect, please contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
04/24/2008010/15/1998
 Headlights on 1995 pontiac bonneville ssei will not turn off. they are turning on by themselves and will not shut off without unhooking the battery. *tr
05/21/2007187799605/21/2007
 Tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and dash lights did not work. the fault wa s the lighting control module which had a recall issued. pontiac was not willing to repair the vehicle under the recall 94v190000 concerning headlight failure. these vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. this can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps. consequence: sudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they may turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car. remedy: dealers will replace the headlamp module. notes: system: lighting; head lights. vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights. note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the remedy does not correct the defect, please contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. *ak
09/21/2006122000109/14/2006
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph at dawn on normal road conditions, the head lights switch was turned off, but the headlights remained illuminated. there was no warning signal to indicate a defect. when driven back to the contact's residence at night, the head lights failed to turn off again. the lighting control module overheated so the contact disconnected the battery, but before doing so the lights turned off twenty minutes after the vehicle was turned off. the manufacturer was contacted, and indicated that the vin # was not affected in the recall # 94v190000 and instructed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnosis.
1730001
 The consumer was unable to turn the headlights off. the consumer had to remove the fuses in order to get the headlights to out. please provide further details. *jb
01/10/2003109/30/1994
 My headlights would not turn off. i had to unhook the battery. i saw on the internet there was a recall on my headlights . my husband called pontiac and agresta, the dealer, and they both said there was no recall. could you look into this for me. all i want is the dealer(service) to replace the headlamp module. *jb
01/01/2095
 Headlights go out without warning. *ak
10/24/2000210/17/1995
 Headlights go out while driving. sometimes when the lights are on consumer can't turn them off. also, vehicle is on its third battery. *ak *tt
06/01/2001
 Headlights will come on at random with vehicle's power shut off. consumer was informed that his vehicle was not included in recall 94v190000. dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
07/01/1999305/01/1995
 The headlights will no go off when the twilight sentinel is used. the only way to get the headlights off is to disconnect the battery cable. the same year/make/model car was recalled for the same thing with manufacter dates of 6/94 -7/94. mine was manufactered in 11/94 and i feel it is the same problem. i can no longer use the twilight sentinel for fear of this happening again, or worse, the lights going out while driving. there have been many problems with this car from the beginning including replacing three air conditioning compressors, fuel pump, and transmission. my family's safety is a very important issue with me and this car has jeopardized that safety too many times. *ak
10/01/1999109/01/1995
 Defective head light control module caused total loss of head lights. yh
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - CONCEALMENT DEVICES
10/12/2002
 When driving at night the vehicles headlights go out. consumer states' the vehicle has to sit with engine off for a couple of minutes till lights come back on. please provide any further information. ts
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
05/04/200414607503/09/1995
 Headlight control switch, acdelco/part # d1522e defective. *ak
01/12/200188500103/01/1995
 Headlight dimmer switch defective causing dash board lights and tail lights not to function. in addition, the malfunction switch caused an electric meltdown of the pig tail connector going into the switch. i had to replace both the switch and pigtail connectors. in my opinion, this is a safety hazard. i have also noticed that a few other complaints of this problem had been reported. my warranty has expired and had to pay the cost of the installation of the switch. there should be a mandatory recall on this vehicle. this defected part could cause an electric fire. is a safety hazard for motorist. the defective switch would cause my car to fail massachusetts safety inspection. *ak *jb **** dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****739867.
01/12/200103/01/1995
 Headlight dimmer switch defective causing dash board lights and tail lights not too function. in addtion, the malfunction switch caused an electrical meltdown of the pig tail connector into defective switch. i had to replace at my own expense the switch and pig tail conncector. i my opinion, this is a vehicle safety hazard that should prompt a vehcile recall. i have also notice a few other complaints about such defects. my warranty has expired and i had to pay for the repair of the defecitve part and its components. there should be a manatory recall on this vehcile for defective headlight switches. this defect part is a safety hazard, which could cause and electical fire, motorist safety hazard and in addtion to not be able to pass the massachuestts manadorty safety inspection.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH
09/21/2006122000109/14/2006
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph at dawn on normal road conditions, the head lights switch was turned off, but the headlights remained illuminated. there was no warning signal to indicate a defect. when driven back to the contact's residence at night, the head lights failed to turn off again. the lighting control module overheated so the contact disconnected the battery, but before doing so the lights turned off twenty minutes after the vehicle was turned off. the manufacturer was contacted, and indicated that the vin # was not affected in the recall # 94v190000 and instructed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnosis.
05/25/2003950009
 While driving at night headlights failed. this caused poor visibility to the driver. the consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it home. the consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the headlight switch needed to be replaced. *ak the headlamp failure caused the lights to stay on resulting in the discharge of the battery and the ability to restart the vehicle. *sc
01/24/2004110/15/2003
 Lost exterior lights. i had no dash lights no running lights. took to the garage and found out the headlight switch had melted. to me this is a defect. my car could have caught on fire.*ak
06/15/20031000003
 While driving smoke came out of the dashboard. headlight switch and bracket were burned. interior lights, headlights, and parking lights stopped functioning. owner has made an appointment with the dealer for repairs.
06/15/2000
 Faulty headlight switches, caused headlight failure while driving at night. replaced switch and noticed meltdown of switch wiring reoccurring, and notice a burning smell. dealer was notified. feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
10/16/2000212/01/1995
 Both tail light assemblies mounting screw receticles 3 on each assemply have sheared making the wiring the only thing holding both assemblies in place. *ak
09/09/2000608/01/1995
 This started last spring. no dash lights & no tail lights. out of warranty so took it to my local mechanic who replaced the switch which had 'burned'. started again about 2 weeks ago, turn on lights & no dash or tail lights. called mechanic and he said possibly another bad switch or a bad wiring harness. i can't afford to keep replacing these parts every 3-4 months. help. what is causing this problem.
02/21/1999107/01/1995
 Plastic connectors holding tail lights in place broke in half. causing the tail light to hang by the wiring. all three connectors on the passenger side have broken completely, and the three connectors on the drivers side are cracked all the way through but it has not fallen off yet. the plastic connectors seems to be brittle and break into small pieces.
09/24/199805/27/1995
 Tail light plastic connections broke in half.
04/04/199712/26/1997
 The design of the tail lights is defective. *ak
07/01/19951
 Tail lights inoperative. *sd
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
04/12/2004702/17/2003
 I have had this car for just over 1 year, i have had to replace the front breaks 3 times and the rotors 2 times and the calipers 2 times, also the passenger rear wheel cylinder has had to be replaced 4 times and needs to be replaced again, also the drivers side wheel cylinder is in need of repair, all 4 doors will not unlock with the remote and the drivers door will not lock with remote, on third battery for this car and there is still a short somewhere causing a fluxation in the volt meter if the blinker is on, antilock break light will come on and off and breaks have failed several times and make a loud niose if slipping, also have had to replace spark plugs almost every other month and heater blower will come on and off at will. *ak