Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
95V204000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 03/01/1995 to 08/01/1995V (Vehicle)3286909/22/1995MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/23/199511/01/1995571114
Defect SummaryThese 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 and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. this does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 114, theft protection and fmvss no. 208, occupant crash protection. in addition, other chime reminder functions, interior lighting controls, and power door locking features are also affected.
Consequence SummaryConsequence of non-compliance; the driver may not be aware that the key was left in the ignition or that the safety belt was not buckled.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.
NotesSystem: electrical; ignition; anti-theft; fmvss no. 114 and no. 208.vehicle description: passenger vehicles.note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300; oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
04/01/2009140000
 Tl-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. kmj
04/01/2009140000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. the contact stated it was difficult to start the vehicle, therefore had to make several attempts before succeeding to start vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the repair where failure was found on the intake manifold, and oxygen sensor. the intake manifold cap o was melting, causing the oil to spill and producing white smoke out of the tailpipe exhaust. the vehicle was repaired, the details are unknown. the alarm system on the vehicle failed randomly. the system failed to notify if the doors were opened and seatbelts were not on. the fuel injection system was defective, and was repaired by replacing the fuel injector and adding fuel cleaner; however failure recurred. the failure was related to recall nhtsa campaign id number: 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system), and nhtsa campaign id number: 95v204000 (electrical system: ignition: anti-theft controller); however the vin was not included. the current mileage was 158,000. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000.yn
02/17/201055000
 This car belongs to my elderly mother which she bought used and has been an on going problem! ocasionally 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!!
10/28/201043000
 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 optiion left is to tow to local dealer for service.
07/29/20051580007
 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. *nm
02/01/2002112/01/1996
 The check engine light had come on. the intake manifold had to be replaced and there were problems with the electrical system. *sc 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. *jb
01/16/20040
 Last weekend when i was driving my pontiac bonneville registration tag kxg 17m, nj license plate has a vin# 1g2hx52k2t4229310 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, kishan
07/26/2002850002
 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.*ak 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..
02/06/20021
 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. *jb
 Vehicle experiences electrical problems. sometimes when driving down the road all the interior lights come on and stay on. also radio operates erratically. *mjs
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
09/19/200287000502/10/2002
 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. paid $100 to get new alternator. right after alternator the eg r valve died, had it replaced, another $300 spent. now come spedometer saying 99000 but the second engine only having 60000 the serpentine belt cracked and worn out beyong believe. another $75 spend. while having that replaced the mechanic pointed out puddles of oil on the engine, thus the manifolds/gasket on engine#2 will soon need to have work done.should i contact the local dealer about the gaskets leaking...does it relate to the recall that was made on the manifolds. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
06/07/2001105000105/01/2000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. while driving between 35-40 mph, the vehicle gradually lost power and shut off. when the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, it backfired. the vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to the dealer. the dealer stated that the upper intake manifold was cracked and would cost $503 to repair. the current mileage was 176,000 and failure mileage was 105,000. updated 04/08/08. *lj the battery was replaced due to the vehicle not starting.
05/03/2000103/01/1996
 Battery leaked acid, and positive terminal fell off from side of battery, battery acid covered battery case, covered distributor and possible brake lines. opened file with pontiac #00775631*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
05/14/2003
 When the key was placed in the ignition, it did not turn over. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
05/02/19996
 The security system which came with vehicle prevented driver from starting or restarting vehicle after being parked for some time. would finally start vehicle. took vehicle to dealership twice for security problems. mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
01/01/201097000
 Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. while driving at speeds of at least 10 mph or while sitting idle, the vehicle would stall without warning. the power windows, seats and fuel pump would become inoperable as well. the contact would recharge the battery and once fully charged, the vehicle would operate normally for a short period of time before stalling again. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but they could not duplicate the failure. the failure persisted. the contact also stated that it would take several attempts to remove the key from the ignition when shutting off the engine. the vehicle was taken to a different mechanic where they could not duplicate the additional failures. the mechanic suggested that the ignition anti-theft controller was faulty and caused the vehicle to stall. although there was a recall for the failure, (nhtsa campaign id number: 95v204000: electrical system: ignition: anti-theft controller), his vin was not included. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current was 98,000.
04/07/2005209/01/1996
 While in park position ignition key turned on and passenger side air bag deployed with cause. windshield had to be replaced immediately. general motors has now had the car in testing for two days without being able to conduct the actual test. they have transferred out file to their legal department. cost of the air bag is approximately $850.00. controls $870.00 plus damage to the dashboard. cost to emergency replacement the windshield was approximately $400.00. we apparently should hear from the legal department in two days. time to order the airbag is 3-5 days. no established time to actually do the repairs.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
04/18/2005121200405/08/2004
 My 1996 bonneville started acting up, roughly idling, and hesitating when taking off. there was loss of power, poor gas mileage, car would shut it self off while driving down the highway.check engine light came on and started flashing. took it to auto zone to get it checked. scanner idicated that it had multiple misfires, and that my map sensor was bad. replaced map sensor. still didnt change on how the vehicle operated. replaced one of coil packs, still nothing. put new plug wires and nothing cahned. new oxygen sensor installed, and still nothing. changes. over all i just got done spending $150.00 on this car and i cant even afford that, and still have not resolved the problem. i replaced basically everything that the computer came up with. what can i do here to solve this problem without me hurting my financial status, and me blowing the car up.*ak