Total Complaints
330 filings
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE · model year
330 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995PONTIACBONNEVILLE carries 330 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 4 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 BONNEVILLE is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 20 filings, followed by air bags (16) and air bags:frontal (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1995 BONNEVILLE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
330 filings
Crashes Reported
18 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 20 |
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 15 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 14 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 8 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 8 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 7 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 6 |
I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY
Mileage: 168,445
I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY
Mileage: 168,445
I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY
Mileage: 168,445
THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE INTERNALLY IN THE CABLE GUIDE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD. NOT JUST FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, BUT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE CABLE IS ROUTED BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE CORE SUPPORT. TYE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE HOOD IS TO PRY IT UP DAMAGING THE HOOD, THE UPPER CORE SUPPORT, AND POSSIBLY THE CONDENSOR.
Mileage: 187,000
1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE MY STSERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE THEN WHEN DRIVING HOME I TURNED THE CORNER GOING RIGHT MY LOWER SUB FRAME DROPPED OUT FROM RUSTED BOLTS AND LOST ALL CONTROL! NO STEERING AT ALL. STILL SHAKING.CAN'T BELIEVE THERES A RECALL FOR HEADLIGHTS RECALL BUT NO STEERING URECALL .I CALLED PONTIAC AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT . FOR NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BUT WHAT IF WAS MY LIFE AND NOT MONEY I LOST.THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THE POLICE HAD TO COME AND DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND MY CAR WHILE I SAT THERE SHAKING.
Mileage: 152,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING IN OCTOBER OF 2005. MANY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT, NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL MORE FREQUENTLY. UPDATED 10/21/2015 *JS
CRUISING ON THE MASS. TURNPIKE AT 68MPH ON A RAINY NIGHT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. THE BAG SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD, BLEW THE MOONROOF UP AND BENT THE RAILS. WHEN SHRAPNEL AND DUST SETTLED, THE DRIVER BAG WENT OFF. I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 17 YEARS AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. *TR
Mileage: 130,700
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME CRACKED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CORRODED SWITCH IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER CONSIDERED THE FAILURE POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUG WAS WET BECAUSE THE MOONROOF MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 9/29/2015 *JS
Mileage: 131,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME CRACKED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CORRODED SWITCH IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER CONSIDERED THE FAILURE POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUG WAS WET BECAUSE THE MOONROOF MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 9/29/2015 *JS
Mileage: 131,000
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN REVERSE TO MAKE THE TURN WENT DOWN A WAYS CAME TO A STOP SIGN AS I PROCEEDED IT SOUNDED A S THOUGH I HIT SOMETHING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FLIMSY I COULDN'T STEER AT ALL IT JUST KEPT GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES SO I STOPPED THE CAR A POLICE OFFICER CAME I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK LONG STORY SHORT THE BUSHING MUST HAVE FELL OFF BECAUSE IT WAS SO ROTTED WHICH IN TURN THE K FRAME BROKE AND THE MOTOR DROPPED DOWN. *TR
Mileage: 137,845
DRIVING 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CRASH, VIOLENT EXPLOSION, DASH CAME APART, BREAKING AND BOWING OUT PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. PREGNANT PASSENGER WAS INJURED BY AIR BAG. *TR
Mileage: 134,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,705.
Mileage: 143,705
1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AT ANY SPEED, USUALLY DURING WARMER WEATHER, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THE CAR USUALLY WOULD NOT START FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, STRANDING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE REPLACED A "FUNCTIONING" YET DEFECTIVE TPS (THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR) THAT DID NOT MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT OF REGISTERING A CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AT ANY SPEED, USUALLY DURING WARMER WEATHER, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THE CAR USUALLY WOULD NOT START FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, STRANDING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE REPLACED A "FUNCTIONING" YET DEFECTIVE TPS (THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR) THAT DID NOT MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT OF REGISTERING A CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AT ANY SPEED, USUALLY DURING WARMER WEATHER, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THE CAR USUALLY WOULD NOT START FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, STRANDING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE REPLACED A "FUNCTIONING" YET DEFECTIVE TPS (THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR) THAT DID NOT MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT OF REGISTERING A CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
IN FEBRUARY 2010, DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ON BUMPY BLACKTOP, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER CAR CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TOWED FROM SCENE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT 4 (REAR) OF 6 BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE CRADLE TO UNI-BODY FRAME PULLED THROUGH RUSTED RETAINERS. ALL (6) BOLTS, RETAINERS, SPACERS AND INSULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS REATTACHED AND THE CLOCK SPRING COIL KIT WAS REPLACED (CLOCK SPRING WAS TORN WHEN STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED). THIS INCIDENT CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED. TOWING, REPAIRS AND PARTS COST $805.14. 4 MONTHS LATER THE STEERING RACK WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $450. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RETAINED BUT PHOTOS OF THE BOLTS IN THE FRAME WITH THE ENGINE SUB FRAME HANGING ARE AVAILABLE. NATURALLY THE RETAINERS THAT FAILED ARE GONE BECAUSE THEY FELL OFF WHEN THEY FAILED. THE ENGINE DID NOT FALL ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 2 F
Mileage: 139,600
IN FEBRUARY 2010, DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ON BUMPY BLACKTOP, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER CAR CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TOWED FROM SCENE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT 4 (REAR) OF 6 BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE CRADLE TO UNI-BODY FRAME PULLED THROUGH RUSTED RETAINERS. ALL (6) BOLTS, RETAINERS, SPACERS AND INSULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS REATTACHED AND THE CLOCK SPRING COIL KIT WAS REPLACED (CLOCK SPRING WAS TORN WHEN STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED). THIS INCIDENT CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED. TOWING, REPAIRS AND PARTS COST $805.14. 4 MONTHS LATER THE STEERING RACK WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $450. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RETAINED BUT PHOTOS OF THE BOLTS IN THE FRAME WITH THE ENGINE SUB FRAME HANGING ARE AVAILABLE. NATURALLY THE RETAINERS THAT FAILED ARE GONE BECAUSE THEY FELL OFF WHEN THEY FAILED. THE ENGINE DID NOT FALL ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 2 F
Mileage: 139,600
FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS JOINT WELDS BREAK LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE STARTS AND THE AIRBAG MODULE SHORTS OUT AND CAN BLOW ANYTIME THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR LOOKED INTO AFTER I SENT IN COMPLIANT NOW SOME KID RIDING IN RAIN HAD HIS BLOW OUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES AND THEY WANTED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FOR $600 ???? ARE THEY CRAZY MY WHITE PAINT ALSO PEELED BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. SO I HAVE A SHORTED OUT MODULE LEAK IN MY FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS AND A TWO COLORED CAR THEY SHOULD GO BANKRUPT. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS JOINT WELDS BREAK LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE STARTS AND THE AIRBAG MODULE SHORTS OUT AND CAN BLOW ANYTIME THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR LOOKED INTO AFTER I SENT IN COMPLIANT NOW SOME KID RIDING IN RAIN HAD HIS BLOW OUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES AND THEY WANTED TO BUY BACK THE CAR FOR $600 ???? ARE THEY CRAZY MY WHITE PAINT ALSO PEELED BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. SO I HAVE A SHORTED OUT MODULE LEAK IN MY FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS AND A TWO COLORED CAR THEY SHOULD GO BANKRUPT. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
MY AIR BAGS BLEW UP ON ME DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE RAIN AND PONTIAC SAID ITS A BAD SPOT ON THEE CAR AND THEY WANT TO BUY IT BACK FOR 600 FROM ME PLUS I HAVE 2500 IN CHIROPRACTOR BILLS AND A WINDOW TO REIMBURSE MY PARENTS THAT HELP ME I HAVE NO AIR BAGS AND I FILL SAFE WITH OUT THEM. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.