FaultScore

1994 Pontiac Bonneville electrical problems

22 of the 123 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Bonneville are about the electrical system — 18% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 119,000 miles.

F

22

Complaints

0

Crashes

4

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 7 31.8%
Ignition 5 22.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 9.1%
Front Underhood 2 9.1%
Interior/Under Dash 2 9.1%
Electrical System 2 9.1%
Horn 1 4.5%
Module 1 4.5%

Electrical System across every Pontiac Bonneville year

1992 20 6.8%
1993 23 7.8%
1994 22 7.5%
1995 44 14.9%
1996 21 7.1%
1997 30 10.2%
1998 32 10.8%
1999 23 7.8%
2000 32 10.8%
2001 16 5.4%
2002 11 3.7%
2003 10 3.4%
2004 11 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 146,000 miles Burnsville, MN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT HE DETECTED THE ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING. HE SAW GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, AND A YELLOW FLAME CLOSE TO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AREA. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DISTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10143532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Monroe, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF IT OVERHEATED. BEFORE THIS OCCURRED THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE ALMOST HAST BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THEY FINALLY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS TO THE VEHICLE TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THEY HAVE FOUND IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10133973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. WITHIN 6MO THE FIRST ALTERNATOR PROBLEM OCCURRED. IN THE PAST 8YEARS I HAVE HAD 10 ALTERNATORS AND 4 BATTERIES PUT IN THE VEHICLE. EVERYTIME THE BATTERY GUAGE WOULD GO LOW WHEN CHECKED I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR. ON ONE OCCASSION I TOOK MY CAR DUE TO THE FACT THE DEALER WAS CLOSED, TO ANOTHER CAR REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT STATED THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND UNTIL THAT IS FIXED I WILL STILL HAVE ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY PROBLEMS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH THE DEALERTO NO SATISFACTION. INITIALLY THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THE DEALER REPLACED PARTS. THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED KICKED IN, AGAIN PAYING FOR PARTS. WHEN THE WARRANTYEXPIRED I HAD GREAT EXPENSE PAYING FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I ALSO LOST USE OF MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME . AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE GM STATED I SHOULD GO BACK TO THE DEALER IT WAS A DEALER PROBLEM. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER THEY SAID IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR DRAWS A LOT OF ELECTRIC AL POWER. THEY COULD ONLY RECOMEND PUTTING IN A NEW WIRING SYSTEM ROUGH COST 3,000 BUT COULD NOT TELL ME THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW MY CAR IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD. I HAVE ALL THE REPAIR BILLS SHOWING NINE GOING ON TEN ALTERNATORS. THE PROBLEM IS ON GOING AND I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY I NEED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR. THE DEALER'S ONLY SUGGESTION TO ME AS A CONSUMER IS THAT THEY COULD SELL ME ANOTHER CAR. WHY WOULD I BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM THEM IF THEY SOLD ME A PREVIOUS CAR WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND WON'T HELP ME FIX THEM. I AM AT A LOSS. MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER LEMON LAW ALTHOUGH 9 SOON TO BE 10 ALTERNATORS TO ME QUALIFIES AS A LEMON. BECAUSE THE CAR IS OLDER THAT IS THE EXCUSE I AM GIVEN. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #765455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. WITHIN 6MO THE FIRST ALTERNATOR PROBLEM OCCURRED. IN THE PAST 8YEARS I HAVE HAD 10 ALTERNATORS AND 4 BATTERIES PUT IN THE VEHICLE. EVERYTIME THE BATTERY GUAGE WOULD GO LOW WHEN CHECKED I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR. ON ONE OCCASSION I TOOK MY CAR DUE TO THE FACT THE DEALER WAS CLOSED, TO ANOTHER CAR REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT STATED THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND UNTIL THAT IS FIXED I WILL STILL HAVE ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY PROBLEMS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH THE DEALERTO NO SATISFACTION. INITIALLY THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THE DEALER REPLACED PARTS. THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED KICKED IN, AGAIN PAYING FOR PARTS. WHEN THE WARRANTYEXPIRED I HAD GREAT EXPENSE PAYING FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I ALSO LOST USE OF MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME . AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE GM STATED I SHOULD GO BACK TO THE DEALER IT WAS A DEALER PROBLEM. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER THEY SAID IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR DRAWS A LOT OF ELECTRIC AL POWER. THEY COULD ONLY RECOMEND PUTTING IN A NEW WIRING SYSTEM ROUGH COST 3,000 BUT COULD NOT TELL ME THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW MY CAR IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD. I HAVE ALL THE REPAIR BILLS SHOWING NINE GOING ON TEN ALTERNATORS. THE PROBLEM IS ON GOING AND I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY I NEED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR. THE DEALER'S ONLY SUGGESTION TO ME AS A CONSUMER IS THAT THEY COULD SELL ME ANOTHER CAR. WHY WOULD I BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM THEM IF THEY SOLD ME A PREVIOUS CAR WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND WON'T HELP ME FIX THEM. I AM AT A LOSS. MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER LEMON LAW ALTHOUGH 9 SOON TO BE 10 ALTERNATORS TO ME QUALIFIES AS A LEMON. BECAUSE THE CAR IS OLDER THAT IS THE EXCUSE I AM GIVEN. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #765455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Michigan Center, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THIS IS THE SECOND BONNEVILLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS LISTED OWNED. SEEMS PONTIAC WOULD INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS A LITTLE MORE. NEVER BUY ANOTHER. AFTER ONE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, WILL JUST REPLACE THE "HEAP" OF A CAR NEXT TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #749198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC . ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY AND IGNITION MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #882541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC . ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY AND IGNITION MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #882541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC . ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY AND IGNITION MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #882541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fargo, ND

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

VEHICLE LOSES POWER, BUT DOES NOT STALL COMPLETELY. HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED 2 TIMES. PROBLEM REOCCURED.

NHTSA complaint #881925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE FAILS WITHOUT WARNING, CAR STALLS WHILE SITTING WARMING UP OR TRAVELING WITH NO WARNING. WHEN ENGINE STALLS, CAN OCCASIONALLY BE RESTARTED. HAVE HAD A COMPUTER CHIP AND FEUL PUMP REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WATER PUMP IS NOW GETTING VERY NOISY AND ALSO WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED NOW. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, WE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE TEMPERATURE SEEMED TO BE RISING AND THE CAR NOT OPERATING SMOOTHLY. REASSURED THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS TO BE FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #737612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carlsbad, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THE PUSH ROD FAILED WITH NO OTHER ENGINE WARNINGS WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 65MPH. OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT I'VE PUT 5 ALTERNATORS IN IT, THE 5TH COMING AT 79,000 MILES. THAT'S NOT NORMAL; ALL PONTIAC SAYS IS TOUGH! ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE THAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING ME? (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: N/A)

NHTSA complaint #736832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westfield, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CAR STALLED & SHIM RING FOR ANY REASON, LOSS POWER STERRING AND BRAKING WHEN DURING NORMAL CONDITION. THREE OCCURENCES IN 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #711552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raytown, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. LATER, NONE OF THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #846912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM WHEN THE VATS IGNITION FAILED (SPRING) THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD TO BE REMOVED.

NHTSA complaint #542308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenfield, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILS EVERY 40 TO 45 THOUSAND MILES.

NHTSA complaint #537837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Muskegon, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #519130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenville, NC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

FRONT DASHBOARD IN CONSUMER'0S CAR STARTED TO SMOKE THAN CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

NHTSA complaint #800952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUTDOWN LOW TO HIGH SPEEDS, AT 55MPH, WARNING CHIME CAME SECONDS BEFORE HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #800625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waukegan, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE, FOLLOWED BY BIG FLAMES; VEHICLE BURNED UP COMPLETELY; TOTALED; CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #971509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAY Point, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT HIGH TO LOW SPEED ENGINE SHUT DOWN, NO PRIOR WARNING, DEALER CAN'T CORRECT. TT

NHTSA complaint #963081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East North P, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE ON AND HEATER ON, ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT

NHTSA complaint #962495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berwyn, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IT IS DIFFICULT TO PUSH/ACTIVATE HORN DUE TO LOCATION OF HORN BUTTONS.

NHTSA complaint #480225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Pontiac Bonneville problems

← Full 1994 Pontiac Bonneville report