30 of the
188 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville are about the
electrical system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
80,000 miles.
F
30
Complaints
0
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Horn
1136.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery
620.0%
Front Underhood
310.0%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
26.7%
Interior/Under Dash
26.7%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
26.7%
Ignition
13.3%
Starter Assembly
13.3%
Electrical System
13.3%
Cables
13.3%
Electrical System across every Pontiac Bonneville year
DRIVING AN SUDDENLY VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, SPEED MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.STARTS BACK WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM, ALSO HAPPENS WHEN IDLING...MAKES FOR A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY SURFACE STREETS, TURNING, ACCELERATING, EVEN WHEN BRAKING.THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT WOULDN'T START AND NO DOCUMENTATION OR INVOICES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE TO TUG ON IGNITION WIRES. POSSIBLE REASON-IGNITION SWITCH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL SECTION IS BAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CONSOLE, PLAN ON GETTING NEW IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10809667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bella Vista, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NAR 1/29/2003. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER WITH A BENT WATER PUMP AND A BENT WHEEL. THE ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10006051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesBelleville, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE FAILED TO START. UPON OPENING HOOD CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY TERMINAL POST CAME OFF, AND ACID WAS LEAKING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10046178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesMount Pleasant, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 25 MPH SUDDENLY ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DIED. NO BRAKES/ NO POWER STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER POPPED HOOD, AND NOTICED BATTERY ACID ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND BATTERY CABLES WERE LOOSE. DEALER REPLACED CABLES, AND PUT JELLY AROUND THEM. FIVE DAYS LATER, CABLES WERE LOOSE AGAIN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. THE CABLE HAS LOOSEN AGAIN AND VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. CONSUMER WAS LEFT STRANDED.
NHTSA complaint #10033603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antelope, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITH FLUID DRIPPING IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. FOUND POSITIVE BATTERY POST (SIDE) SEPARATED FROM BATTERY CASE WITH BATTERY ACID LEAKING OUT. BATTERY TERMINAL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM CABLES AND THERE WAS SLIGHT CORROSION DAMAGE TO BATTERY TRAY AREA.
NHTSA complaint #765112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Dale, WVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HAVE A DEAD BATTERY BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE; THE CAR WENT "PUFF" AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN THE WRECKER DRIVER ATTEMPTE TO START THE CAR, HE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, BATTERY WAS INTACT, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. AFTER FIRE WAS EXTINQUISHED, HE FOUND THE PLENUM(?SP) BLOWN OFF THE TOP F THE ENGINE AND THE OIL FILTLER TUBE WAS BLOWN OUT OF HE TOP OF TE MANIFOLD. WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEY SAID MY CAR INS SHOULD COVER IT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A PREVIOUSLY EXISTING DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE FOAM USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE. WAS I SUPPOSED TO LET THE CAR COMPLETEY BURN UP? I DON'T THINK SO!
NHTSA complaint #760655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Dale, WVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HAVE A DEAD BATTERY BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE; THE CAR WENT "PUFF" AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN THE WRECKER DRIVER ATTEMPTE TO START THE CAR, HE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, BATTERY WAS INTACT, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. AFTER FIRE WAS EXTINQUISHED, HE FOUND THE PLENUM(?SP) BLOWN OFF THE TOP F THE ENGINE AND THE OIL FILTLER TUBE WAS BLOWN OUT OF HE TOP OF TE MANIFOLD. WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEY SAID MY CAR INS SHOULD COVER IT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A PREVIOUSLY EXISTING DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE FOAM USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS IN THE ENGINE. WAS I SUPPOSED TO LET THE CAR COMPLETEY BURN UP? I DON'T THINK SO!
NHTSA complaint #760655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR CHILDREN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED ME. WHEN I ARRIVED I FOUND THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL FELL OFF THE DELCO BATTERY, CAUSING ACID TO LEAK INTO THE BATTERY TRAY AND FRONT FRAME SECTION. I REPLACED BATTERY AND HAD TO REPAIR THE CABLE END BECAUSE THE END WAS SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #755665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL TAKES EXCESSIVE EFFORT AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO SOUND. SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T GET HORN TO WORK AT ALL. DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #755666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE HESITATING BETWEEN 35 AND 55 MPH. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. TURNED OUT TO BE 1 FAILED IGNITION COIL AND IGNITION WIRES BAD.
NHTSA complaint #755667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OR SIMILARLY CONFIGURED BATTERY CABLE SYSTEM. THE POST BREAKS OFF INSIDE THE BATTERY AS A RESULT OF VIBRATIONS AND THE WEIGHT OF THE CABLE. THE CONSUMER MUST BUY A NEW BATTERY AS A RESULT. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY BOLT FREEZES INSIDE THE CABLE REQUIRING IT TO BE CUT OUT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED ATHTHE CONNECTION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH AT BENTLEY PONTIAC AT THE TIME I TOOK IT IN. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GET IT REPAIRED. WHEN I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP, I NOTICED ANOTHER BONNEVILLE GETTING IT'S BATTERY REPLACED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - THE POSITIVE TERMINAL POST HAD BROKEN OFF AND THE BOLT WAS FROZEN TO THE POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND THAT GM SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNER'S FOR ANY COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DESIGN FLAW. IT PRESENTS A DANGER TO VEHICLES DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. I WAS LUCKY MY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY GARAGE. I SHOULOD HAVE REPORTED THIS EARLIER. HOWEVER, WHILE CLEANING UP MY COMPUTER FILES, I RECALLED THAT I HAD NOT REPORTED THIS INCIDENT. I HAVE OWNED A NUMBER OF VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY/BATTEY CABLE ON ANY OF THEM. HAVE OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS BEEN REPORTED OR DOES GM HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM FROM MAINTENANCE ACTIONS AT THEIR DEALERS?
NHTSA complaint #755206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE CARS INTERIOR - CAR JUNKED.
NHTSA complaint #739180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holyoke, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WHEN WORK WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #736443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisburg, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN BUTTON IS DIFFICULT TO PUSH, MUST HIT SPOT PRECISELY TO ACTIVATE.
NHTSA complaint #782519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irwin, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHEN DRIVING OR IDLING VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DIE ,AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL AFTER 10-15 MINUTES LATER . DEALER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCURRED, DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE WITHOUT DUPLICATING DEFECT. *AK AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER IDENFIFIED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAILED FUEL PUMP AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBERSMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #866328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingsburg, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERIES LEAK ACID.ET.
NHTSA complaint #552882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northlet, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING OUT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP 6 TIMES, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER KEEPS REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS, AND THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO GO BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR THE 7TH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #850383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newnan, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN VERY HARD TO USE. REQUIRES EXCESSIVE PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #712150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dillonvale, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ON DATE MENTIONED THE CARS FIREWALL AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHICH CAUSE THE LOSE OF THE USE OF THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. I WAS DECENDING A STEEP HILL AT THE TIME . I WAS LUCKY TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO GET THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT KEEP MY HEAD. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD HAVE NOT WORN OUT AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 3500 MILE ON IT AT THAT TIME. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. I HAVE CALLED THE PLACE OF PURCHASE TO INFORM THEM OF THIS AND THEY GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER OF THE PONTIAC CO. TO CALL AND THE NUMBER WILL NOT GO THREW. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PLACE IN THEIR WEB SITE TO SEND THEM AN EMAIL ABOUT THE FIRE AND NO LUCK THERE EITHER. IF THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED WHEN IT DID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY WIFE DRIVING WITH OUR GRANDSON IN THE CAR, AS I HAD GONE TO GET GAS FOR THE CAR FOR HER FIRST. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT AS TO WETHER THERE HAS BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE . I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE HANDLED THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR GRANDSON IN THE CAR. THIS HAS ME VERY UPSET.
NHTSA complaint #711745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Rancho, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER TERM LOOSE CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hendersonv, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
VEHICLE HORN REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO BE USED IN ORDER FOR IT TO SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #512630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corcoran, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAS BLOWN OUT, LEAVING CONSUMER WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #829937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN DESIGN RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL EFFORT TO ACTIVATE.
NHTSA complaint #528197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hendersonville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
EXTREME PRESSURE NEEDED TO OPERATE THE HORN CONTACTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTS IN A UNSAFE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #512630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hendersonv, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DESIGN/LOCATION OF THE HORN BUTTON CAUSES DIFFICULTY ENGAGING (EXTREME PRESSURE) IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, ALMOST RESULTED IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #514420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlantic C, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE.
NHTSA complaint #528498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bossier City, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DIFFICULTY DEPRESSING HORN BUTTON.
NHTSA complaint #525363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monongahela, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
UPON DEPRESSING THE HORN PAD THERE IS NO SOUND, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO WARN MOTORISTS IN AN EMERGENCY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #816991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardena, ND
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON REQUIRES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #522496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH BEHIND THE RADIO. MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE IN THE DASH. CAR WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. STILL NOT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #807107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.