The most-reported Bonneville run is 1G2HX52K9S4 (1995 builds) with 20 complaints, 5.4× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 32% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 5.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Bonneville model years 1995–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Pontiac Bonneville has 332 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Bonneville complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G2HX52K9S4•••••• | 1995 | — | 1 | |
| 1G2HX52K3S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G2HX52K6S4•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2HX52K0XH•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1G2HX52K4W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1G2HX52K9W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1G2HX54K4Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1G2HX52K2S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G2HX52K4S4•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2HX52K1S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G2HX54K0Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | 1 | |
| 1G2HX52KXW4•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 320 Bonneville runs has 13 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Pontiac Bonneville the gap between build years is 4.1×: a 1998 car draws 5.3 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 23 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 24 | 18 | — | |
| 2003 | 49 | 24 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 72 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 113 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2000 | 172 | 37 | 2 | |
| 1999 | 116 | 33 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 216 | 41 | 9 | |
| 1997 | 123 | 28 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 111 | 36 | 4 | |
| 1995 | 195 | 45 | 7 |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 5.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 32% of everything Pontiac Bonneville owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 387 of 1,214 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 46 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 27 | |
| Steering | 3 | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 18 | |
| Power Train | 4 | — | |
| Air Bags | 19 | 1 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 18 | |
| Visibility | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Pontiac Bonneville; the 6 below cover build years 1996 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1996–1999 |
| 04V090000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery | 1998–2000 |
| 02V222000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2002–2003 |
| 03V238000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 2002–2003 |
| 00V114000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 2000 |
| 99V089000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 1999 |
The Bonneville against its rivals
The Bonneville draws 3.7 complaints per production run; the Cadillac Deville 3, the Buick LeSabre 4.1 and the Buick Park Avenue 3.3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Bonneville | 1,214 | 332 | 3.5% | |
| Cadillac Deville | 2,216 | 730 | 8.3% | |
| Buick LeSabre | 2,951 | 713 | 5.6% | |
| Buick Park Avenue | 856 | 263 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,214 reports on the Pontiac Bonneville, 3.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Pontiac Bonneville | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,214 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 42 (3.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 97 (8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 68 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 40% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Pontiac Bonneville share of that is 1,214 complaints over 332 runs, 0.11% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Pontiac Bonneville VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,214 NHTSA complaints from 332 Bonneville runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Bonneville production run has the most complaints?
1G2HX52K9S4, a 1995 build, with 20 complaints. The typical Bonneville run has 3.7.
Which Bonneville years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 5.3 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.3.
Does the Bonneville get more complaints than the Cadillac Deville?
Yes: 3.7 complaints per production run for the Bonneville against 3 for the Cadillac Deville.
How many Bonneville complaints involve a crash?
3.5% of 1,214 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 97 involved a fire.
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