Model year record
1994 Pontiac Bonneville recalls & problems
The 1994 Pontiac Bonneville has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 88 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (22 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1994 Pontiac Bonneville.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1994 Pontiac Bonneville 4-DR
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Bonneville
| City / highway | 17 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Bonneville
| City / highway | 15 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition | 22 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system | 18 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module | 15 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 12 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl) | 11 | — |
| StructureFrame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields | 11 | 138,500 mi |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage | 8 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly | 5 | — |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 4 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Power window devices and controls | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Structure › Frame and members
1994 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. DUE TO CORROSION THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS / MOUNTING FAILED AND ENGINE FELL OUT OF CAR. LUCKILY IT WAS WHILE TURNING AROUND IN THE DRIVEWAY, IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON / AT ROAD SPEEDS THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, MULTI CAR INVOLVEMENT, INJURIES, OR LOSS OF LIFE. GM SERVICE OFFERED ZERO HELP ON RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN INFORMATION AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECT OR REPAIR. *TR
- Structure › Frame and members
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT AND RETAINER PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE. THE REAR CRADLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE STEERING SEPARATED. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT VERBALLY SPOKE WITH AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHO SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. *JB
- Electrical systemFire
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. *AK
- Structure › Frame and members
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2005 WHILE SLOWLY PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT. HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND LOST STEERING CONTROL AND THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE CURB AND STOPPED. THE GM MANUFACTURER WANTED TO KNOW HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER FOUND OUT THAT THEY DONE ALMOST ALL THE MAINTENANCE THEY TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TEN YEARS OLD. SHE UNDERSTOOD THIS, BUT SHE STILL FELT THAT AN ENGINE SHOULD NOT JUST FALL OUT OF A VEHICLE. HER PRIMARY CONCERN WAS TO MAKE NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED AND THIS HAPPENED THEN YOU WOULD LOSE ALL STEERING…
- Structure › Frame and members
TURNING INTO STREET WHEN THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OUT IN THE REAR. LOSS OF ALL STEERING. HAD A CUTLASS SUPREME THAT DID THAT ALSO EXCEPT THERE WAS A RECALL. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD, A VEHICLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD NO STEERING??? WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE. GM NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS. *JB
- 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. *AK
- Structure › Frame and members
DT: CONTACT STATES: THE CRADLE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH HELD THE SUSPENSION UP IN THE FRONT. THERE WERE FOUR BOLTS HOLDING IT UP, AND THE WASHERS RUSTED, CAUSING THIS FAILURE. DEALER SAID THEY HAD NOT SEEN THAT HAPPEN. THEY HAVE AGREED TO FIX IT ALL AT CONSUMER'S COST. CONTACT COMPLAINED TO GM, AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO OLD.*AK
- Structure › Frame and members
FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE A-FRAME ATTACHES. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.