1996 Pontiac Bonneville Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 150 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, 5% of the 150 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought my 1996 Bonneville new in that year. Around 20,000 miles the transmission failed and was replaced by the dealer under warranty. At 145,000 miles I noticed the transmission slipping and a smell of burnt fluid. Took the car into the dealer. They flushed and replaced the trans fluid stating the fluid was burnt (meaning not useful any more). I had the fluid changed a couple of times during the life of the car as I also insure all maintenance is done. That flushing lasted about 1,000 miles before the trans began slipping again and this time the check engine light came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054808, filed 2004-01, 144,000 miles“Transmission failed completely while driving. Car made loud whining/grinding noises, jerked and was difficult to control. Other cars swerved to avoid hitting me. Once stopped and in park I tried to proceed. The dash showed the car in gear, the engine would rev but car would not engage any drive or reverse gears. Had car brought home and towed to dealer the next day. It has twice previously gone into neutral briefly while driving but there was never a check engine light.”
NHTSA complaint #710967, filed 1999-09“Automatic transmission malfunctioned, causing the transmission to slip and the vehicle to die, almost causing an accident. Dealer replaced transmission 4 times. Dealer cannot determine pborlem.”
NHTSA complaint #826468, filed 1998-08“There is a drum inside of this transmission that was originally made from a poor quality steel (soft)that started to disintegrate and sent small particles of metal throughout the transmission, that in turn, locked the 2,3 solenoids, resulting in transmission failure. Gm has since changed the drum material to a case hardened one to eliminate the problems this is causing.however, at this present time both GM and the dealership refuse to even assist in the expense of this repair, even though the transmission was serviced at the authorized dealership and 800 miles before required.”
NHTSA complaint #701423, filed 1999-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 7% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 6 | 11% |
| 2002 | 7 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 13% |
| 2000 | 18 | 8% |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 16 | 11% |
| 1996 | 8 | 5% |
| 1995 | 18 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 9% |
| 1993 | 18 | 13% |
| 1992 | 10 | 9% |
| 1991 | 3 | 14% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville
43 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology