Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and dash lights did not work. The fault wa s the lighting control module which had a recall issued. Pontiac was not willing to repair the vehicle under the recall 94V190000 concerning headlight failure. These vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. This can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps. Consequence: sudden loss of headlamps can cause reduced driver visibility which can result in a vehicle accident. Also, the head lamps cannot be turned off, or they May turn on while the vehicle is parked, resulting in loss of battery charge and inability to restart the car. Remedy: dealers will replace the headlamp module. Notes: system: lighting; head lights. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with twilight sentinel lights. …
Headlight dimmer switch defective causing dash board lights and tail lights not to function. In addition, the malfunction switch caused an electric meltdown of the pig tail connector going into the switch. I had to replace both the switch and pigtail connectors. In my opinion, this is a safety hazard. I have also noticed that a few other complaints of this problem had been reported. My warranty has expired and had to pay the cost of the installation of the switch. There should be a mandatory recall on this vehicle. This defected part could cause an electric fire. Is a safety hazard for motorist. The defective switch would cause my car to fail massachusetts safety inspection. **** dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****739867.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH at dawn on normal road conditions, the head lights switch was turned off, but the headlights remained illuminated. There was no warning signal to indicate a defect. When driven back to the contact's residence at night, the head lights failed to turn off again. The lighting control module overheated so the contact disconnected the battery, but before doing so the lights turned off twenty minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The manufacturer was contacted, and indicated that the VIN # was not affected in the recall # 94V190000 and instructed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnosis.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville. On approximately five occasions, the contact has had to change the instrument panel switch. During the first occurrence, the tail lights stopped working and the switch was repaired. During the second occurrence, the tail lights, backup lights, fog lights, and instrument panel lights all stopped working simultaneously. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 94V190000 (exterior lighting:headlights). The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 145,000.
I called botnick Chevrolet in binghamton ny. Told them the make and VIN of my vehicle (1995 Pontiac Bonneville). I recently lost my interior lights because of the dimmer switch and I am concerned now about my wife losing the head lamps while driving. Botnick informed me that there are no recalls on this vehicle and I found this information on your site (ref. NHTSA id 94V190000). VIN: [redacted] . Thanks in advance for your consideration. [redacted]
While driving at night headlights failed. This caused poor visibility to the driver. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it home. The consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the headlight switch needed to be replaced. The headlamp failure caused the lights to stay on resulting in the discharge of the battery and the ability to restart the vehicle.
While driving smoke came out of the dashboard. Headlight switch and bracket were burned. Interior lights, headlights, and parking lights stopped functioning. Owner has made an appointment with the dealer for repairs.
I purchased this car used from a dealer in 2001 in michigan. (I don't think the air conditioning ever worked ). Within a few months the traction control went out. It would be on, when the car started, but within driving 300ft. Would go out and could not be turned back on from the button. A few months after that all of the dash lights went out when ever you turned on the head lights. This was due to a bad switch & a short. Then the cruse control went out. A few months after that we had to replace the head gaskets due to the engine over heating by an unknown cause. 1 month after that we had to replace the engine after throwing a rod and cracking the engine block, due to the fact that there was still fluind in the engine from melted manafold.( this all took place between nov. 2001 & jan. …
Headlight dimmer switch defective causing dash board lights and tail lights not too function. In addtion, the malfunction switch caused an electrical meltdown of the pig tail connector into defective switch. I had to replace at my own expense the switch and pig tail conncector. I my opinion, this is a vehicle safety hazard that should prompt a vehcile recall. I have also notice a few other complaints about such defects. My warranty has expired and I had to pay for the repair of the defecitve part and its components. There should be a manatory recall on this vehcile for defective headlight switches. This defect part is a safety hazard, which could cause and electical fire, motorist safety hazard and in addtion to not be able to pass the massachuestts manadorty safety inspection.
I have had this car for just over 1 year, I have had to replace the front breaks 3 times and the rotors 2 times and the calipers 2 times, also the passenger rear wheel cylinder has had to be replaced 4 times and needs to be replaced again, also the drivers side wheel cylinder is in need of repair, all 4 doors will not unlock with the remote and the drivers door will not lock with remote, on third battery for this car and there is still a short somewhere causing a fluxation in the volt meter if the blinker is on, antilock break light will come on and off and breaks have failed several times and make a loud niose if slipping, also have had to replace spark plugs almost every other month and heater blower will come on and off at will.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
These vehicles were assembled with lighting control modules which can experience excessive current leakage due to damaged surface mounting capacitors. This can cause loss of head lamps and parking lamps.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp module.
Headlight complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, 14% of the model year's 244 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Pontiac Bonneville headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 94V-190 (headlights, Oct 4, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Bonneville headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.