Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
1995 Pontiac Bonneville my stsering wheel was making a clunking noise then when driving home I turned the corner going right my lower sub frame dropped out from rusted bolts and lost all control! No steering at all. Still shaking.can't believe theres a recall for headlights recall but no steering urecall .I called Pontiac and registered a complaint . For now I have to pay for repairs but what if was my life and not money I lost.these cars should be recalled immediately. The police had to come and direct traffic around my car while I sat there shaking.
I was driving with my children and went to make a right turn and the steering wheel lock I had to put it in park then reverse to make the turn went down a ways came to a stop sign as I proceeded it sounded a s though I hit something and the steering wheel became flimsy I couldn't steer at all it just kept going around in circles so I stopped the car a police officer came I had to call a tow truck long story short the bushing must have fell off because it was so rotted which in turn the k frame broke and the motor dropped down.
I was driving my 1995 Pontiac Bonneville and was taking a right on to a main street, when I heard a loud bang. The rear body frame suspension on the driver and passenger side drop, causing the steering linkage to disconnect, leaving me with 0 steering capability. After further investigating, the frame had rusted around the bushing and bolts holding up the suspension. This in turn, pulled the steering linkage out from the steering component.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal popping noise when making right turns. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the engine cradle bolts were severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 143,705.
Power steering pump is attached to the engine block on the firewall side, and the front of the engine. Attached with 2 8mm bolts which broke off flush with the block. After repair which I performed since the car was out of warrenty. The same failure repeated two weeks later. Then after a 3000 mile trip, failed again. The mounting point of the pump was changed in 1995 from on top of the engine to behind and lower on the front. I feel that either the bolts used are not strong enough or that one of them was cracked on original assembly of the engine. If this had happened at speed in heavy traffic, the results May have been different.
The bolts that hold the power steering unit to the engine broke off. Dealer alleged brake fluid in unit caused problem. Car repaired at owings mills Pontiac. Oil leak looses about a quart of oil per 3-4000 miles. This has been occuring longer than I reported, but outside the 36,000 mile warranty.
Consumer states that when driving the vehicle a pop came from the steering column and the steering wheel felt like it came a loose from the steering column, making driving very difficult. The steering wheel has been replaced.
Consumer had to replace 2 rod kits and shaft for rack and pinion steering. While turning corners vehicle was making a clunking noise that has gotten progressively worse. Consumer concerned about loss of steering control.
While driving bolts on the power steering gear box separated ,causing the steering unit to fall, resulting in loss of control. Dealer has repaired vehicle at owner's expense. Manufacturer has been notified.
When placing the vehicle in reverse and upon attempting to pull the vehicle out the driveway, the steering wheel locked up due to the power steering motor falling off. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer.
Steering complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, 11% of the model year's 244 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Pontiac Bonneville steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Bonneville steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 152,000 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.