Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving 35 MPH, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed inadvertently without warning. The vehicle was not involved in a crash. Due to the failure, the windshield shattered. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 151,474.
I left my house on 9/10/2011 and went to gas station. After fueling up I noticed that my airbag light was on. I did not pull over because I thought it was just a sensor problem and I had never heard of anyone having to pull over for the airbag light. I proceeded to the highway and when I reached 57 MPH I put on my cruise control. In about 2 minutes both of my airbags deployed and my visibility was 0%. If I had not had both of my front windows down, the powder that engulfed my car could have suffocated me. I am on breathing medicine for copd. Although my car is up there in years it is not up there in mileage. I purchased the car from someone 4 years ago, who only used the car on special occasions. When I purchased the car it had 58,000 miles on it and only has 91,500 today. This whole process took about 15 minutes from start to finish.
On the evening this happen I was traveling home from work. About one minute before the drivers airbag deployed the airbag light came on for about 10 seconds. Then went out ... Then the airbag deployed in my face as I was driving on the highway at about 60 MPH. I was able to slow the car down and pull off to the side of the road ... After clearing the smoke from the deployment I checked the car and all seemed OK. I started again for home which at this time was about 5 miles. The airbag light did the same thing again and before I could stop the car the passenger side deployed .. Smashing the windshield and dash. At this time I have to replace the windshield and dash at my own expense ..which will have to be done over a little time .. I researched this on the internet and found at least 10 others having the same problem.
I left my house & stopped for gas. After getting gas I noticed my airbag light was on. I did not pull over thinking it was a sensor problem. I proceeded to the highway & when I reached 57mph I put on my cruise control. In about 2 minutes my airbags deployed & my ability to see was 0%. The entire incident took about 15 minutes from house to deployment. The powder/smoke engulfed my car. If I had not had both my front windows down I think I could have suffocated. I am currently on breathing meds for copd. The vehicle is old in years but not in mileage. I bought it from someone that only used the car for special occasions, 4 yrs ago, it had 58,000 miles on it. It runs great but now I am afraid to drive it.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving 20 MPH, the drivers side air bag deployed without warning. The contact sustained a burn on her forearm. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of failure. Approximately an hour and a half later, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a Pontiac dealer who stated that the air bag sensors corroded. The dealer has not repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer made an offer to repurchase the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle was being driven 15 MPH when the front air bags deployed involuntarily. One of the vehicle occupants suffered minor injuries as a result of the deployment. The manufacturer sent an inspector to examine the vehicle and the contact was informed that water had entered the air bag module and caused the failure. Due to the water damage, the air bag module was corroded and caused the air bag to deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving, the vehicle air bags deployed without impact. Then 20 feet down the road the passenger air bag deployed, tearing apart the dashboard and windshield. GM didn't seem to be concerned about what happened and their inspector suggested that there were pine needles on the windshield that caused water not to flow properly. The service dealer found the passenger side floor full of water from front to back. The sdm module had corrosion and water damage which possibly caused the air bag deployment.
My son was at a stop sign in his 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, just as his was getting ready to proceed, both the driver side and passenger side airbags deployed, he hadn't even put his foot on the gas, insurance appraiser, appraised the damage in excess of $2000 and come to find out they won't cover it due to the fact that the car wasn't in an accident, they say it's a manufacturers issue, he received a minor burn on his arm from the airbag deploying.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65mph on the interstate in rainy weather, the front passenger airbag deployed. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The airbag warning light was illuminated and the vehicle was not inspected prior to the deployment. After the incident, the vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the airbag sensor underneath the seat was corroded which caused the airbag deployment. The manufacturer was contacted.
Passenger side airbag deployed for no reason while traveling 25 to 30 MPH. Damage to windshield (broken glass) and near injury to passenger. Vehicle make 1996 Pontiac Bonneville VIN = [redacted]. Contacted insurance company and advise not covered by policy, contacted Pontiac consumer complaint dept. In dallas tx. Via phone. Awaiting disposition.
Airbag complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, 18% of the model year's 150 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Bonneville airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, though it has 2 recalls 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 1996 Pontiac Bonneville airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.