Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly loss power and stalled. The contact stated another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed but the repairs were unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000 and the current mileage was 158,000.
Started the car one morning and the air bag light came on and won't go off. Don't know if this is serious or not . Can't afford to have it checked right now. There is a big airbag recall right now, just wondering if my car could be a danger. Also our temp gauge has stopped working and our radio dash light has went out ..maybe a dash board problem with these vehicles
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While approaching a traffic stop at 25 MPH, the contact failed to stop the vehicle and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact's seat belt failed to properly restrain her and did not retract. The front driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, head, and back. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer did not provide a reason for the air bag and seat belt failure. The failure and the current mileages were 72,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The front end was damaged, but the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were 91,512.
The airbags did not deploy all the way my [redacted] is in the car as well and the driver side and passenger airbags did not deploy 100% it did cause me to end up having a cut on my face and abruzz eye I have pictures but I did not go to the ER but my [redacted] did cuz she had two cuts on her head it also shattered my windshield and something was leaking
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. . Consumer owned the vehicle for a year an airbag light came on.
I own a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville sle which I purchased new. The car has 75,796 miles on it as of today. This car has never been involved in an accident. The air bag warning light has been coming on lately. I took the car to my local dealer and after paying $84.19 for a test to be run on the system they told me the following. The clockspring on the driver's side needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $257.48 plus tax. If this did not turn off the sensor then the air bag itself would have to be replaced at an additional estimated cost of $887.04. He also told me that when the sensor light was on the air bag would not deploy. I feel that parts as significant as these sensors should have unlimited warranty, and more information relayed to the consumer. Imagine the number of cars on the road today with that light on who are unaware that the air bag is inoperative.
Air bag light stays on in 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. Dealer diagnostics determines defective clock switch needed to be replaced. Air bags will not deploy in an accident without replacement of the part. Car is 4,800 miles over warranty and dealer expects us to pay for repair. Pontiac customer service offered 50% reimbursement. Your policy states safety-related defects must be fixed by manufacturer at no cost to the owner. Please advise.
Related recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (35), 1996 (27), 2005 (12), 2001 (11) and 1999 (8) model years. Airbag complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Bonneville airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Bonneville airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles; 8% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (38 mentions), followed by the side/window (9).
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.