Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 2.0% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
AIR BAGS 18.2% 2.1% ▼ 16.2 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 14.9% 6.2% ▼ 8.7 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8.8% 15.2% ▲ 6.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 6.1% not reported ▼ 6.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 4.7% 10.3% ▲ 5.6 pts larger share
STEERING 4.1% 9.0% ▲ 4.9 pts larger share
ENGINE 25.7% 30.3% ▲ 4.7 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.7% 6.9% ▲ 2.2 pts larger share
TIRES 2.0% not reported ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.0% 3.5% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 0.7% 2.1% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
WHEELS 1.4% 2.1% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 0.7% 1.4% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.7% 2.1% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.0% 2.1% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 64.9% 78.6% ▲ 13.8 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 3

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1997 2

Campaign components: not reported

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
7 → 16
◆ Injuries
15 → 6