Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Bonneville, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 22% |
| Steering | 5 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 4% |
| Air bags | 1 | 4% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
"TAKATA RECALL" UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE CAR WON'T BRAKE FUMES COMING INSIDE THE CAR. CAR SHAKING AND VIBRATING LOW OIL PRESSURE EVEN WHEN I GOT A OIL CHANGE. AFTER OIL CHANGE CAR WOULDN'T GO NO MORE THAN 16 MILES PER HOUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING; REPAIR SHOP SAYS SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG WILL NOW ONLY WORK IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT. IF IT IS TURNED AND I GET HIT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY PANEL MALFUNCTIONING MY FUEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECK TIRE PRESSURE CHECK OIL ALL THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND I CAN'T RESET THE PANEL I'M ALSO HAVING AN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER , TEMPERATURE AND VOLTAGE ALL NOT WORKING. HEADLINER FALLING.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING UNTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING WHITE SMOKE TO EMIT OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
STARTED UP MY CAR AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WON'T GO OFF. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL LIGHTS IN THE DASH. PART OF THE LIGHTS FOR THE SPEEDOMETER/AIR-CONDITIONER BUTTONS ARE ONLY 1/2 WORKING AND PART OF T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 6 of them (22%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.