Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Bonneville vs Honda Accord
How the Pontiac Bonneville and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Pontiac Bonneville vs Honda Accord: The Bonneville averaged 98.5 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Accord averaged 452.4 per year over 10 years. The Accord had 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; the Bonneville had 21 crash-related and 0 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Bonneville or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville is a discontinued full-size sedan that owners report can become troublesome as it ages. With 591 complaints over 6 years (about 98.5 per year), the most common issues involve steering, electrical, visibility, engine cooling, and power train. Owners describe problems like popping steering, water leaks, and engine stalling, which can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a long history, but recent models have generated many complaints. Over 10 years, there were 4,524 complaints (about 452 per year), with top areas being engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system. Owners report serious issues like sudden power loss, braking failures, and false collision warnings, indicating that even a well-regarded model can have significant problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Bonneville | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 591 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 98.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 29 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Pontiac Bonneville
- 01STEERING123
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM93
- 03VISIBILITY92
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING87
- 05POWER TRAIN54
Owners report popping noises and difficulty turning the wheel, often due to a faulty part. This can make steering feel unpredictable and may require expensive repairs.
Complaints include burning smells, smoke from the engine, and non-working gauges. These issues can lead to breakdowns or even fires if not addressed.
Water leaks into the trunk and floor pan are common, which can cause mold, rust, and electrical problems. This affects comfort and long-term durability.
Owners describe engine power loss, stalling, and smoke from the engine. These symptoms can leave you stranded and may indicate serious internal damage.
“HAVE A 2004 BONNEVILLE GXP AROUND THE 24,000 MILE MARK THE CAR SEEMED TO FALL APART. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STICKS, THE TRUNK STAYS FULL OF WATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN FILLS UP WITH WATER ONCE EVERY 4 MONTHS, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKIN…”
“POPPING IN STEERING - THE STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN AND THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD BY THE FIRST DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART BUT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER DAYS OF ARGUMENTS. WAS T…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Reports include rattling noises, rough transitions between gas and electric modes, and sudden power loss with multiple warning lights. These can be dangerous on the highway and costly to diagnose.
Owners report simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, as well as tire failures after TPMS warnings. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Complaints describe the system failing to prevent collisions or activating unexpectedly, even with adaptive cruise control set. This undermines a key safety feature and can distract the driver.
Issues include fuel pump problems and hybrid system faults that cause stalling or loss of power. These can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Pontiac Bonneville — 6 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUE…
The risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
The defect: ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUE…
The risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
The defect: 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.
The risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT R…
The defect: 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.
The risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT R…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Pontiac Bonneville or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Bonneville has fewer complaints per year (about 98.5) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452.4). However, the Accord's higher volume may reflect more vehicles on the road. In practice, the Bonneville's issues tend to be older-car problems like leaks and steering noises, while the Accord's complaints include serious safety failures like braking and power loss.
Key differences
- The Bonneville's top complaint is steering (123 complaints), with owners reporting popping and hard steering, while the Accord's top complaint is engine (1,006 complaints), including power loss and rattling.
- The Accord has far more crash-related complaints (162 vs 21) and injuries (146 vs 29), though it also has more vehicles on the road.
- The Bonneville has 6 recalls, including fuel tank and air bag issues, while the Accord has 38 recalls, covering hybrid software, tires, seat belts, and fuel pumps.
- Owners of the Bonneville report water leaks and electrical smoke, whereas Accord owners describe sudden braking failures and false collision warnings.
- Check for water leaks in the trunk and passenger floor pan, which can cause mold and electrical issues.
- Test the steering for popping noises or difficulty turning, as this is a common complaint.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems for any warning lights or failure symptoms, especially at highway speeds.
- Listen for engine rattling or rough transitions between electric and gas modes, which may indicate hybrid system problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if recalls were addressed, especially for fuel tank and air bag issues on the Bonneville and hybrid software on the Accord.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the Bonneville for popping noises and leaks.
- For the Accord, test drive at highway speeds to check for power loss, braking failures, and forward collision warnings.
- Check for water damage in the Bonneville's trunk and floor pans, and look for mold or rust.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed on both vehicles by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Pontiac Bonneville or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Bonneville vs Honda Accord
- Pontiac Bonneville total complaints
- 591
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Pontiac Bonneville total recalls
- 6
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Pontiac Bonneville avg complaints/year
- 98.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Bonneville
- Pontiac Bonneville top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE