IllustrationINTAKE MANIFOLD AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILURE. *BF THE RECALLED COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUEMR PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS ONLY OFFERED A PARTIAL REFUND. *NM
1998 Pontiac Bonneville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bonneville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1325–50K
5050–75K
2975–100K
18100–150K
3150K+
117 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports28 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
277 reports1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD. $900.00 DAMAGE. SUMMER 2004 WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. IF ALREADY OCCURRED, SEND BILLS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. WE RECEIVED A CHECK FOR ONLY $82! GENERAL MOTORS IS AT FAULT FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. YET THEY ONLY PAID FOR THE PART, NOT THE DAMAGE IT CAUSED.*JB
1998-BONNEVILLE 70,000 MILES. STARTED STALLING INTERMITTENTLY ON ONE OCCASION, GOT CAR TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE UPPER PLENUM HAD A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH IT. HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER MANIFOLD BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. $910.00 LATER IT IS FIXED. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF TH…
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1998-BONNEVILLE 70,000 MILES. STARTED STALLING INTERMITTENTLY ON ONE OCCASION, GOT CAR TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE UPPER PLENUM HAD A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH IT. HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER MANIFOLD BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. $910.00 LATER IT IS FIXED. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND KNOW OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WONDERING WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO CALL FOR A RECALL??????*AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEMS. *BF THERE WAS AN EGR PASSAGE THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. OVER TIME, HOT GASES FROM THE EGR SYSTEM PASSED BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE PASSAGE WAY WALLS INTO THE SURROUNDING WATER JACKET. RECALL# 04V090000. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND WAS TOWED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE FAILED. *AK THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED. WHILE IN MOTION, ABOUT 2 MILES AT 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT …
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WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE FAILED. *AK THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED. WHILE IN MOTION, ABOUT 2 MILES AT 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER FOUND THAT FUEL LEAKED AND RUPTURED THE MANIFOLD. RECALL#04V090000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT IN REFERENCE TO HER VEHICLE. *SC *JB THE CONSUMER SENT IN A THANK YOU NOTE AFTER RECIEVING HER RECALL NOTICE. *TC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED AND TURNED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED. WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK AROUND THE EGR LOCATED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK
I PUSHED THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THERE WAS THIS SMALL POP NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND LOOKED INTO THE VENT AND SAW A FIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES HIGH. I GOT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND BY THE TIME T…
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I PUSHED THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THERE WAS THIS SMALL POP NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND LOOKED INTO THE VENT AND SAW A FIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES HIGH. I GOT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE (7 MIN LATER) THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT HE RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY ONLY REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER THE AMOUNT THAT PERTAINED TO THE RECALL. OUT OF 834.60 FOR REPAIRS TH…
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THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT HE RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY ONLY REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER THE AMOUNT THAT PERTAINED TO THE RECALL. OUT OF 834.60 FOR REPAIRS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED 97.92. RECALL#04V090000. *JB
Official recalls
104V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
Feb 24, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.