IllustrationENGINE PLENUM CRACKED. SUCKED UP COOLANT/ANTI-FREEZE , ALMOST DESTROYING THE ENGINE BLOCK. *JB
1999 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
30–25K
1125–50K
2150–75K
1175–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
60 reports with mileage · 83 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 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports9 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
59 reportsTHE ENGINE'S PLENUM(SPELLING??) MANIFOLD STARTED LEAKING WATER. MY MECHANIC SAID IT HAD "WARPED". HE THEN TOLD ME THAT GM WAS HAVING QUITE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. HE SAID HE HAD REPLACED ABOUT 10 OF THESE SO FAR THIS YEAR. AND THAT HIS PART DISTRIBUTOR SAID THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON THIS PLENUM MANIFOLD. I CO…
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THE ENGINE'S PLENUM(SPELLING??) MANIFOLD STARTED LEAKING WATER. MY MECHANIC SAID IT HAD "WARPED". HE THEN TOLD ME THAT GM WAS HAVING QUITE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. HE SAID HE HAD REPLACED ABOUT 10 OF THESE SO FAR THIS YEAR. AND THAT HIS PART DISTRIBUTOR SAID THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON THIS PLENUM MANIFOLD. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM OR BACKORDERS ON THIS PART. WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT OTHER GM OWNERS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. THANKS
1999 BONNEVILLE; 58,000 MILES; IT HAD BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS -- ESPECIALLY DURING TURNS. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR LOSES POWER ON HWY 63; FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE MECHANIC REPORTS ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP BECAUSE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM …
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1999 BONNEVILLE; 58,000 MILES; IT HAD BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS -- ESPECIALLY DURING TURNS. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR LOSES POWER ON HWY 63; FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE MECHANIC REPORTS ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP BECAUSE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM BY GM OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE AND THUS DESTROYING THE ENGINE. TOTAL COSTS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, THE MANIFOLD AND DAMAGED THE STARTER AMOUNTED TO A REPAIR BILL OF $5300 AFTER A 10% EXISTING CUSTOMER DISCOUNT PLUS STATE TAXES. I CHECKED THE ODI DATABASES FOR '99 BONNEVILLE'S AND ALMOST A 1/3 OF THE 111 COMPLAINTS RELATE TO THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAD BEFORE MY CAR ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE ENGINE. DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A INJURY BEFORE THE NHTSA WILL ACT? WHY DID THE RECENT RECALL FOR THE 2000 AND NEWER MODELS NOT COVER THE 1999'S WHEN GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE SINCE THE 1995/96 MODEL YEAR? PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE 1999 COMPLAINTS HTTP://WWW.MISSOURI.EDU/~RYH352/2003/BONNE.HTM I, OF COURSE, WANT MY $5,300 RETURNED FROM GM. I ALSO THINK IT ONLY FAIR THAT THE RECALL EXTEND TO 1998 AND 1999 BONNEVILLE OWNERS WITH LESS THEN 100,000 MILES ON THEIR CAR AND GM REPAIR THOSE CARS FREE. *LA
MY CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY IN TOWN WHILE BRAKING OR TURNING, OR MERELY SLOWING DOWN. IT LURCHES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AT HIGHER SPEEDS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO DIE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES (DYING) AND 5 TIMES (LURCHING) IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MORE THAN 1 TIME AND CAN'T FIGURE O…
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MY CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY IN TOWN WHILE BRAKING OR TURNING, OR MERELY SLOWING DOWN. IT LURCHES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AT HIGHER SPEEDS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO DIE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES (DYING) AND 5 TIMES (LURCHING) IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MORE THAN 1 TIME AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT. HAVE CLEANED TERMINALS AND REPLACED CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *PH THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *SCC *JB
BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE @ LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. SHOP OWNER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON-VEHICLE STALLED. FOUND PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD BURNED. ENTIRE ENGINE FLOODED WITH ANTI-FREEZE. ESTIMATED ENGINE REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $2100.00. *AK
THERE IS A RECALL ON GM 3800 SERIES II ENGINES FOR YEARS 2000 AND ABOVE RELATING TO THE INTAKE PLENUM. THIS DEFECT CAUSES SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS. I TALKED WITH MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THIS EXACT DEFECT FREQUENTLY OCCURS IN 1998 AND 1999 YEAR AUTOS WHICH USE THE SAME ENGINE. MY 1999 BONNEVILLE HAS THIS PROBLEM …
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THERE IS A RECALL ON GM 3800 SERIES II ENGINES FOR YEARS 2000 AND ABOVE RELATING TO THE INTAKE PLENUM. THIS DEFECT CAUSES SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS. I TALKED WITH MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THIS EXACT DEFECT FREQUENTLY OCCURS IN 1998 AND 1999 YEAR AUTOS WHICH USE THE SAME ENGINE. MY 1999 BONNEVILLE HAS THIS PROBLEM WHICH WILL PROBABLY COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE NOT COVERING 1999 MODELS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THEM. *PH
I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND I NOTICED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WOULD NOT HOLD ANY COOLANT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUTTS MOTORS TO HAVE A BELT CHANGED AND THE COOLANT LEAK INVESTIGATED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THE UPPER MANIFOLD AND GASKET THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THOSE PARTS WERE…
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I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AND I NOTICED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WOULD NOT HOLD ANY COOLANT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUTTS MOTORS TO HAVE A BELT CHANGED AND THE COOLANT LEAK INVESTIGATED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THE UPPER MANIFOLD AND GASKET THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THOSE PARTS WERE PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID, "YES IT IS. IF YOU DON'T GET IT REPLACED YOU'LL BE SPILLING EMISSIONS ALL OVER THE PLACE." HE THEN QUOTED ME A HEFTY PRICE OF ALMOST $900.00 TO DO THE WORK. I TOLD HIM THAT I BELIEVED THAT THE UPPER MANIFOLD WHICH HE CONFIRMED WAS PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM SHOULD BE COVERED FOR 7 YEARS/70,000 MILES (FEDERAL EMISSIONS LAW). THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG GM ENGINES FROM 1995-1999. IT IS AN ISSUE COVERED IN THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO: 01-06-01-007A, DATED JULY 2001. IT STATES THAT, CONDITION: SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, OR AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK NEAR OR UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY AREA OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD." THEY CONTINUE," CAUSE: UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD COMPOSITE MATERIAL MAY DEGRADE AROUND THE EGR STOVE PIPE AND COULD RESULT IN AN INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK." THE EGR SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY ARE ALL COVERED UNDER EMISSIONS. THE SERVICEMAN AT BUTTS MOTORS TOLD ME BY PHONE ON 31 JULY 2003, THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, WHICH WAS, OF COURSE, EXPIRED. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN. I WANT GM TO COVER THE COST OF THE WARRANTED PARTS/LABOR FOR THIS REPAIR. THE FACT THAT THE GASKET IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THAT THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT "DEXCOOL" CORRODES THE PLASTIC IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A DOCUMENTED DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED FOR THE CONSUMER AT NO COST. I SENT THIS EXACT COMPLAINT STATEMENT TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I WANT GENERAL MOTORS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND RECTIFY ITS FAULTY PRODUCTS.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED. *PH
THE UPPER PLENUM DEVELOPED A HOLE THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO FLOW INTO THE EGR. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BY THE DEALER AND COULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE ENGINE. *NLM
Official recalls
304V090000 · 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.
99V089000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 26, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.
99V072000 · Wheels
Apr 12, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CHROME PLATED ALUMINUM WHEELS. SOME OF THESE WHEELS HAVE A MOUNTING SURFACE THAT WAS NOT MACHINED CORRECTLY, CAUSING THE WHEEL STUDS TO BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEELS AND REPLACE ALL WHEELS WITH DATE CODES INDICATING THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MACHINED CORRECTLY. THE WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS AT ANY LOCATION WHERE A SUSPECT WHEEL WAS INSTALLED WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
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
4EA07008 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jun 12, 2007 · Closed May 1, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
EA02030 · 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.
RQ99007 · Transmission Shift Lever Sequence
Opened May 26, 1999 · Closed Feb 8, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
No summary supplied.