NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
143 reports190,000 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE COASTED THE VEHICLE UP-HILL TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE COASTED THE VEHICLE UP-HILL TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10289095
218,657 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Electrical System
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHAT SO EVER INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HAD NO WAY OF INDICATING TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAD A PROBLEM. NO LIGHTS, NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO EMERGENCY FLASHERS. AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO APPX. 25 MPH, POWER CAME BAC…
Read full complaint
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHAT SO EVER INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HAD NO WAY OF INDICATING TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAD A PROBLEM. NO LIGHTS, NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO EMERGENCY FLASHERS. AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO APPX. 25 MPH, POWER CAME BACK ON. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE IT HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258626
40,000 miles · Sep 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
G.M RECALL # 040V09000 WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ON JULY 2004. FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE PART HAS FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CONTACTED PONTIAC AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE PART. PONTIAC HAS INFORMED ME THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PART AS THE CAR IS OUT…
Read full complaint
G.M RECALL # 040V09000 WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ON JULY 2004. FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE PART HAS FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CONTACTED PONTIAC AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE PART. PONTIAC HAS INFORMED ME THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PART AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE PART WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 2004. IS GM ONLY REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE PART ONE TIME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243472
63,000 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. IN 2003, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BLOWN THE GASKET. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ITSELF. IN 2005, THE FUEL PRESSURE R…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. IN 2003, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BLOWN THE GASKET. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ITSELF. IN 2005, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR SWITCH BLEW OUT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW DUE TO LEAKAGE OF FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER SWITCH WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. HE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO PREVENT IT FROM DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10235121
74,301 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLASTIC ENGINE INTAKE PLENUM ASSY MELTDOWN CAUSING COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS OF ENGINE. ORIGINAL INCIDENT IDENTIFIED TO POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO 1ST CYLINDER. PLENUM ASSY REPLACED WITH METAL SLEEVE WHICH MECHANIC CLAIMED WAS SUPERIOR TO ORIGINAL MFG PART. PRIOR DAMAGE TO 1ST AND 2ND CYLINDERS BECAME PERMANENT MONTHS LATER WHEN ENGINE …
Read full complaint
PLASTIC ENGINE INTAKE PLENUM ASSY MELTDOWN CAUSING COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS OF ENGINE. ORIGINAL INCIDENT IDENTIFIED TO POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO 1ST CYLINDER. PLENUM ASSY REPLACED WITH METAL SLEEVE WHICH MECHANIC CLAIMED WAS SUPERIOR TO ORIGINAL MFG PART. PRIOR DAMAGE TO 1ST AND 2ND CYLINDERS BECAME PERMANENT MONTHS LATER WHEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. RESEARCHED RECALL DATA AND FOUND NOTHING TO DATE. MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM IS FREQUENT AND KNOWN BY MANUFACTURER FOR LONG TIME. CONTACTED GM AND WAS REFUSED ANY TYPE OF COMPENSATION. RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA A FOUND AN UNBELIEVABLE LARGE VOLUME OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. INTEND TO CALL NHTSA DIRECT AND FIND OUT STATUS OF LARGE COMPLAINT BASE WITH NO ACTION. INTEND TO CONTACT ALL OTHERS FILING COMPLAINTS FOR DEFINITE IMMEDIATE CLASS ACTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216339
105,183 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
WAS GETTING A GASOLINE SMELL AND TOOK CAR IN FOR THE PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL, DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THE REGULATOR BUT FUEL LINE. THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD AND THEN BILL WAS $950, ALMOST $100 MORE THAT QUOTE AND DID NOT RECEIVE PARTS BACK SHOWING THE PROBLEM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10185256
61,800 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Power Train
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB ON THE 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LETTER INDICATORS P- PARK R- REVERSE N- NEUTRAL D- DRIVER AND L- LOW MIGHT DIFFER FROM THE ACTUAL GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION, IF THE CONTACT SELECTSEDDRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACTUALLY BE I…
Read full complaint
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB ON THE 1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LETTER INDICATORS P- PARK R- REVERSE N- NEUTRAL D- DRIVER AND L- LOW MIGHT DIFFER FROM THE ACTUAL GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION, IF THE CONTACT SELECTSEDDRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS SOMETIMES UNABLE TO START VEHICLE BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE IS WAS PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB, AND STATED IT WAS NOT ENGAGING CORRECTLY. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB WAS REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB FAILED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND BOTH INFORMED HER THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 61800 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10183651
131,585 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Air BagsInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND GETTING OFF AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMPACT ANY OBJECT ON THE ROAD PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO TH…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND GETTING OFF AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMPACT ANY OBJECT ON THE ROAD PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE UNWARRANTED DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR LIP INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, DETERMINED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO GET WET, AND THEREFORE SET OFF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAG. THE DEALERSHIP DISCONNECTED THE AIRBAG. THERE WERE NO PICTURES OR POLICE REPORTS TAKEN. A REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE DISCONNECTION OF THE AIRBAG WAS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10167640
40,000 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FRACTURED A YEAR AGO WHEN THE CAR HAD 40,000 MILES. THE FRACTURE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CONSTITUTED A LEAK AND AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE ENGINE RAN VERY INEFFICIENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED 3 TIMES TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS PAID BY THE CONTACT. UPDA…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FRACTURED A YEAR AGO WHEN THE CAR HAD 40,000 MILES. THE FRACTURE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CONSTITUTED A LEAK AND AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE ENGINE RAN VERY INEFFICIENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED 3 TIMES TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS PAID BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 8/30/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164430
80,551 miles · Jun 30, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
NOTICED SMELL OF GAS WHEN AUTO PARKED IN GARAGE..FURTHER INVESTIGATION NOTED THAT FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINE..TOOK AUTO TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL LINES HAVE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE LEAKS..WHILE I HAVE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH FUEL LEAKS FROM LOOSE CONNECTIONS, I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW FUEL LINES CAN NOT BEEN BUILT TO …
Read full complaint
NOTICED SMELL OF GAS WHEN AUTO PARKED IN GARAGE..FURTHER INVESTIGATION NOTED THAT FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINE..TOOK AUTO TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL LINES HAVE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE LEAKS..WHILE I HAVE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH FUEL LEAKS FROM LOOSE CONNECTIONS, I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW FUEL LINES CAN NOT BEEN BUILT TO LAST. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161164
Official recalls
3Feb 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.
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.
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.