← New search

2000 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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

116 reports with mileage · 98 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports21 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
126,000 miles · Nov 6, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #10247840

75,000 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Power Train

I HAVE HAD THE SAME ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID VALE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THERE WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT BACK IN THE CAR. I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT SO MANY REPAIRS TO THIS SAME PROBLEMS. NOT TO MENTION ALL SORTS OF OTHER REPAIRS. I THINK THIS CAR IS A LEMON . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10203256

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2007
Power Train

2002 BONNEVILLE WITH 81,284 MILES WENT INTO SERVICE 2/29/00. TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 3/15/2007. ALWAYS SERVICED AT PONTIAC DEALER AND NO PRIOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PONTIAC REFUSED ANY HELP WITH THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLENTIN ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185986

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2005
Power TrainSteering

OWNER OF 200 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, REQUESTING A DEFECT AND RECENT RECALL INVESTIGATION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS SEVERELY WORN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10108707

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING,THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKE, AND THE TRACK OFF LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS,AND ROTOR. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC TH…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING,THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKE, AND THE TRACK OFF LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS,AND ROTOR. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10096991

40,000 miles · Jul 13, 2004
Power Train

DURING "COLD" ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE IN THE 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RUNS SO SMOOTHLY THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL OR HEAR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. HOWEVER, DURING "HOT" ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SO ROUGHLY AND VIOLENTLY THAT IT IS S…

Read full complaint

DURING "COLD" ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE IN THE 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE RUNS SO SMOOTHLY THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL OR HEAR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. HOWEVER, DURING "HOT" ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SO ROUGHLY AND VIOLENTLY THAT IT IS STARTLING TO THE DRIVER AND IT SEEMS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. THE SHIFT IS VERY HARSH. IT BANGS, BUMPS, SHUDDERS, SLIPS, AND GRINDS ITS WAY UP AND DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS. IT IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE TRANSMISSION OR THE REST OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENSTANCE AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL AND REPAIR ANY AND ALL TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW AND MANUFACTURING FAILURE. (BECAUSE, IN MANY CASES, DRIVERS HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THEIR VEHICLE STOP DUE TO THE DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION.) A REMEDY HAS BEEN RELEASED...FIX THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID...WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER IS BILLED FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT CAN COST ABOVE $400.00. A MANUFACTURER DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED, REPAIRED, AND PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. DON'T LET THE MANUFACTURER GET AWAY WITH CHARGING CONSUMERS TO FIX A FLAW AND DEFECT THAT MOST LIKELY OCCURRED IN THE FACTORY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PRODUCTION. MY VEHICLE WAS "CHECKED" TWICE BY SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT...THIS TRANSMISSION IS A SPORT TRANSMISSION...IT WAS BUILT TO SHIFT WITH A "PUNCH." HOWEVER SPORTY A VEHICLE OR TRANSMISSION, A DRIVER SHOULD NOT FEEL AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WILL FALL OUT AS IT SHIFTS.*NOTE* IN THE "VEHICLE INFORMATION" SECTION, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT I NOTED THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 10 MPH AND AT 40,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS OCCURRING WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, SO I IMAGINE IT WAS OCCURRING BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10080922

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICE MY CAR "JERKS" WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075297

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Power Train

MY 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WAS HESITATING SLIGHTLY WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND OR 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. WHEN IT SHIFTED IT WAS JERKING SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS NOT NOTICEABLE WHEN CAR WAS COLD BUT OCCURRED WHEN WARMED UP. TRANSMISSION SHOP WANTED TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION FOR $2000. 2ND OPINION SAID TO TAKE TO DEALER TO HAVE "PROM …

Read full complaint

MY 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WAS HESITATING SLIGHTLY WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND OR 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. WHEN IT SHIFTED IT WAS JERKING SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS NOT NOTICEABLE WHEN CAR WAS COLD BUT OCCURRED WHEN WARMED UP. TRANSMISSION SHOP WANTED TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION FOR $2000. 2ND OPINION SAID TO TAKE TO DEALER TO HAVE "PROM RELFLASHED". DEALER SAID THERE'S A BULLETIN OUT TO FIX PROBLEM FOR $800 DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. GM SHOULD PUT OUT RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IF THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. IT SHOULDN'T COST ME $800 TO FIX THEIR DESIGN FLAW!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10060289

60,233 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainVisibility

1. RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AT 30 MONTHS, BUT 60,233 MILES. WINDOW HAD BEEN RAISED AND LOWERED LESS THAN 25 TIMES. PONTIAC AGREED TO 40% REIMBURSMENT. 2. AFTER 60K MI CHECK UP, CAR BEGAN SHIFTING VERY ROUGH. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 63,266 THEN OFF,NO PROBLEM, AGAIN AT 66237 IN SHOP NOW, WITH TWO TRANS DIAGNOTIC CO…

Read full complaint

1. RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AT 30 MONTHS, BUT 60,233 MILES. WINDOW HAD BEEN RAISED AND LOWERED LESS THAN 25 TIMES. PONTIAC AGREED TO 40% REIMBURSMENT. 2. AFTER 60K MI CHECK UP, CAR BEGAN SHIFTING VERY ROUGH. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 63,266 THEN OFF,NO PROBLEM, AGAIN AT 66237 IN SHOP NOW, WITH TWO TRANS DIAGNOTIC COMPUTER MSGS. WILL NOT KNOW COST UNTIL PROBLEM FOUND. BEFORE DEALER DID 60K CHECK UP WAS GETTING 29 MMG ON INTERSTATE, SINCE CHECK UP, GETTING 23-25MPG ON INTERSTATES. I BELIEVE DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN TWO, BUT I KNOW DEALER WILL NOT AGREE.

NHTSA ODI #10070229

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Power Train

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T FULLY ENGAGE WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A COLD START. HIGH LIKELY HOOD OF BEING BROADSIDED IF CAR SLOWLY MOVES 10 FEET THEN STOPS MOVING. 1ST REPORTED JUNE 04, 2001, 17100 MILES DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE. 2ND REPORT SEP 18 2001. 24167 MILES PROBLEM HAD PERSISTED, THEN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO …

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T FULLY ENGAGE WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A COLD START. HIGH LIKELY HOOD OF BEING BROADSIDED IF CAR SLOWLY MOVES 10 FEET THEN STOPS MOVING. 1ST REPORTED JUNE 04, 2001, 17100 MILES DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE. 2ND REPORT SEP 18 2001. 24167 MILES PROBLEM HAD PERSISTED, THEN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. DEALER FOUND INTERNAL DAMAGE WITH CARRIER BEARING. 3RD REPORT OCT 17 2002 38739 MILES COLD SHUDDER STILL OCCURS. DEALER FOUND DAMAGE WITH TORRINGTON BEARING OUT OF WARRANTY. GM COVERS MOST OF EXPENSE OWNER PAYS $600. 4TH REPORT NOV 4 2002 38897 MILES PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. DEALER REPLACES SELENOIDS AND VALVE ASSEMBLY COST IS COVERED BY GM. DEALER HAS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO ADDRESS ISSUES, BUT I FEEL THAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM FIRST OCCURED UNDER WARRANTY AND I SHOULD NOT NOW HAVE TO SHARE $600 OF THE REPAIR COST, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM IS SAFETY RELATED WITH A FORESEEABLE OF BROADSIDE ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I FEEL GM SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE $600, AND AGREE TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH NO FINANCIAL LOSS (BETTER THAN JUST A NORMAL BUY/SELL ARRANGEMENT) IF THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. DT

NHTSA ODI #769787

Official recalls

2

04V090000 · 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.

00V114000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Apr 17, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING, ANTILOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE IS ACTIVATED IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE FEATURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.

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

3

EA07008 · 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.