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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

What owners actually said

214 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2004
SteeringCrash

I FEEL THE RIGHT STEERING WHEEL CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, ON MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. IT IS CLOSER AND LONGER THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM ON THE LEFT. I REPORTED TO PONTIAC THAT ANY TIME I RAPIDLY STEER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, I HIT THIS ARM BEFORE THE WHEEL. THIS SLOWS MY RESPONSE AND STARTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS…

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I FEEL THE RIGHT STEERING WHEEL CONTROL ARM IS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, ON MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. IT IS CLOSER AND LONGER THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM ON THE LEFT. I REPORTED TO PONTIAC THAT ANY TIME I RAPIDLY STEER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, I HIT THIS ARM BEFORE THE WHEEL. THIS SLOWS MY RESPONSE AND STARTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I FIND THIS IS VERY BAD AT SUCH A TIME, HITTING THE ARM SLOWS MY RESPONSE AND THE DISTRACTION FROM THE WIPERS JUST ADDS TO THE PROBLEM. I SUGGEST THE ARM BE SHORTENED ABOUT 3/4 INCH, WITHDRAWING IT FROM THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND I HIT THE ARM. I CAN'T SAY I WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE ACCIDENT WITHOUT HITTING THE ARM. BUT I DISTINCTLY FEEL, HITTING IT SLOW MY ABILITY TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT, AND YES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE GOING WHEN THE CAR STOPPED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO PONTIAC, BUT EACH YEAR SINCE, THE ARM IS THE SAME. DO YOU HAVE STATISTICS OF HOW MANY TIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ENGAGED AFTER AN ACCIDENT? HAS ANYONE EVER TESTED IF THERE IS A CORRELATION OF IMPROPERLY PLACED CONTROL ARMS OR DEVICES, CAUSING OR MAKING ACCIDENTS MORE SEVERE? I CAN'T BELIEVE, I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO'S NOTICED THIS SAFETY FLAW, AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OTHER VEHICLES. BUT, I HIT THAT DANG WIPER ARM EVERY TIME IT'S TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. AND IT'S THE WORSE TIME TO HIT IT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO TEST MY DRIVING ABILITIES, I SUSPECT YOU'D FIND MY SKILLS ABOVE AVERAGE AT THE LEAST. AND IF I HIT IT, I DOUBT I'M ALONE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093461

90,000 miles · Oct 1, 2004
Visibility

THE BACK WINDOWS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094899

34,000 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Electrical System

DELCO BATTERY THAT COMES WITH THE VEHICLE HAS TWO OUTLETS WITH TWO BROKEN TERMINALS THAT LEAK, AND THE GAS THAT LEAKS. IT IS STORED UNDER THE BACK SEAT, WHICH ALSO STORES ALL THE ELECTRONIC RELAYS THAT WILL PRODUCE SPARKS AND CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, POSSIBLY STARTING A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094533

24,000 miles · Sep 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING STALLING PROBLEM AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10091829

30,000 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Steering

INCIDENT DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. I HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN MY STEERING AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE NOISE WAS BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN, THE TWO PIECES ARE CLUNKING TOGETHER. MADE THAT WAS IN CASE OF A CRASH. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD TAKE IT APART, GREASE…

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INCIDENT DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. I HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN MY STEERING AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE NOISE WAS BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN, THE TWO PIECES ARE CLUNKING TOGETHER. MADE THAT WAS IN CASE OF A CRASH. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD TAKE IT APART, GREASE IT AND THAT IT MIGHT NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT DONE. I TOLD THEM THAT BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SIMPLY THE TWO PIECES CLUNKING TOGETHER AND THAT IT WOULD NOT HURT ANYTHING I DID NOT GET THE LUBRICATION. NOW 8-30-2004 MY STEERING HOWLS SOMETIMES. I HAD MY BROTHER-IN-LAW CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS LOW. HE IS A MECHANIC OF OVER 25 YEARS AND STATES THAT POWER STEERING FLUID DOES NOT EVAPORATE AND MUST BE LEAKING AND MOST LIKELY INDICATE A GREATER PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE GROUND. I READ THE OTHERS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. MY HOPE IN WRITING IS THAT PONTIAC WILL STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088833

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. I OFTEN HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO START MY CAR. I SEE FROM THIS SITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS ON ALOT OF THE VEHICLES. I HAVE GAS BACKING UP INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM HOSE WHICH IS A SYMPTOM OF THIS. I PLAN ON CONTACTING THE …

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. I OFTEN HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO START MY CAR. I SEE FROM THIS SITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS ON ALOT OF THE VEHICLES. I HAVE GAS BACKING UP INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM HOSE WHICH IS A SYMPTOM OF THIS. I PLAN ON CONTACTING THE 800 #'S FROM THIS SITE ASAP SINCE A POSSIBLE OCCURENCE COULD BE THAT THE ENGINE CAN START ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083084

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2004
Steering

HERE AND FEEL A SLIGHT CLUNKING WHILE TURNING. I AM TOLD BY MY FATHER WHO REPLACED THE RACK ON HIS 2000 BONNEVILLE THAT IT IS THE RACK STARTING TO GO ON MY 2000 BONNEVILLE. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE $700(+) FOR PARTS ONLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083083

57,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES HUMMED WHENEVER THEY WERE DEPRESSED. ALSO, THREE OF THE POWER WINDOWS WERE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE REGULATOR SYSTEM GEARS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083943

22,000 miles · Jul 28, 2004
Steering

WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION STEERING PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083656

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…

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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

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.