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2001 Pontiac Bonneville

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 38 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.

  • Steering. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports20 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

129 reports
197,313 miles · Oct 29, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFireInjury

ON OCTOBER 27,2011 I CAME ON FROM WORK AROUND 7:00 PM TURN MY CAR OF AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. I HEARD SOME ONE BAMMING ON THE BACK DOOR , I OPEN THE DOOR AND A GUY SAID THAT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE HE ASKED IF I HAD ANY ON ELSE IN THE HOUSE I TOLD HIM YES SO I GO INSIDE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT THE HOUSE. THAT IS WHEN I SAW THE SAM…

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ON OCTOBER 27,2011 I CAME ON FROM WORK AROUND 7:00 PM TURN MY CAR OF AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. I HEARD SOME ONE BAMMING ON THE BACK DOOR , I OPEN THE DOOR AND A GUY SAID THAT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE HE ASKED IF I HAD ANY ON ELSE IN THE HOUSE I TOLD HIM YES SO I GO INSIDE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT THE HOUSE. THAT IS WHEN I SAW THE SAME GUY WHO WAS KNOCK ON THE DOOR USE MY HOSE PIPE SPRAYING WATER ON THE CAR. AT THAT TIME I CALLED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THEY ADVISE ME THAT THE PLAQUEMINE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THERE WAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE REST OF THE FIRE OUT. ONE OF THE FIRE FIGHTER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433516

110,000 miles · Dec 5, 2010
Steering

STEERING SHAFT ON MY 2001 BONNEVILLE SSEI MAKING GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. THE SOUND IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS BELOW 20 MPH. I HAVE HEAD FROM OTHER BONNEVILLE OWNERS THIS IS AN ONGOING EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT SEEMS TO BE FLAWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369225

72,154 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT STARTS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T YOU MAY HAVE TO SIT THERE OVER FIVE MINUTES TURNING KEY ON AND OFF AND FINALLY IT WILL START SOMETIMES TAKING UP TO 10 TRIES BEFORE IT STARTS OTHER TIMES IT WILL START AFTER 2 I WILL BE DRIV…

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MY 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT STARTS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T YOU MAY HAVE TO SIT THERE OVER FIVE MINUTES TURNING KEY ON AND OFF AND FINALLY IT WILL START SOMETIMES TAKING UP TO 10 TRIES BEFORE IT STARTS OTHER TIMES IT WILL START AFTER 2 I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIGHWAYS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL JUST TURN OFF IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AGAIN HOWEVER DOING THIS AT THE WRONG TIME AND CERTAIN DISASTER WILL ARRIVE EITHER ANOTHER CAR HITTING ME WHILE I AM SITTING STILL OR MANY WRECKS BEING CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366793

52,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010
Visibility

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS JUST DRIVING TO WORK I WENT TO LOWER THE REAR WINDOW HEARD A NOISE AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. I TRIED TO SHUT IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK AND I ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WITH MY BABY GRANDDAUGHTER …

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FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS JUST DRIVING TO WORK I WENT TO LOWER THE REAR WINDOW HEARD A NOISE AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. I TRIED TO SHUT IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK AND I ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WITH MY BABY GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE WINDOW ON THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. DIFFERENCE HERE IT WAS A COLD DAY IN MAINE AND MY 16 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. TRIED TO GET IT CLOSED BUT IT WOULD FALL RIGHT BACK DOWN. I HAD TO GET THE PARENTS TO COME GET THE BABY BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO COLD FOR ME TO DRIVE HER HOME WITH THE WIND COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW I NOW HAVE 62,331 MILES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, ALL 2001 BONNEVILLES SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND HAVE THE WINDOWS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10366061

120,000 miles · May 16, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

BATTERY DEAD, CHARGED THE CAR, STARTED IT UP...THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE(PLENUM). INS AGENT SAID IT WAS THE PLENUM AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. GM IS LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330629

94,000 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE "BATTERY" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE "BATTERY" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES CONTINUED AND THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10302950

93,767 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN, AND SEVERAL PIPING COMPONENTS AT THE COST OF $1,400. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE; HOWEVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN, AND SEVERAL PIPING COMPONENTS AT THE COST OF $1,400. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK COOLANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT A COOLANT ELBOW PIPE HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF PLACE, WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE FOR THE SECOND TIME AT THE COST OF $10, DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INITIAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,767 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 105,000. UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF THE FRONT PASSENGER ELECTRIC WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10274226

65,000 miles · Jun 13, 2009
StructureVisibility

WHEN THE REAR WINDOW MOTOR OF 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILS, IT CAUSES THE WINDOW TO LOWER EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN THE FULLY RAISED POSITION. THE WINDOW POSITION WAS NOT BEING CHANGED AT THE TIME. IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN CLUNK SOUND FROM THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, ON…

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WHEN THE REAR WINDOW MOTOR OF 2001 BONNEVILLE FAILS, IT CAUSES THE WINDOW TO LOWER EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN THE FULLY RAISED POSITION. THE WINDOW POSITION WAS NOT BEING CHANGED AT THE TIME. IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN CLUNK SOUND FROM THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW WENT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, ON THE INTERSTATE WITH INFANT IN THE REAR SEAT. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A MINOR ITEM, BUT IF WE HAD BEEN IN A NORTH DAKOTA SNOW STORM, TEMP. OF 5 DEGREES AND WIND CHILLS EVEN WORSE.. THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. THE WINDOW SHOULD BE DESIGNED REMAIN IN IT'S SELECTED POSITION IN THE EVENT OF MOTOR FAILURE. THE SECOND REAR WINDOW FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST..NO BABY ON BOARD THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273704

81,821 miles · May 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 3.8 V6 GM ENGINES. AT THE TIME, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 ONLY APPLIED TO PONTIAC GR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 3.8 V6 GM ENGINES. AT THE TIME, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 ONLY APPLIED TO PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S, NOT BONNEVILLES. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. SHE FEELS THAT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,821. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10268505

120,000 miles · Apr 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS RUPTURED. THE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS RUPTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXLCUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 5/7/09 *CN UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10266049

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

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.