1995 Pontiac Bonneville Engine Problems

I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED HARD AS IF IT WASN'T MOVING AND MY CAR JUST KEPT MOVING FORWARD RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE FLUID LEVEL LOOKED OKAY MAYBE DOWN A LITTLE. HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND HAD THE BRAKES RECENTLY CHECKED BY LEW SCWAB TIRES BRAKES NEW BRAKE SHOES FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OKAY

NHTSA ID

11398467

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

Mileage

168,445 mi

1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AT ANY SPEED, USUALLY DURING WARMER WEATHER, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THE CAR USUALLY WOULD NOT START FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, STRANDING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE REPLACED A "FUNCTIONING" YET DEFECTIVE TPS (THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR) THAT DID NOT MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT OF REGISTERING A CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10394113

Incident

Apr 3, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi

IN FEBRUARY 2010, DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ON BUMPY BLACKTOP, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER CAR CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TOWED FROM SCENE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT 4 (REAR) OF 6 BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE CRADLE TO UNI-BODY FRAME PULLED THROUGH RUSTED RETAINERS. ALL (6) BOLTS, RETAINERS, SPACERS AND INSULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS REATTACHED AND THE CLOCK SPRING COIL KIT WAS REPLACED (CLOCK SPRING WAS TORN WHEN STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED). THIS INCIDENT CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED. TOWING, REPAIRS AND PARTS COST $805.14. 4 MONTHS LATER THE STEERING RACK WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $450. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RETAINED BUT PHOTOS OF THE BOLTS IN THE FRAME WITH THE ENGINE SUB FRAME HANGING ARE AVAILABLE. NATURALLY THE RETAINERS THAT FAILED ARE GONE BECAUSE THEY FELL OFF WHEN THEY FAILED. THE ENGINE DID NOT FALL ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 2 FRONT BOLTS WERE STILL INTACT AND THE UPPER ENGINE MOUNT HELD THE ENGINE SUB FRAME 2" ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352248

Incident

Feb 15, 2010

Mileage

139,600 mi

FAILURE OF THE PLENUM, INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249945

Incident

Nov 15, 1999

Mileage

57,000 mi

CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START BUT 99% OF TIME CAR HAS TO SIT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL START. IF CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN YOU TRY TO START IT BACK UP IT WON'T START. DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF ANYONE COULD LET ME KNOW HOW TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224773

Incident

Apr 15, 2008

DRIVING AT 65 MPH. EXHAUST SUDDENLY BEGAN SPEWING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE, WHICH BLINDED MANY OTHER MOTORISTS MOVING AT THE SAME SPEED. ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. HEAD GASKETS WERE CHANGED, AS WERE ALL OTHERS NEEDED TO DO THIS REPAIR. UPON RE-FILLING THE RADIATOR WITH ANTIFREEZE, IT BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS YET ANOTHER CASE OF THE UPPER INTAKE TUNNEL (PLASTIC) HAVING FAILED. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED, AND DUE TO THE HUGE NUMBERS OF THESE NEEDING TO BE MANUFACTURED AND SOLD, THE PRICE HAS BEEN REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE OLD PART HAD TO BE TURNED IN TO THE DEALER AS A 'CORE' ITEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10164522

Incident

Oct 18, 2005

Mileage

178,004 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10101875

Incident

Nov 30, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE PRODUCED SMOKE AND IT OVERHEATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10087757

Incident

Jul 25, 2004

Mileage

143,605 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER IN 2001 IN MICHIGAN. (I DON'T THINK THE AIR CONDITIONING EVER WORKED ). WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE TRACTION CONTROL WENT OUT. IT WOULD BE ON, WHEN THE CAR STARTED, BUT WITHIN DRIVING 300FT. WOULD GO OUT AND COULD NOT BE TURNED BACK ON FROM THE BUTTON. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN EVER YOU TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. THIS WAS DUE TO A BAD SWITCH & A SHORT. THEN THE CRUSE CONTROL WENT OUT. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS DUE TO THE ENGINE OVER HEATING BY AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. 1 MONTH AFTER THAT WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER THROWING A ROD AND CRACKING THE ENGINE BLOCK, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS STILL FLUIND IN THE ENGINE FROM MELTED MANAFOLD.( THIS ALL TOOK PLACE BETWEEN NOV. 2001 & JAN. 2002) AFTER THAT THE IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ONE OF THE WIRES WAS SEVERED DUE TO THE WHEEL TILT. (WE WOULD TILT THE WHEEL & COULD NOT START THE CAR). IN NOV. 2002 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, WE HAD IT REPLACED. THEN ALL AT ONE TIME (2003) THE BATTERY WENT DEAD, THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED A TOOTH, THE CAM SENSOR, AND THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH HAD BEEN CHANGED A FEW WEEKS BEFORE. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AGAIN DUE TO A LEAK IN THE COOLANT RESOVOIR BOTTEL, THIS CAUSED THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW AGAIN. IT IS NOW 2004 WE HAVE AN ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SINCE MID 2003 WE HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 PCM & 3 PROMS DUE TO THE FACT THE THEY KEPT FRYING ( A RESULT OF A BAD GROUND THAT STILL CAN NOT BE FOUND), AN ALTANATOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HAD SPIKES. THE CHECK ENGING LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON & WHEN THE CODES WERE PULLED THE EGR VLAVE WAS LISTED, WE REPLACED IT AND STILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A STILL BAD PCM. NOW WHENEVER WE TURN ON THE BLINKER THE VOLTAGE GAGE MOVES IN TIME WITH IT DUE TO A SHORT. THE RPM'S SURGE AT TIMES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION OR AT IDLE, CAUSING THE CAR TO SATLL OR BACKFIRE. THE CAUSE IS STILL UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10074652

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

71,000 mi

THE ELECTONIC CLIMATE CONTROL ON MY 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS STOPPED WORKING....I GET NO COOLING, ONLY HOT AIR ALL THE TIME WHETHER THE CONTROL IS SET ON AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND OR IF I JUST WANT TO RECEIVE FRESH OUTSIDE AIR.*AK

NHTSA ID

10064012

Incident

Jun 5, 2003

AUTOMOBILE STOPS WITH NO WARNING LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING. SOMETIMES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED ON OTHER SITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL. HOPEFULLY NO ONE HAS TO GET INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10062493

Incident

Mar 16, 2004

AS STATED MANY TIMES HERE-UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED AROUND METAL HEAT RISER TUBE, LEAKING WATER INTO CYLINDERS CAUSING A VAPOR LOCK IN CYLINDERS. THIS PROBLEM IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED AS HEAD CRAKED OR GASKET FAILURE. THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD MELTS OR CHAFES AROUND TUBE CAUSING A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEALED WATER JACKET IN THE MANIFOLD. WATER WILL DIRECTLY LEAK INTO CYLINDER HEADS. VERY EASY FIX AND A GOOD UPPER MANIFOLD FROM A JUNKYARD WILL RUN AROUND 100 AS OPPOSED TO A NEW ENGINE!*AK

NHTSA ID

10059026

Incident

May 21, 2002

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ~76,000 MILES. REPLACED AT GM DEALER WITH A REMANUFACTURED GM UNIT. 06/23/2001. BRAKE FAILURE - WARNING LIGHT AT 81,728 MILES. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS. ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEHAVED STRANGELY AT TIMES BUT HAVE NEVER FAILED TO STOP THE CAR IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE. 09/22/2001. ENGINE FAILURE AT 82,449 MILES. REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED AT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR $1400.00. . REPAIR LEAKING GENUINE GM REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. SIDE COVER LEAKS SEVERELY, DEALER ADVISES OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD AND REPAIR COST OF $300+ FOR SIDE PAN GASKET. PROBLEM SOLVED AT LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP (MR. TRANSMISSION) FOR $92.95. IN ADDITION THE FOLLOWING NO LONGER FUNCTION OR FUNCTION IMPROPERLY: FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, REFILL BASED ON MILEAGE DRIVEN. ALSO THE FUEL PUMP WHINES VERY NOTICEABLY, CAN BE HEARD PLAINLY IN THE VEHICLE OVER THE RADIO. COST FOR REPAIR OF BOTH AT DEALER: $600+ DEPENDING ON PARTS REQUIRED. STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE RADIO DO NOT FUNCTION. AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROL WILL NOT TURN HEADLIGHTS OFF AFTER TURNING THEM ON. RESULT - BATTERY REPLACEMENT. NOW LEAVE THE CONTROL IN THE OFF POSITION. SPRING LOADED CENTER CONSOLE DOOR LATCH FAILED CAUSING CONSOLE DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN. REPLACED CONSOLE DOOR AND TWO VENTS THAT HAD BROKEN FOR $124.66. CONSOLE DOOR LATCH FAILED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER (SAME FAILURE). REMOVED DOOR SPRING SO DOOR NOW STAYS CLOSED. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK JAMS WHEN USING KEY FOB, HAVE TO USE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. NO LONGER USE KEY FOB, DOOR UNLOCKS PROPERLY WHEN USING THE KEY. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR THE PAINT HAS BEGAN TO PEEL ON THE TOP OF THE REAR QUARTER PANELS AND ROOF. I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND WENT TO RETRIEVE THE JACK, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE JACK IS STORED IN A PLASTIC CASE THAT IS BOLTED TO A BRACKET. ONLY ONE WELD WAS MADE DURING MANUFACTURE ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO BREAK LOOSE. THE JACK CASE NOW JUST LIES IN TRUNK.

NHTSA ID

10070481

Incident

Apr 15, 2002

Mileage

82,449 mi

GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 01-06-01-007A IDENTIFIES AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW ON THE 3.8 L ENGINE (VIN K - RPO L36) AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: 1995-1997 BUICK RIVIERA 1995-1998 BUICK LESABRE, PARK AVENUE 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO 1995-1996 OLDSMOBILE NINETY-EIGHT 1995-1998 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY-EIGHT 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1995-1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GM MINIMIZES THE IMPACT OF THE PROBLEM BY IDENTIFYING ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS AS OWNER COMPLAINING OF A SMALL COOLANT LEAK. THE FACT IS THAT IN MOST CASES THE LEAK IS NOT VISIBLE. THE COOLANT TYPICALLY LEAKS INTERNALLY BY THE EGR STOVE PIPE INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE IT BUILDS UP. EVENTUALLY THE COOLANT LEVEL IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RISES TO THE POINT WHERE THE COOLANT WILL GET SUCKED INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. IN LESS SEVERE CASES, WHEN IT HAPPENS AT IDLE OR LOW RPM, THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND STALL. IN THE MOST SEVERE CASES, WHEN IT HAPPENS AT HIGH RPM, THE HAMMERING EFFECT OF THE ENGINE TRYING TO COMPRESS A LIQUID, CAUSES THE AFFECTED PISTON TO SHATTER (MY CASE). THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH (MY CASE) THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO PASSENGERS. I WAS LUCKY, BUT I STILL HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE AT MY EXPENSE. I COULD NOT AFFORD WHAT GM CHARGED FOR A NEW ENGINE. GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. GM REPAIR CENTERS ARE ATTRIBUTING THE FAILURE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND ARE CHARGING OWNERS TO REPLACE THE FLAWED PARTS WITH THE NEW DESIGN. I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF VEHICLES COMING IN WITH THE SAME FAILURE, THE LESS SEVERE CASE BEING THE MOST COMMON.. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM CALLS FOR A RECALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE FLAWED PARTS. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD PARTIALLY REIMBURSE ME FOR MY EXPENSES RELATED TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

10069619

Incident

Jan 15, 2003

Mileage

109,644 mi

AUTO ENGINE CUTS OUT WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTS WITH NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, LOSS OF POWER CUTS OUT POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC. *LA

NHTSA ID

10049303

Incident

Dec 5, 2003

Mileage

127,950 mi

I HAVE A 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WHICH I PURCHASED USED FROM JIM CULLIGAN GM PONTIAC IN 1996. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE ONLY ONE MONTH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON IT. IT IS OBVIOUS THE DEALER KNEW OF THIS WHEN IT WAS SOLD. THIS GASKET ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 39000 AND 43000 MILES AND A HISTORY NOTE OF IT WAS MADE. GM HAS NOW REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS CHRONICALLY DEFECT PROBLEM AT THE 65000 MILE AND 84000 MILE LEVELS. THE CURRENT GASKET NEEDED REPLACING WITH ONLY 22000 MILES ON IT. THIS TYPE OF PART SHOULD NOT GO THIS FREQUENTLY AND PREVENTS A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE OIL LEAK OUT AND CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. GM IS TRYING TO SAY THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS 84000 MILES ON IT THEY WILL NOT PAY. HOWEVER THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AFTER ONLY 22000 MILES ON IT. IT IS CLEAR THAT GM IS ACTING IN BAD FAITH AND MS DESIREE RICHARDSON AT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MOIZ AHMAD THE AREA SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO ACCEPT THIS PROBLEM. MR AHMAD WILL NOT EVEN GIVE ME THE COURTESY OF A CALL TO SHOW HIM THE DOCUMENTATION I HAVE AND EXPLAIN HIS DECISION. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO HAVE ALL ADVISED ME GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH EVEN MORE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $300 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THIS INTAKE MANIFOLD ONCE AND AM NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO DO IT AGAIN. THIS IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON MY FAMILY AND VERY UNETHICAL ON GM'S PART TO NOT OWN UP TO THIS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AND BE RESPONSIBLE. YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.J.PIERINO. *LA

NHTSA ID

10045187

Incident

Sep 15, 2003

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED WATER INTO THE MOTOR AND CAUSED IT TO LOCK UP. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FELT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A LEMON. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10024982

Incident

Jun 1, 2003

Mileage

104,000 mi

GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 01-06-01-007A IDENTIFIES AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW ON THE 3.8 L ENGINE (VIN K - RPO L36) AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES:995-1997 BUICK RIVIERA995-1998 BUICK LESABRE, PARK AVENUE. *AK 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO 1995-1996 OLDSMOBILE NINETY-EIGHT 1995-1998 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY-EIGHT 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1995-1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GM MINIMIZES THE IMPACT OF THE PROBLEM BY IDENTIFYING ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS AS OWNER COMPLAINING OF A SMALL COOLANT LEAK. THE FACT IS THAT IN MOST CASES THE LEAK IS NOT VISIBLE. THE COOLANT TYPICALLY LEAKS INTERNALLY BY THE EGR STOVE PIPE INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE IT BUILDS UP. EVENTUALLY THE COOLANT LEVEL IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RISES TO THE POINT WHERE THE COOLANT WILL GET SUCKED INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. IN LESS SEVERE CASES, WHEN IT HAPPENS AT IDLE OR LOW RPM, THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND STALL. IN THE MOST SEVERE CASES, WHEN IT HAPPENS AT HIGH RPM, THE HAMMERING EFFECT OF THE ENGINE TRYING TO COMPRESS A LIQUID, CAUSES THE AFFECTED PISTON TO SHATTER (MY CASE). THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH (MY CASE) THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO PASSENGERS. I WAS LUCKY, BUT I STILL HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE AT MY EXPENSE. GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. GM REPAIR CENTERS ARE ATTRIBUTING THE FAILURE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND ARE CHARGING OWNERS TO REPLACE THE FLAWED PARTS WITH THE NEW DESIGN. I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF VEHICLES COMING IN WITH THE SAME FAILURE, THE LESS SEVERE CASE BEING THE MOST COMMON. THEY COMMONLY JUST DRAIN THE AFFECTED CYLINDERS AND REPLACE THE FLAWED PARTS WITH THE NEW DESIGN. I ASKED HIM HOW DID HE KNOW IF THE AFFECTED PISTON HAD BEEN DAMAGED CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LATER ON. HE DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER.

NHTSA ID

10025956

Incident

Jan 28, 2003

Mileage

109,644 mi

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE CONSUMER COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE DRIVERS HUSBAND. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS DECLINED ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 96V116000 BUT WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT FIT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. *M *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ID

10026609

Incident

Apr 24, 2003

VEHICLE LOOSING COOLANT FLUID, HAVING TO REPLACE FLUID ON A DAILY BASIS, GOING TO TAKE IN FOR REPAIRS AND SEEN A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10017048

Incident

May 1, 2003

Mileage

120,000 mi

ENGINE FAILURE CYLINDERS FILLING WITH COOLANT. TALKED WITH SEVERAL INDEPENDENT GARAGES AND THEY SAY IT'S A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 3800 V6. SPOKE WITH PONTIAC DEALER IN GAINESVILLE GA. ACCORDING TO PARTS/SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE ARE NO TECH BULLETINS RELEASED FROM GM. WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS RE: 1995 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE'S 3800 V6'S. ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT GARAGE THE INTAKE GASKET AND HEAD GASKETS FAILURES. THE CAR ALSO HAS A WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AND TRUNK AS WELL, APPEARS TO LEAKED SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED. I OWNED AN OLDSMOBILE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 1992 AND THE FACTORY DIDN'T SEAL THE COWL AREA PROPERLY WHEN THE CAR WAS ASSEMBLED. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT! *JB

NHTSA ID

10014204

Incident

Apr 8, 2003

Mileage

11,700 mi

CONSUMER STATES UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING A EXPLOSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS REFERENCED IN EA02-030

NHTSA ID

10004618

CONSUMER STATES THAT UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED WHILE DRIVING. ALL COOLANT DUMPED LEAKED INTO INTAKE OF ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE ENGINE. TS

NHTSA ID

8023768

Incident

Oct 1, 2001

WHILE DRIVING INTAKE MANIFOLD CORRODED, CAUSING A HOLE TO FORM. AS A RESULT, ENGINE LEAKED. *AK

NHTSA ID

8019020

Incident

Sep 12, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WON'T START AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. IF I WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES IT WILL START RIGHT UP. ALSO IT STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING EITHER IN TOWN OR ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK

NHTSA ID

766523

Incident

Aug 31, 2002