1996 Pontiac Bonneville: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 15, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · TX

This car belongs to my elderly mother which she bought used and has been an on going problem! Occasionally when starting the car, the engine will backfire, after starting it would run ok. The car now does not run as the intake manifold is broken from the backfiring and almost caught on fire the last time it was attempted to start the motor! According to pontiac there is no recall on this car by the VIN number!!

Filed Jan 6, 2004 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · CA

This car was purchased in jun of 1996 and recall was issued jun 1996. So why weren't we told of this problem before the purchase. Dealership greed . When starting my 1996 pontiac bonneville, 3.8l v6, it backfired and lots of white smoke came from the muffler. I called a tow truck to pick up the car and take it to the pontiac dealer where they proceeded to inform me a few hours later that it had a cracked intake manifold which allowed water to get into the motor. I was told that we had already taken the car in for the recall, but I didn't recall doing that. And dealership has not provided me with proof that the recall was done and done with the redesigned parts recommended by gm. Gm knew of this on going problem, they installed the same faulty parts again and the problem reared its ugly head again. The dealership advised us that we would need to spend $1000.00 to repair the car. But they could not garantee that the car would not blow the motor or crack another intake manifold. There are 275,811 bonnevilles with this problem and gm still does nothing to fix the problem. Maybe making the part out of something else other than plastic might help. Meanwhile people like myself and other middle class amercians are paying through the nose to fix their cars with the problem only going to happen again. I can't see why there isn't a class action suit agaist gm it has been 8 years and the problem still exist. I have seen where they have replaced some motors for some customers, so why not take responsibility and replace the manifold or motor where it is warrented for all people that are having problems. This expense should be on gm. And for those that have been railroaded into paying for the repairs, refund them the money they have spent to fix the car. I have been quoted a price of $5000.00 for a new motor untop of the $1000.00 repair to see if that will work.

Filed Jul 25, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · NY

Car was at aproximately 87000. Turned the car on, there was a loud explosion and smoke came out from under the hood, didnt see any flames, popped open the hood, and smoke just continued to pile out. Engine light came on, and the mechanic found the engine was on its last breath. Had engine relaced for a used engine with 4500 miles on it for $1500. Soon after the engine the alternator started to die, where just by standing next to the car you can hear metal to metal grinding noise coming from it. Paid $100 to get new alternator. Right after alternator the eg r valve died, had it replaced, another $300 spent. Now come spedometer saying 99000 but the second engine only having 60000 the serpentine belt cracked and worn out beyong believe. Another $75 spend. While having that replaced the mechanic pointed out puddles of oil on the engine, thus the manifolds/gasket on engine#2 will soon need to have work done.should I contact the local dealer about the gaskets leaking...does it relate to the recall that was made on the manifolds.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · KY · fire

While starting vehicle, it exploded and caught on fire. Had a recall done on jan 1998 for engine backfire, dealer contacted . *ak original recall the federal safety agency campaign #96v116000. Kentucky basic fire incident report stated that fire possibly started around the injector area of the engine. Consumer states that gm would not accept responsibility for fire and that there was nothing they could do.

Filed Feb 28, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · MD · fire

When starting vehicle it backfired and caught fire in engine. Vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency recall 96v116000/ manufacturer's recall 97c02. Dealer was notified. *akconsumers car backfired, causing the manifold to fracture allowing water into the engine. The engine has been replaced and warrantied.