Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle chimed before stalling. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for inspection or repairs. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 118,000. The VIN was unavailable.
1996 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems
44 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000.
- owner complaints
- 44
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe12
- Engine8
- Engine: gasoline7
- Cooling system4
- Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3
- Exhaust system: emission control2
- Cooling system: radiator assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Bonneville engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
PE02050
What 1996 Pontiac Bonneville owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that several attempts had to be made before succeeding in starting vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where the failure was located at the intake manifold and oxygen sensor. The intake manifold cap was melting and causing oil to spill. In addition, the failure was producing white smoke from the tailpipe exhaust. The vehicle was repaired but the contact was unsure as to the exact repairs made to the vehicle. The contact also stated that the anti-theft system failed and would alert the contact that the doors were opened, and the seat belts were not secured erroneously. The fuel injection system was also defective and was repaired by replacing the fuel injector, and adding fuel cleaner. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system) and 95v204000 (electrical system: ignition: anti-theft controller) however, the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in either recall campaign. The current mileage was 158,000. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
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!!
1996 pontiac bonneville plastic manifold in engine from manufacture broke causing dex coolant to leak into engine destroying seals/head gaskets. Replace at dealer gasket,gasket kit,valve,valve kit,upper manifold, lower manifold reseal,coolant. Dealer does not honor recall.
Around jan 2008 while driving a plastic water hose burst. I replaced it and had no other problem until around aug 2008. This time the water pump started leaking. I replaced that and the thermostat and radiator cap, but I still kept loosing coolant. Then I found a crack in the radiator which I replace around the end of aug 2008. I still kept having to top off the coolant reservoir ever two days. About june 2008 I started having trouble with the veh starting, it would seem like it wasn't getting enough gas or flooding. It would be running but barley and it would not accelerate when you press the gas pedal. Finally it would start. It doesn't do it all the time but it's doing it more often now. I've fuel system and injection cleaners with no change. Then I went to the federal safety agency and found a recall 96v‑116 that seems to be the cause of my problem. I went to the local pontiac dealers and they said that my VIN was not part of the recall and that there was nothing they do. I told them that I would bring back to get a diagnostic test.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. While driving between 35-40 MPH, the vehicle gradually lost power and shut off. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, it backfired. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the upper intake manifold was cracked and would cost $503 to repair. The current mileage was 176,000 and failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 04/08/08. *lj the battery was replaced due to the vehicle not starting.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. The vehicle backfired when the ignition was started, and the check engine indicator light illuminated. The intake manifold was damaged. This failure occurred twice before and the manifold was replaced. A local mechanic stated that this vehicle was included in recall # 96v116000. However, the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from the recall. The contact possessed the repair invoices. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.
My 1996 bonneville started acting up, roughly idling, and hesitating when taking off. There was loss of power, poor gas mileage, car would shut it self off while driving down the highway.check engine light came on and started flashing. Took it to auto zone to get it checked. Scanner idicated that it had multiple misfires, and that my map sensor was bad. Replaced map sensor. Still didnt change on how the vehicle operated. Replaced one of coil packs, still nothing. Put new plug wires and nothing cahned. New oxygen sensor installed, and still nothing. Changes. Over all I just got done spending $150.00 on this car and I cant even afford that, and still have not resolved the problem. I replaced basically everything that the computer came up with. What can I do here to solve this problem without me hurting my financial status, and me blowing the car up.
1)coolant loss from plastic upper intake. 2)egr pipe burn through failure, upper and lower gasket failure. 3)replace upper plastic intake, upper and lower gaskets, coolant elbow oil and filter change. (5 hrs labor).
Coolant from upper intake plenum found to cause mis-fire cylinder. Replaced upper intake plenum twice once at 54,820 miles and again at 107,181 miles.
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville engine
Does the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville have engine problems?
Owners have filed 44 complaints about the engine of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, 29% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Pontiac Bonneville have bad engine?
The Pontiac Bonneville model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (200 complaints), 1999 (60 complaints) and 1995 (56 complaints).
Other 1996 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Airbags 27Fuel system 25Electrical 21Body 10Transmission 8Brakes 7Steering 7Visibility 5Acceleration 4Lights 3Tires 3Seat belts 2Wheels 2Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1
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