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1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems

25 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 130,000.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
17%
typical mileage
130,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Fuel injection system
    7
  • Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    5
  • Storage: fuel gauge system
    2
  • Carburetor system
    2
  • Storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices
    1
  • Storage: tank assembly
    1
  • Delivery
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems in other years

1990199520002004

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported July 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles affected
What is wrong
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Risk
This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.

Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

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.

EA02030

What 1996 Pontiac Bonneville owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 28, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI · fire

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.

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 Aug 31, 2009 · Fuel system · TX

No incidents but there is damage done to the fuel , emission and brake line the fuel and emission lines from the fuel tank use a plastic quick connect coupling just underneath near the rear passenger side tire . The coupling becomes lose and sprays the fuel lines and brake hoses with fuel this washes off the protective layer of the hoses which then corrode and leak fuel and brake fluid , this happened on my 1996 bonneville can anyone email me if there are any recalls on this car for that reason or if I am entitled to repairs by the manufacturer.

Filed Jan 22, 2009 · Fuel system · 269,400 miles · MN

I put gas into my 1996 pontiac bonneville went to start it and it backfired and started running ragged and check engine light came on.

Filed Dec 7, 2008 · Fuel system · 166,000 miles · KY · fire

When I purchased my 1996 pontiac bonneville sse used I searched for any recalls on it I found 2 one for the intake breaking and one for the anti theft system I took it to local dealer they said it was not applicable to my vehicle now I have had issues with backfiring constantly and have even called pontiac help line where I was informed that my VIN number was not valid and there were no recalls on my vehicle fast forward a few months and my wife this morning went to the store where the car backfired and the intake exploded into several pieces and large amounts of smoke issued from under the hood now this will undoubtedly cost me a small fortune to repair what am I to do now?

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Fuel system · 93,495 miles · KS

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. When the contact started the vehicle, the engine backfired severely. He opened the hood and noticed that the engine plastic cover was shattered. He removed the cover and found that the upper intake manifold failed. The manifold was replaced, but the failure recurred when the vehicle was started. The contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system) pertaining to the same failure. He notified the dealer, but they could not locate the recall. The dealer referred him to the manufacturer, but they could not find any failures because the vehicle was older than ten years. The vehicle is currently at the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 93,495. Updated 1/26/09 *cn updated 01/26/09.

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 170,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jan 19, 2006 · Brakes, Fuel system · 115,856 miles · CT

Dt*: the contact stated a leak in the brake line was discovered and resulted in the vehicle being taken to an independent mechanic. After further inspection it was determined the brake and fuel lines were rusted and required replacement. *nm updated 02/21/06.

Filed Sep 22, 2005 · Fuel system · OH

Recall on fuel injection-intake manifold pontiac could not tell me if and when this repair was ever done as their system doesn't go back that far- I had this repair done last year and told them that there is no way that 2 manifolds would be defective in one car- they said there was nothing they could do as we bought this car used- all I wanted to know if this recall was used on my car when and were the repairs were done- they couldn't tell me this info-- can you get this info ?? Thanks.

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Fuel system · NY

Dt: consumer owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. He states that there was recall 96v116000 concerning intake manifold. He spoke with the manufacturer, and they stated his vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The consumer was told that there was a technical service bulletin. He brought it to dealer for service on june 28, 2005, and had the upper manifold intake replaced. The consumer has a print out from the repair shop that he would like to mail in.*ak jb

Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system

Does the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the fuel system of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 130,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 96V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Pontiac Bonneville have the most fuel system problems?

The Pontiac Bonneville model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1998 (36 complaints), 1996 (25 complaints) and 1999 (23 complaints).

Other 1996 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Engine 44Airbags 27Electrical 21Body 10Transmission 8Brakes 7Steering 7Visibility 5Acceleration 4Lights 3Tires 3Seat belts 2Wheels 2Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1

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