I had a 1997 pontiac bonneville. While I was driving down a highway in michigan, the engine compartment suddenly caught on fire. I was not speeding, and my car was perfectly serviced and maintained. By the time the fire service got there, the whole car burnt down. It took less than 20 minutes for the whole car to get burnt beyond recognition.
1997 Pontiac Bonneville: fire, smoke or burning smell
10 of the 147 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
While driving at normal speed driver began to see smoke coming from the vehicle. Driver proceeded to drive home, and parked vehicle. A mechanic stated that there was a whole in the plenum that allowed water to leak and warp the heads.
My car wouldn't start and there were no electrical components functioning. I called the car dealership where I purchased the warranty and was told to make sure I didn't have a dead battery because that was not covered under the warranty. I called the towing company and they attempted to charge the battery. Battery would not charge; the car went "puff" and caught on fire. When the wrecker driver attempte to start the car, he heard a loud "pop" and smoke was rolling out from under the hood. He opened the hood, battery was intact, however the engine was on fire. After fire was extinquished, he found the plenum(?sp) blown off the top f the engine and the oil filtler tube was blown out of he top of te manifold. Warranty company would not cover due to the fact the car caught on fire. They said my car ins should cover it. However, I believe the fire was the result of a previously existing defect. I was told the foam used to extinguish the fire could possibly have caused more problems in the engine. Was I supposed to let the car completey burn up? I don't think so!
The insured stated there was smoke coming from the vehicle when it broke down. Claim#13-7503-708
While driving the vehicle began to smoke and caught on fire in the engine compartment. Claim number 17-9174-792.
When the consumer started the vehicle the engine area caught on fire, this fire started back by the fire wall and melted the center of the dash. Claim number 23-1435-647.
Consumer started vehicle, it went puff and the engine area caught fire, fire started back by the firewall and melted the center of the dash, claim 23-1435-647.
While driving, vehicle began to smoke and caught on fire in the engine compartment, claim 17-9174-792.
I was driving home from when work when my car caught on fire. My brakes stopped working and I was unable to stop the car. The car was engulfed in flames in the matter of a few minutes.
On date mentioned the cars firewall and engine compartment caught fire which cause the lose of the use of the brakes and power steering. I was decending a steep hill at the time . I was lucky to keep control of the vehicle and managed to get the fire out before the fire department got there. This could have been a fatal accident if I had not keep my head. We also had to replace the alternator in this vehicle which should have not worn out as the car only had 3500 mile on it at that time. The police report stated that it was a manufacturer defect that caused the fire. I have called the place of purchase to inform them of this and they gave me a phone number of the pontiac co. To call and the number will not go threw. I have searched the web to see if there was a place in their web site to send them an email about the fire and no luck there either. If this had not happened when it did it would have been my wife driving with our grandson in the car, as I had gone to get gas for the car for her first. I feel it should be checked out as to wether there has been any other problems of this type . I know for a fact that my wife would not have been able to have handled the car and would have had an accident with our grandson in the car. This has me very upset.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville?
10 of 147 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville (7%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
Stalling 15Loss of power 7Power steering loss 6Brake failure 5Engine failure 5
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