1998 Pontiac Bonneville: engine failure

Filed Dec 13, 2005 · Engine · 60,000 miles · FL

There are 313 complaints on this website as of today concerning the 1998 pontiac bonneville. Out of those 313 reports, at least 132 are 100 percent related to the plastic manifold failure which causes the engine to overheat to catastrophic results. I have had to replace the engine on my vehicle twice within 4 years. Gmc is refusing to acknowledge this issue and it is a shame that the almighty dollar is more important than integrity,honor and people's lives. What happened to pride in what you manufacture?shame on gmc!!!

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Engine · 71,725 miles · TX

Recall campaign: the vehicle's engine failed prior to recall notification. *nm the consumer request reimbursement for the repair made prior to recall notification.

Filed Oct 22, 2004 · Engine · 62,000 miles · KS

Sudden catastrophic failure of the intake manifold causing anti-freeze to enter the engine, oil resulting in complete engine failure at 75 MPH. *ak ase certified mechanic replaced engine, intake manifold and peripherals for over $5000. Have possession of original factory intake manifold showing hole in egr area that failed. Ruined engine had to be returned for core fee. Car recently off extended warranty. Gm customer service uncooperative and claims that tsb 010601007a (the federal safety agency item #620835) not published by gm. Gm customer service claims car has not been properly maintained, did not care to have details of oil changes (every 3000 miles) or other service performed as recommended in owner's manual. This is an obvious product failure and is a serious safety issue at higway speeds! When engine locked up, lost all power and had difficulty getting off the highway and onto the shoulder. Very thankful my husband was driving and not me, as I would not have been able to get the car off the highway due to the tremendous strength required to perform that task when there is no power steering! Recently received a safety recall from gm for the gasoline pressure regulator that must have a number of variables happen all at the same time to become an issue. Why is gm not being held accountable for this serious intake manifold problem that appears to be lying in wait for the unsuspecting consumer?

Filed Sep 27, 2004 · Engine · 49,000 miles · KY

While driving vehicle stalled and turned off. Vehicle was towed to dealer, who replaced the engine.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Engine · 28,000 miles · OR

While driving engine was leaking coolant onto the intake manifold. This could result in engine failure. *ak consumer was informed by her friend that her vehicle was on a list of potential engine failures from coolant leaking by general motors (gm). Consumer went to a gm dealer as soon as she learned the news, and showed extensive damage on the intake manifold which was replaced.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Engine · 70,741 miles · MI

While driving engine check light came on and vehicle stalled. This occurred because the intake manifold gasket leaked fluid onto the engine and the engine seized . *ak

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Engine · 70,000 miles · MI

Engine had 70,000 miles when suddenly seized with no warning. Repair said intake manifold had warped causing antifreeze to spill into engine. Engine and starter had to be replaced. Repair center said it is a very common problem. Replacement engine had same thing happening and a kit is available for replacement of this problem-purchased kit for replacement engine. Total replacement costs---$3,223.06. I see in browsing the complaint pages that this is a very common problem. Its time that gm makes things right for the consumer.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Engine · 97,070 miles · FL

Catastrophic engine failure while traveling on a bridge at apprx 15 - 20 MPH. No warnings lights or gauge concerns until moment of failure. Engine idle became exceptionally rough. Cause was a gasket failure allowing dex-cool to enter engine and destroyed it.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Engine · 79,700 miles · FL

Possible defective engine part. Pontiac 3.8l intake manifold failure causing possible catastrophic engine failure if engine vapor locks at time of failure while engine is running. This part failed on my vehicle and the independant repair shop I took it too already had needed repair part on hand because (as they stated) there always fixing this engine for this problem. I found 1 tsb on your site #01060007a but it was 2.5 years ago. I spoke with a gm representative but was advised the could not comment on if this was a problem or not.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NC

Design flaw of coolant pipe. Breakage of the coolant pipe inside the air intake of the 3800 v-6 engine causing engine coolant to flood the engine and cause immediate engine failure.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · IL · 1 injury

My complaint is that I am about to put my 4th and 5th intake manifold & manifold gasket, respectively, on my 1998 pontiac bonneville. I was driving down highway 55 at 70 MPH when my engine died, because my manifold keeps cracking!! Because my engine died, it kept blowing and forcing antifreeze down my intake and filling my cylinders with water and antifreeze, causing a vapor lock!!! This was terrible, because when I tried to restart the car in neutral going 70 MPH, with 20-25 cars around me and 3-5 semi trucks, the engine was locked up!!!!! Because of this 'vapor lock up' of the engine, I lost control of my car!!! I had no power steering, no power brakes, no control to be able to avoid a 20-25 car pile up, with tens to hundreds being injured!!!!!!!!! Gm needs to do a complete recall of all 3.1, 3.4 & 3.8 v6 engines made with plastic manifolds and plastic gaskets!!!! Gm needs to replace them with the aluminum manifolds and rubber gaskets they used to place on all engines manufactured since these changes which I believe is 1996!!!!! Next, after all these manifolds and gasket failures on my car, of which I change the oil every 2000 miles and have documentation to support my oil changes, the antifreeze has eaten my bearings and crankshaft mains and rod bearings and my engine is knocking badly!!! A fair resolution would be for gm to give me(free of any charge), a new engine to replace the one they damaged, with their defective parts, workmanship and manufacturing design changes. If there is no problem, then why has gm issued a very expensive tsb? To change the design, component and installation of these defective parts??????? Please see the attached url -http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?gmcnsmrs to view the over 1,200 people so far that has been identified in just a few months by word of mouth. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 14, 2003 · Engine · 72,500 miles · MA

Noticed slow loss of engine coolant (no obvious leaks) over the month prior to incident date. On incident date, engine popped, banged, and ran extremely rough on start-up. I had read about a problem with the 3.8 liter v-6 gm engine, and brought vehicle to dealer. Dealer found warped/cracked plastic intake manifold, which was replaced at a cost of over $700. Pontiac/gm would not consider any cost sharing on the repair. Failure was in area of manifold/plenum where throttle body/egr valve mount, and is due to excessive heat build-up over time. This problem is a design defect (use of plastic manifold vs. Metal in high temperature application) on this and several other gm v6 engine types from 1995 to at least 2002. Gm installs these engines in various models of pontiacs, buicks, oldsmobiles, and I believe some chevrolets. I estimate that gm has well over 1,000,000 of these problem engines in vehicles, and their potential cost liability is in the billions of dollars. I don't expect them to initiate a recall without government mandate. In other cases I have researched, this problem has apparently LED to complete engine failure, and in some cases, engine compartment fires.