Upon accelerating onto the highway, after reaching highway speed, vehicle stalls and would not start. Flooding engine, gasoline coming out of exhaust, engine would not restart. After research and replacing leaking lower intake manifold, this was not my problem there was no leak. After more research I replaced more sensors and eventually cylinder gaskets and lower intake gasket again. Still engine would not start. After 2 years of car sitting I unplugged maf sensor and then it started finally. Faulty maf sensor but no way to find out unless it is unplugged because sensor did not give off any pertaining fault code pointing to the problem specifically.
1999 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems
60 complaints (42% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 60
- of this car's complaints
- 42%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Engine: gasoline18
- Engine13
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe7
- Cooling system6
- Exhaust system: emission control1
- Exhaust system1
- Engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger1
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 engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 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 fire
By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle - the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA07008
Engine compartment fires
PE02050
What 1999 Pontiac Bonneville owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac bonneville. In 2003, while driving 15 MPH, the contact noticed a huge cloud of white smoke at the rear of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intake manifold had blown the gasket. The intake manifold gasket was replaced as well as the intake manifold itself. In 2005, the fuel pressure regulator switch blew out and was repaired under recall; however, the failure recurred in 2007. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that this would cause the engine to blow due to leakage of fuel into the engine. Also, the rear window defroster switch would not shut off. He had to remove the fuse to prevent it from draining the battery. The failure mileage was 63,000 and current mileage was 104,000. Update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/19/08.
Plastic engine intake plenum assy meltdown causing coolant into cylinders of engine. Original incident identified to possible damage to 1st cylinder. Plenum assy replaced with metal sleeve which mechanic claimed was superior to original mfg part. Prior damage to 1st and 2nd cylinders became permanent months later when engine shutdown while driving. Researched recall data and found nothing to date. Mechanic acknowledges problem is frequent and known by manufacturer for long time. Contacted gm and was refused any type of compensation. Researched complaints on the federal safety agency a found an unbelievable large volume of the exact same problem. Intend to call the federal safety agency direct and find out status of large complaint base with no action. Intend to contact all others filing complaints for definite immediate class action.
Dt*: the contact stated the intake manifold gasket fractured a year ago when the car had 40,000 miles. The fracture in the intake manifold constituted a leak and as a result of the leak the engine ran very inefficiently. The manufacturer was contacted 3 times to provide reimbursement for the repairs paid by the contact. Updated 8/30/2006 -
Dt: the contact stated while driving at any speed MPH on normal road conditions the engine stalled, no warning lights iluminate in the dash board. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined no problems in the engine or electrical systems. The contact continues to deal with the stalling engine.
Dt*: the contact stated while starting the vehicle it backfired and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic determined the intake manifold was leaking coolant and the gaskets needed to be replaced. The manufacturer has not been alerted.
Two intake manifold failures for my 1999 pontiac bonneville, 3.8 engine. First one was in january 2003. Now 15 months later, it has failed again after 35000 miles. The first time, repair costs were just over $800. Now I'm looking at a bill of $866. I have read the tsb and many other online complaints that I'm not the only one with this issue of recurring failures. Some have even reported fires in the engine compartments or complete engine failure.
1999 pontiac bonneville caught on fire in the engine compartment.*mr when the consumer attempted t start the vehicle it's engine backfired then caught on fire. Recently the consumer came across a recall for defective fuel regulator which caused fires. The consumer contacted the manufacturer is awaiting a response.
99 bonneville, in march of 2004 while traveling at 45 MPH the car back fired and the engine killed, it was towed to a shop and coolant was in the engine. The upper manifold was replaced and gaskets at cost of over $ 600.00. A year later march 2005 the car was making a noise. The pontiac dealer could not find a problem. On april 2005 the porblem was find, haha , plastic intake was crank, more money. I thing gm sould recall and pay a these defects in there parts. I will fight till the end. I have spent over 1000.00 on there defect, me many many other people.
A hole developed in the plastic upper intake manifold where coolant runs next to the egr valve, resulting in the car suddenly stalling and not able to be restarted, because of the coolant being introduced into the air fuel mixture. It is my understanding that this is an ongoing problem that pontiac is aware of.
Questions about the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville engine
Does the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville have engine problems?
Owners have filed 60 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville, 42% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 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 1999 Pontiac Bonneville problems
Fuel system 23Electrical 22Brakes 9Airbags 8Transmission 8Visibility 6Tires 5Acceleration 4Body 3Steering 3Suspension 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Lights 1
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