Pontiac Bonneville engine failure problems

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Engine · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 pontiac bonneville. While driving out of the driveway, the engine made an abnormal banging sound and the vehicle caught fire. The engine blew up and produced a thick cloud of smoke. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 31, 2008 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. While driving 65 MPH, the engine stalled and all the warning indicator lights illuminated. The vehicle would not restart. The repair shop stated that the failure was caused by a spun bearing and a blown rod. The engine was replaced. The current and failure mileages were 90,000. Updated 03-04-08 *bf the vehicle had a coolant leak from the intake. After the repair was made, the engine blew out a rod.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Engine · 233,065 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 pontiac bonneville. The contact took her vehicle to midas for a routine oil change. A few hours later, the vehicle shut off while driving. The vehicle was towed and the technician stated that the vehicle's oil was black. The technician stated that the oil change was not the cause of the failure, but could possibly result from engine failure. As a result, midas fails to reimburse the contact. The vehicle would start, but made a loud knocking noise. The contact has the receipt and paperwork from the event. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 233,065.

Filed Apr 5, 2007 · Engine · 92,123 miles · GA

The tip of a spark plug broke off into the piston causing me to have to replace the engine. Gm has refused to reimburse me for my replacement engine.

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 Aug 23, 2005 · Engine · 50,330 miles · FL

Allow me to state my case. I purchased a highly touted 2000 bonneville [xxx]. This car was a gm master ase certified mechanics inspected vehicle. It was advertised as "gm quality certified trouble free", "no worry vehicle". I drove 400 miles to pick it up and was looking forward to a long pleasant ownership experience. The gm 3800 engine has been called "bulletproof", "one of the best engines of the 21st century". After approximately 4000 miles of use, the engine sustained a catastrophic internal engine failure. The pontiac dealer inspected my vehicle and I was informed it was going to need a new crankshaft! The main #3 journal bearing had spun and it was going to need a new crankshaft at a cost of $3500. My other option was to install a new gm 3800 engine, with a 100,000 mile warranty, for $5500. This breakdown had to be an inherent defect in the crankshaft or bearing for this to have happened. If you are willing to guaranty your engine for 100,000 miles, why is it unreasonable for me to expect at least that much service out of my engine?? I have owned a bonneville before and it was fine, my father owns a montana, my brother owns a grand prix. We have always considered gm to be the name to beat!! I truly believe that the right thing for gm to do would be to, at least, absorb part of this expense. This vehicle should never have sustained this type of failure in it's young life. Even hyundai and kia, korean manufactured cheap vehicles, carry a 100,000 mile engine guaranty! Chrysler has a 70,000 mile engine guaranty. Why must the biggest us manufacturer not be willing to standby it's product? Updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Apr 28, 2005 · Engine · 82,000 miles · PA

The intake manifold gasket on my 1997 pontiac bonneville 3800 series engine failed causing coolant to gain access to internal engine parts. This caused the engine to seize and become totally inoperable requiring the engine to be replaced at a cost of $2200.00. This failure also happend in a pontiac grand prix, that I also owned, with the same series of engine. The cost of the repair to the grand prix was approx. $650.00. The engine in the grand prix did not have to be replaced. Looking at and reading the various gm message boards on the internet, this problem seems to be fairly prevalent with the 3800 series of engine. Gm continues to ignore this with no regard to the consumer.

Filed Apr 13, 2005 · Engine · 46,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Engine · 109,800 miles · CA

The plastic intake manifold on my 1997 bonneville warped causing coolant to leak into the engine which then seized the engine. Replaced intake manifold and rebuilt both engine heads. Total cost was $1,525. My mechanic told me this is a common problem on the gm 3800 series engines because the upper intake manifold is plastic. About 2 weeks later, a rod bearing failed. I was told it failed prematurely because coolant had entered the engine. I do not have a repair estimate yet. I believe all of these problems are related to the defective upper intake manifold.

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.