Smell of fuel dumping from exhaust. Air filter checks out. Mild smell just outside engine compartment. Headache producing smell inside can. Wasn't their a recall for part tolerances to correct this? Are all gm delphi replacement parts presently sold adequate to address this. Previous owner had new upper and lower intake manifold installed. Hard cold starting can cause and caused my first experience with the excess fuel smell. Yesterday and today driving I am getting the fuel in the passenger cabin smell. I can only hope that this is a fuel regulator issue. And I will put on a fresh air filter to reduce erroneous enrichment. Odd how my code reader can perform a fuel pressure check and remedy the cold hard start condition. These fumes occur from tailpipe when starting, from all over now when driving. After parking the smell remains some at the hood. Some drivers following me stay eight car lengths back.
Pontiac Bonneville fuel smell problems
17 of the 1,902 owner complaints about the Pontiac Bonneville describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 17
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 132,000
By model year
- 20034
- 20014
- 20002
- 19995
- 19971
- 19961
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was leaking and the fuel tank pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v238000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 160,000. Update 01/15/16 ma
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle and all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the sunroof failed to operate, both side mirrors would operate independently and when the vehicle was started a whistling noise activated that would last for several minutes. The independent mechanic replaced unknown parts. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The fuel injector started having issues, and the car has a whistling sound when the ignition is turned on. The smell of gas is coming from under the hood of the car. The electrical system has been off since we got the vehicle in november of 2013, the mirrors move by themselves and the sunroof never worked correctly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac bonneville. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact noticed a fuel odor outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Gas fumes coming into the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the cabin of the vehicle would take in the exhaust fumes from the contact's vehicle and other vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a fire department due to the possibility of carbon monoxide entering the vehicle however, their machines did not detect any carbon monoxide. The contact stated that the colder the weather, the worse the odor would become. The failure caused the contact and anyone who entered the vehicle to suffer from headaches. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. The current mileage was approximately 126,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that fuel fumes would seep into the vehicle and the vehicle would emit a loud clicking noise. A local mechanic and dealer were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 174,000 and the current mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that she noticed an overpowering fuel odor as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility where the contact was informed that the fuel tank and catalytic converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who explained that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v238000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The current and failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
There has been a problem with a gas leakage. The fuel supply line fitting at the fuel injector rail was the problem. O-rings were replaced, things seemed fine - no gas smell or leakage. This lasted for appx. 24 hours. I drove about 7 miles to and from work three times, a total of 21 miles, stopped at a library, came out, smelled gas, was driving the car home - one mile - was going to park it and get someone to look at it. I stopped at the mailboxes and heard a slight poof sound under the hood.when I looked up I saw smoke bellowing out from under the hood. I grabbed my purse and jumped out. From a distance I saw 2" balls of fire dropping from the engine to the street, called the fire department and watched my car go up in flames while waiting for them to show up - all because of one small plastic piece under the hood. Also, I would highly recommend everyone to carry full insurance coverage - a lesson hard-learned.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
- Risk
- The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V090000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain cadillac deville and seville passenger vehicles, funeral coaches, and limousines equipped with a v8 (4.6l) engine, oldsmobile aurora passenger vehicles equipped with a v8 (4.0l ) engine, and pontiac bonneville ssei passenger vehicles equipped with a supercharged v6 (3.8l) engine, the fuel tank pressure sensors are unusually susceptible to malfunctions. If the sensor malfunctions, excessive vacuum can be applied during self-diagnostic testing.
- Risk
- Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank pressure sensor. Owner notification began on october 17, 2003. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V238000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- 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
Questions about the Pontiac Bonneville fuel smell
Which Pontiac Bonneville years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (5 complaints), 2001 (4 complaints) and 2003 (4 complaints).
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