FaultScore

1998 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems

217 of the 359 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville are about the engine — 60% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,226 miles.

F

217

Complaints

1

Crashes

28

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 52 24.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 47 21.7%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 45 20.7%
Engine 34 15.7%
Cooling System 25 11.5%
Engine 6 2.8%
Radiator Assembly 3 1.4%
Exhaust System 3 1.4%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 0.5%
Catalytic Convertor 1 0.5%

Engine & Cooling across every Pontiac Bonneville year

1992 11 1.8%
1993 20 3.4%
1994 18 3.0%
1995 58 9.7%
1996 49 8.2%
1997 59 9.9%
1998 217 36.4%
1999 60 10.1%
2000 43 7.2%
2001 31 5.2%
2002 15 2.5%
2003 15 2.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Fargo, ND Fire

ENGINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINS AFTER SHUTDOWN. INCIDENT 2015-00001363

NHTSA complaint #10764467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,673 miles Centralia, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE BACK TWO CRADLE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED OUT AND MOUNTS PULLED THROUGH THE CRADLE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE FILLING AND CAUSING STEERING TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WHEN HIT BRAKES FRONT WOULD DART ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE FROM CRADLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING BUMPS TRIED THE FIND ONE IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL ARE THAT WAY.

NHTSA complaint #10713247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Edenton, NC

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD TO POWER STEER, NO POWER BRAKES, THE FUEL GAUGE READ NO FUEL AND THE BELLS WENT OFF. I HAD TO TRY TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE AND RESTART MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY MORE TIMES. I CAN BE GOING 25MPH OR 70MPH; I CAN HAVE THE CRUISE ON OR OFF; I CAN HAVE THE HEAT OR A/C ON OR OFF, IT DOES NOT MATTER; IN ALL CASES, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN I AM NOT EXPECTING IT.

NHTSA complaint #10608590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Angelo, TX

ENGINE

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE PULLED TO A DEAD STOP AT A LIGHT AND DURING THE IDLING TIME THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. VERY EMBARRASSING SET OF TRIPS TO NEARBY GROCER. ..

NHTSA complaint #10595871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Edenton, NC

ENGINE

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AND HOPEFULLY RESUME DRIVING SO THE CAR COMING BEHIND ME DID NOT CRASH INTO ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE INCLUDING TIMES WHILE ON I-95, I-81, RURAL MOUNTAINOUS ROADS (WHICH RESULTED IN MY CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS), AND CITY TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REASON AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I AM GIVEN NO WARNING BY MY CAR THAT THIS IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE WARNING BELL CHIMES AND THE CAR FAILS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS HAPPENED LAST EVENING AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID A CRASH. PLEASE ADD MY CAR TO YOUR RECALL OR GIVE ME SOME KIND OF ANSWER TO TAKE TO MY MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10574017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,506 miles Waukesha, WI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,506.

NHTSA complaint #10557467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Springfield, VT Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MELTED AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10507450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,433 miles Crown Point, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT HESITATED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE PLASTIC GASKET FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,433.

NHTSA complaint #10413890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,222 miles Laporte, IN 46350, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

98 PONTIAC 86,000 MILES INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME... PARTS REPLACED...SPARK PLUGS (FOULED)..STARTER ASSEMBLY.. MOTOR WAS WATERLOCKED BROKE STARTER...INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED.....OIL CHANGED DUE TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION...REPLACE ANTIFREEZE...TOTAL BILL LABOR AND PARTS... $1387.99..GM HAS NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ISSUE...WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM ??

NHTSA complaint #10409152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,268 miles Crown Point, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE AIR INTAKE GASKET HAS FAILED FOR 2 REASONS. 1 FACTORY TIGHTLY PUT THE BOLTS ON TO TIGHT. 2 PLASTIC GASKET AND PLASTIC MANIFOLD PARTS DO NOT MEET GOVERNMENT SAFETY STANDARDS FOR, FAILURE AVOIDANCE, BECAUSE OF MATERIALS USED TO CONNECT THE PLASTIC TO METTLE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10409124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Adrian, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND INTO THE CRANKCASE. THE EGR TUBE MELTS THE UPPER PLASTIC MANIFOLD I HAVE HAD THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE REPLACED FOR THIS ISSUE ONCE BEFORE WITH GM PARTS AND IT HAPPENING AGAIN. IF IT NOT FIXED THE COOLANT CAN CONTAMINATE MY OIL AND LOCK UP MY ENGINE WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ME TO CRASH. IF THE ENGINE LOCKS UP I WILL LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10351151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hazel Green, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I OWN A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE. I SAW RECENTLY THAT GM WAS RECALLING 1.5 MILLION VEHICLES WITH THE 3800 3.8 LTR V6. WAS WONDERING HOW THEY COULD RECALL THOSE VEHICLES AND NOT MINE, MY CAR IS IN THE SAME YEAR RANGE "1998" AND HAS THE EXACT MOTOR "3800 3.8 V6" AND OIL DRIPS ON MANIFOLD ON MY CAR AS WELL. WHAT KIND OF INFO CAN I GET ON THIS? THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10265380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Copperas Cove, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

98 BONNEVILLE WITH 3800 SERIES ENGINE. NOTICED COOLANT WAS LOW SO I ADDED COOLANT, THEN REPLACED THERMOSTAT BECAUSE HEATER WAS PUTTING OUT COLD AIR. SAW BIG CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT INVOLVING A PLASTIC MANIFOLD AND EGR VALVE THAT THE COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH THE OIL DUE TO HOLES CAUSED BY THE DEFECT IN THE UPPER AND LOWER MANIFOLDS. CALLED PONTIAC DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID SORRY ABOUT YOUR SITUATION BUT NO RECALL. CONTACTED PREVIOUS OWNER AND HE SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED 3 YEARS AGO AND HE HAD THE SAME THING FIXED. LONG STORY SHORT, I'M SPENDING $1400 FOR A PROBLEM THAT THE ENGINEERS OF THIS ENGINE KNEW WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10252086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,540 miles NEW Brighton, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS PROFESSIONAL CARED FOR CAR (GM GARAGE 8YRS) FROM MY MOTHER WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT I BEGAN SEEING COOLANT ON THE ENGINE WHICH LED ME TO HAVE MY MECHANIC AT PRECISION TUNE AUTO CARE TAKE A LOOK. HE SAID IT IS LIKELY A LEAK FROM EITHER THE PLENUM OR THE GASKET. AFTER DIGGING INTO IT THEY ENDED UP REPLACING UPPER PLENUM AND LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND COOLANT AND OIL. COST WAS 739.71. MILEAGE ON CAR AT THAT TIME WAS 78540. I HAVE RECEIPT FROM PRECISION.

NHTSA complaint #10240624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE POOR PRODUCTION MANIFOLD/GASKETS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE MANIFOLD/GASKETS AND DEX. COOL WERE IN POOR PRODUCTION ON HER VEHICLE. *KB THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET HAD COOLANT IN THEM. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS BAD. METAL FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL WHICH WAS COMING FROM, THE ROD BEARING THAT FAILED DUE TO THE VEHICLE OVER HEATING AND COOLANT IN THE OIL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH AND THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE MANIFOLD FROM CRACKING. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN JULY 2004, THE MANIFOLD CRACKED ONE MONTH LATER. THE CONSUMER STATED EVER SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED SHE HAS ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2004 THE LOWER MANIFOLD SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE, HOWEVER SINCE IT WAS NOT REPLACED, STOP LEAK PELLETS MIXED WITH THE DEX-COOL AND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #10201569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,500 miles Flushing, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WITH A 3800 ENGINE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE UPPER INTAKE (PLENUM) AND SEALS HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. I PHONED AN ACQUAINTANCE WHO WORKED AS A TECHNICIAN AT THE GM POWER TRAIN ENGINEERING FACILITY IN FLINT, MICHIGAN WHERE THE 3800 ENGINE WAS ENGINEERED. HE SAID IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE BY THE ENGINEERING SKILLED TRADES EMPLOYEES THAT THE UPPER INTAKE DESIGN WAS FLAWED. THERE WERE MANY INTAKE FAILURES OBSERVED DURING DYNAMOMETER TESTING. SOME EVEN EXPLODED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS AND MANAGEMENT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN, BUT FOR SOME REASON, CHANGES WERE NOT MADE. I CAN DIRECT INVESTIGATORS TO EMPLOYEES WHO WITNESSED INTAKE DESIGN FAILURES IN THE TESTING FACILITIES.

NHTSA complaint #10182135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,950 miles Cambridge Springs, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE 3800 ENGINE IN MY PONTIAC HAS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR SOME REASON HAS HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT HAS CRACKED. I AM TRYING TO OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOME SORT OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE OR OTHER 3800 SERIES ENGINES?

NHTSA complaint #10170734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Lewiston, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE RPMS ELEVATED, AND THE OIL GAUGE INDICATED LOW PRESSURE, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED NO OIL LEAK WAS PRESENT, BUT A PLUG WIRE TO THE ENGINE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10165120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Meridian, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM STARTING THE VEHICLE, A SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, AS WELL AS BACKFIRING OF THE ENGINE. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE MECHANIC DISCOVERED LOW FLUID LEVELS IN THE RADIATOR, WET AND RUSTED SPARK PLUGS, CRACKED HEAD GASKETS AND THE PISTON HAD TORN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER THE RECALLED (04V090000) ITEM WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2004 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE MECHANIC FOR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA complaint #10163487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Spring Hill, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DISAPPEARING COOLANT - NO VISIBLE LEAKS. ENGINE QUIT RUNNING REQUIRED TOW. REPLACED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10155137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,561 miles Essexville, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE WITH LOW MILEAGE HAD SERVICE ENGINE ALERT GO OFF. CAR GAUGES INDICATED IT WAS OVER HEATING. PULLED OFF ROAD TO CHECK OUT AND FOUND ANTIFREEZE LOW-NEVER SAW ANY LEAK OR PUDDLE. COOLED CAR AND ADDED ANTIFREEZE. CAR WORSENED AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START FIRE. HUGE WHITE SMOKE OUT OF TAILPIPE & LOUD ENGINE NOISE. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY SAID IT IS INTAKE MANIFOLD DESIGN DEFECT DUE TO PLASTIC CASING ON MANY GM MODELS. THEY REPLACE AT LEAST ONE PER WEEK. STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR OVER 8 HOURS. OIL AND ANTIFREEZE IN ALL SPARL PLUGS. SPENT $1100.00 TO HAVE NEW "UPDATED DESIGN MANIFOLD", OIL CHANGED TWICE, COOLANT FLUSHED, NEW SPARK PLUGS AND NEW STARTER DONE DUE TO A CHUNK BROKEN OFF OF CONE BECAUSE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10149677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE OVERHEATED. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THEN WOULD PICK UP ABRUPTLY AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD WATER WAS COMING OUT OF THE PLUG HOLES. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE WAS THEN TOLD THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE MANIFOLD HAD A LEAK AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AGAIN 4 YEARS LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10147515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #10145129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PLEASE BE SURE TO FILE YOUR COMPLAINT AT WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG AND SIGN UP FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST GMC. I KNOW THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME ENGINE COOLANT AND PLASTIC MANIFOLD PROBLEM THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR REBUILD THE ENGINE IN THE 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.

NHTSA complaint #10145130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE LOCKED UP AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE ENGINE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 4 YEARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10143316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT GMC IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPARENT DEFECTS WITH THE PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. MY ENGINE LOCKED UP IN JULY 2001 WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE MECHANIC THAT REPAIRED THE CAR TOLD ME THAT WATER AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE CHEAP PLASTIC PLENTUM HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW,THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONCE AGAIN ON 11/07/2005. THE CAR WAS ONLY GOING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE OVER-HEATED AND THIS TIME IT IS COSTING ME 2,321.00! I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BY GMC OR RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS EXTREMELY APPARENT THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN ALL 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLES AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR NOR CAN I AFFORD TO RE-BUILD OR RE-PLACE MY ENGINE EVERY 3-4 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10143321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Laredo, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: CONTACT STATES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING INTO CYLINDERS, CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK, DAMAGING STARTER AND SPARK PLUGS. REMOVED AND REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON 6-17-05 AT A COST OF $900.00: THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS DUE TO A RECALL #04V09000 FUEL SYSTEM/ GASOLINE DELIVERY. SHE WAS REFUNDED MONEY BY PONTIAC. NOW SHE WAS REQUESTING MONEY BACK FOT THE SECOND TIME. ALSO, RECEIVED AN INVESTIGATION# PEO2050; CONCERNING ENGINE, BUT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER .

NHTSA complaint #10129188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,652 miles Eugene, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (PLENUM) FAILED COSTING ME $2000 IN REPAIRS. THE GASKET HAD BEEN MADE OF A FAULTY PLASTIC BY GM IN TRYING TO CUT MANUFACTURING COSTS. THE CAR IS A 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. I PURCHASE IT WITH 49,000 MILES IN 2003 AND IT CUREENTLY HAS 62,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10120911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,108 miles Lodi, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 YEARS MY 98 BONNEVILLE HAD THE PLENUM CRACK WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER TOP OF MOTOR WHICH REQUIRES VEHICLE TO BE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY OR MOTOR WILL OVERHEAT UNTIL IT IS RUINED. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES AT FIRST OCCURRENCE AND HAS 72,108 MILES ON IT WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN LAST FRIDAY. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE UNTIL PARTS CAN BE BOUGHT AND INSTALLED, MAKING THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE ON HIGHWAY WHEN THAT OCCURS. IT HAS COST MORE THAN $ 800.00 EACH TIME TO GET VEHICLE FIXED AND I NOW HAVE NO TRUST IN THIS PART OF MOTOR WHAT SO EVER AS THERE IS NO REAL REASON WHY IT OCCURS OTHER THAN PLENUM BEING PLASTIC SO IT CAN'T STAND UP TO NORMAL PRESSURES OR TEMPERATURE CHANGES. VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS ADMITTED THEY MADE A FIX FOR PROBLEM BUT IT IS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE WHICH DOES NOT SEEM FAIR AS THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH ALLOWS DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR OWNER TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10116418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Wisconsin Rapids, WI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO START IT, AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. CONSUMER LATER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10117094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Pontiac Bonneville problems

← Full 1998 Pontiac Bonneville report