IllustrationAFTER STARTING VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, AND VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK
1996 Pontiac Bonneville
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bonneville years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
325–50K
750–75K
1175–100K
26100–150K
14150K+
63 reports with mileage · 87 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports7 fire reports14 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
43 reportsTHE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD MELTED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. *PH EGR VALVE IS STUCK AT 67% OPEN POSITION AT IDLE, WHICH IN TURN HEATED THE EGR PIPE CONNECTION AT THE PLASTIC AIR PLENUM AND LED TO THE LEAKING OF COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED PLASTIC AIR PLENUM WHICH HAS MUCH THICKER WALLS AT THE EGR E…
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THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD MELTED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. *PH EGR VALVE IS STUCK AT 67% OPEN POSITION AT IDLE, WHICH IN TURN HEATED THE EGR PIPE CONNECTION AT THE PLASTIC AIR PLENUM AND LED TO THE LEAKING OF COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED PLASTIC AIR PLENUM WHICH HAS MUCH THICKER WALLS AT THE EGR ENTRANCE. VEHICLE ALSO DOESN'T RUN WELL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND GAS MILEAGE DROPPED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, NO ONE KNOWS WHEN THE LEAK ON THE MOTOR STARTED. *LA
THE EGR VALVE STUCK 67% IN THE OPEN POSITION AT IDLE WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. *PH PLASTIC AIR PLENUM WAS REPLACED.*MR
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, SPILLING FLUID INTO THE ENGINE. *AK *MR
WHILE CRANKING MY 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE I HEARD A BIG EXPLOSION. I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE PLASTIC COVER OVER MY INTAKE WITH A HOLE BLOWN FRON THE ENGINE. I FURTHER REMOVED THE INTAKE COVER AND THA INTAKE HAD A RIPPING HOLE IN IT ALSO, AS IF THE TOP OF MY ENGINE BLEW UP.*AK
REPLACED PLENUM ON 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THREE TIMES. LAST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY AT 87,000 MILES. FAULTY (PLASTIC) PART ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE AND OIL TO MIX IN THE ENGINE CAUSING STALLING (IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STATE ROAD INTERSECTION, A SAFETY HAZARD). THE MIXING OF THE FLUIDS ALLOWS THE ENGINE TO BURN THE ANTIFREEZE AND B…
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REPLACED PLENUM ON 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THREE TIMES. LAST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY AT 87,000 MILES. FAULTY (PLASTIC) PART ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE AND OIL TO MIX IN THE ENGINE CAUSING STALLING (IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STATE ROAD INTERSECTION, A SAFETY HAZARD). THE MIXING OF THE FLUIDS ALLOWS THE ENGINE TO BURN THE ANTIFREEZE AND BY THE TIME YOU REALIZE ANYTHING YOU ARE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DECEMBER OF 1999, I BELEIVE THAT THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT HAVE THE LABELS ON THE DOOR FOR THE WEIGHT OR TIRE PRESSURE, ALL IT HAS IS A PARTS NUMBER STICKER A WHITE LABLE. I HAVE ASKED THE PONTIAC DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT SOME COME WITH JUS…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DECEMBER OF 1999, I BELEIVE THAT THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT HAVE THE LABELS ON THE DOOR FOR THE WEIGHT OR TIRE PRESSURE, ALL IT HAS IS A PARTS NUMBER STICKER A WHITE LABLE. I HAVE ASKED THE PONTIAC DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT SOME COME WITH JUST THAT LABEL. I PAYED $16.000 FOR THE CAR AND BELEIVE THAT THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASED DATE. I HAVE HAD THE PAINT PEEL OFF THE HOOD SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT AND NOW PEELING ON THE ROOF OVER WINDSHEILD. BUT WITH THE STICKER OFF THE DOOR I BELIVE THAT I WAS TAKEN. I STILL OWE $9.000 IN PAYMENTS. I ALSO THINK THAT IT WAS A LEMON, BECAUSE ON THE WINSHEILD IS A STICKER THAT SAYS SUNSET PONTIAC SATISFACTION, A ROUND STICKER ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF WINDSHEILD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER STICKER LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VECHICLE.
THE PLASTIC AIR INTAKE PLENUM FAILED ON MY CAR. THIS ALLOWED WATER FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THE ENGINE HYDRAULICALLY LOCKED UP. THIS DAMAGED THE PISTONS AND VALVES. ENGINE IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. SALVAGE OR REPLACEMENT IS THE ONLY OPTION. *JB
AIR INTAKE PLENUM ON THE BONNEVILLE 3.8 LITER ENGINE FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP WHEN THE WATER ENTERED THE PISTON AREA. THIS FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS AND THE VALVES. ENGINE IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND MUST BE REPLACED. *NLM
VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED, AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK
Official recalls
296V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Jul 1, 1996
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
95V204000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module
Oct 23, 1995
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.