NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
89 reports38,290 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING MOTOR OIL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. HE WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING MOTOR OIL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. HE WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,290 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,300.
NHTSA ODI #10265299
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2009
Structure
WATER PROBLEMS: 1) WATER DRAINING FROM WINDOWS INTO INTERIOR SOAKING FLOORBOARDS. THIS IS DUE TO THE RUBBER CAULKING THAT ATTACHES A PLASTIC SHEET ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS THAT DIVERTS THE WATER DOWN THE DOOR PANEL. THE CAULKING ULTIMATELY FAILS. OUT OF WARRANTY, I TOOK OFF THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL AND RE-CAULKED THE PLASTI…
Read full complaint
WATER PROBLEMS: 1) WATER DRAINING FROM WINDOWS INTO INTERIOR SOAKING FLOORBOARDS. THIS IS DUE TO THE RUBBER CAULKING THAT ATTACHES A PLASTIC SHEET ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS THAT DIVERTS THE WATER DOWN THE DOOR PANEL. THE CAULKING ULTIMATELY FAILS. OUT OF WARRANTY, I TOOK OFF THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL AND RE-CAULKED THE PLASTIC SHEETING WITH SILICONE. IT HAS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM, AT LEAST FOR NOW. 2) TRUNK. STILL LEAKS. HAVE UNPLUGGED THE WEEP HOLES IN THE TRUNK LID, WHICH HAS LESSENED THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258929
40,000 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibility
2002 BONNEVILLE: ALL 4 DOORS/WINDOWS HAVE BEEN RE-SEALED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE RAIN WATER FLOWS DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS, THEN FLOWS INSIDE THE DOOR, AND THEN FLOWS INTO THE CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR DOOR, CAUSING SOAKED CARPETING (PUDDLES) AND MOLD. SUN-ROOF MECHANICAL LINKAGE HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN OFF IN PLACES. …
Read full complaint
2002 BONNEVILLE: ALL 4 DOORS/WINDOWS HAVE BEEN RE-SEALED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE RAIN WATER FLOWS DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS, THEN FLOWS INSIDE THE DOOR, AND THEN FLOWS INTO THE CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR DOOR, CAUSING SOAKED CARPETING (PUDDLES) AND MOLD. SUN-ROOF MECHANICAL LINKAGE HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN OFF IN PLACES. I BET I USED THE SUN-ROOF ONLY 10 TIMES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SUNROOF NOW CLOSES CROOKED. DEALER COST ESTIMATE TO FIX = $1200. ALL 4 POWER WINDOW UNITS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW DOORS RATTLE; RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR TRIM FALLS OFF ROUTINELY. WIPER FLUID MOTOR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THESE ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244034
92,000 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, OIL LEAKS ONTO THE VALVE COVER MANIFOLD. SMOKE APPEARS UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONTACT SMELLS BURNING OIL. WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED, HE CAN SEE THE OIL ON THE VALVE COVER MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT MUST CHECK THE OIL LEVEL MONTHLY. HIS NEIGHBO…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, OIL LEAKS ONTO THE VALVE COVER MANIFOLD. SMOKE APPEARS UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONTACT SMELLS BURNING OIL. WHEN THE HOOD IS LIFTED, HE CAN SEE THE OIL ON THE VALVE COVER MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT MUST CHECK THE OIL LEVEL MONTHLY. HIS NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO COLANDREA PONTIAC IN NEW YORK AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL, AND WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $300- $500 TO REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,895.
NHTSA ODI #10230951
67,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WARNING LIGHTS FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, BRAKES, AND TRACTION CONTROL COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE IS DISABLED WHEN LIGHT IS ON. BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS GREATLY REDUCED SOMETIMES WHILE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. TRACTION CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SAID GM HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR CO…
Read full complaint
WARNING LIGHTS FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, BRAKES, AND TRACTION CONTROL COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE IS DISABLED WHEN LIGHT IS ON. BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS GREATLY REDUCED SOMETIMES WHILE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. TRACTION CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SAID GM HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR CORROSION IN A WIRING HARNESS PLUG LEADING TO THE WHEEL ROTATION SENSOR. DEALER STATED REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS WAS $500. DEALER TRIED CLEANING CONTACTS ON PLUG AND APPLYING CONDUCTIVE CORROSION PREVENTING. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ANTI-LOCK FEATURE IS DEACTIVATED, TRACTION CONTROL DEACTIVATED, AND BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED. DEVELOPED PROBLEM IN DECEMBER 2006. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229926
40,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Steering
THIS IS THE THIRD STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THIS VEHICLE IN 110,000 MILES AND IS DUE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CLUNK NOISE CONTINUALLY RETURNS ALONG WITH NOTICEABLE PLAY IN STEERING CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER EACH REPLACEMENT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO DANGER OF STEERING FAILURE, BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED. THESE PARTS ARE OBVIOUSLY WEA…
Read full complaint
THIS IS THE THIRD STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THIS VEHICLE IN 110,000 MILES AND IS DUE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CLUNK NOISE CONTINUALLY RETURNS ALONG WITH NOTICEABLE PLAY IN STEERING CONTROL SHORTLY AFTER EACH REPLACEMENT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO DANGER OF STEERING FAILURE, BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED. THESE PARTS ARE OBVIOUSLY WEARING WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FAILURE ON SOME LEVEL IF NOT FATAL. LET'S GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE POORLY ENGINEERED STEERING COMPONENTS, PLEASE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210849
24,414 miles · Aug 22, 2007
SteeringSuspension
12/10/2002 1,840 MILES KNOCKING SOUND FROM LT FRONT WHEEL; REPLACED BEARING STRUT 7/22/2004 24,414 MILES CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT; LUBRICATED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT 10/25/2004 28,000 MILES COMPLAINED OF STEERING NOISE, DEALET DID NOTHING 2/7/2005 31,584 MILES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURING CAR LEFT OR RIGHT; REPLACED RT AN…
Read full complaint
12/10/2002 1,840 MILES KNOCKING SOUND FROM LT FRONT WHEEL; REPLACED BEARING STRUT 7/22/2004 24,414 MILES CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING SHAFT; LUBRICATED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT 10/25/2004 28,000 MILES COMPLAINED OF STEERING NOISE, DEALET DID NOTHING 2/7/2005 31,584 MILES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURING CAR LEFT OR RIGHT; REPLACED RT ANDLT STRUT BEARINGS 9/23/2005 39,704 NOISES IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL RELACED STEERING SHAFT AS GOODWILL,SINCE PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE WARRANTY ENDED. 12/20/2006 60,699 STEERING NOISES IN STEERING NOISES AGAIN, RELACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AGAIN OBVIOUSLY A BIG TIME PROBLEM WITH INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. MUST ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BEARING STRUTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200416
65,600 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
3/13/2007 COOLANT LEAK IN LOWER AND UPPER GASKETS AT 65,600 MILES. REQUIRED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF LOWER AND UPPER GASKETS AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. EVIDENTLY A GM PROBLEM WITH GASKETS. $700 REPAIR ON CAR THAT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY DRIVER OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200415
33,212 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Visibility
PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW REGULATOR DESIGN. 3/30/2005 33,212 MILES, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SHUDDERS AND STOPPED WORKING, WOULD NOT OPEN. WINDOW REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 3/13/2007 65,600 MILES, RT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, WOULD NOT OPEN, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, COST TO REPAIR $500 8/20/2007 DRIVERS WINDOW AGAIN BARELY WORKING, AND WIL…
Read full complaint
PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW REGULATOR DESIGN. 3/30/2005 33,212 MILES, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SHUDDERS AND STOPPED WORKING, WOULD NOT OPEN. WINDOW REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 3/13/2007 65,600 MILES, RT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, WOULD NOT OPEN, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, COST TO REPAIR $500 8/20/2007 DRIVERS WINDOW AGAIN BARELY WORKING, AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT FOR $500. OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IF DESIGN OF WINDOW REGULATORS. POSING DANGER IF CAN NOT OPEN WINDOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200414
10,000 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Power Train
1. THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE NEW. THE DEALER EVENTUALLY SENT THE CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED INTERMITTANTLY EVEN AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, SHUDDERS ON ACCELERATION AND SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. IT WILL SLIP AND THEN SOMETIM…
Read full complaint
1. THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE NEW. THE DEALER EVENTUALLY SENT THE CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED INTERMITTANTLY EVEN AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, SHUDDERS ON ACCELERATION AND SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. IT WILL SLIP AND THEN SOMETIMES SHIFT HARD. 2. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AND THEN SHUDDER AS WE ARE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONED SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE LATELY AND I FEAR THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES WE WILL BE KILLED BY THIS PROPLEM. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT GENERAL MOTORS KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY ISSUED A BULLETIN #0O-07-30-002B IN JULY OF 2002. THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS AS WE REPORTED THE EXACT SYMPTOMS TO THE DEALER SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. 3. THE DEALER SENT THE CAR TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THAT FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED THE FILTER. IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND ANY CAR WITH THE 4T65E TRANSMISSION POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND TO HIGHWAY SAFETY AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN FAILURE WILL OCCUR. EACH OF THE DOZEN OR MORE TIMES WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM CODES. GM'S INTERNAL BULLETIN SUGGESTS THAT THEY REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID, CHECK LINE PRESSURE TO SPECIFICATIONS, CHECK TO SEE IF CORRECT ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM PCM IS BEING TRANSMITTED AND RECEIVED, ACCESS PC SOLENOID VALVE CONTROL TEST ON THE SCAN TOOL, AND REPLACE VALVE BODY. NONE OF THESE THINGS WERE DONE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS GOTTEN WORSE CREATING EVEN MORE DANGER. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD.
NHTSA ODI #10192769
NHTSA investigations
2EA07008 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jun 12, 2007 · Closed May 1, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA 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.
EA02030 · 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.
Illustration