IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD. A HESITATION WAS ALSO FELT IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING NEED TO BE LUBRICATED AND THE STEERING FLUID WAS CHECK, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
2002 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
120–25K
1525–50K
850–75K
875–100K
7100–150K
4150K+
54 reports with mileage · 35 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.
- Steering. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
89 reportsTHE STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLUNKING SOUND & FEEL AS YOU TURN THE CAR. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SHAFT 3 OR 4 TIME IN 58,000 MILES, AND IT IS VERY BAD AGAIN. IN THE PAST THEY DID NOT CHARGE TO REPAIR, BUT NOW WANT TO. THIS IS LIKE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THE SYSTEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY HEATED CLOTH SEATS. FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS ALL WAS WELL THEN THE DRIVERS SEAT STOPPED HEATING. DEALER REPLACED ELEMENTS. SINCE THEN, REPEATED ELEMENTS AND FABRIC HAVE BEEN CHANGED. ELEMENT IMPRESSION HAS BEEN IN THE FABRIC EVER SINCE. SEAT RUNS EXTREMELY HOT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TI…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY HEATED CLOTH SEATS. FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS ALL WAS WELL THEN THE DRIVERS SEAT STOPPED HEATING. DEALER REPLACED ELEMENTS. SINCE THEN, REPEATED ELEMENTS AND FABRIC HAVE BEEN CHANGED. ELEMENT IMPRESSION HAS BEEN IN THE FABRIC EVER SINCE. SEAT RUNS EXTREMELY HOT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NEW. GM/PONTIAC DEEMED THIS NORMAL OPERATION AND SENT THE CUSTOMER HOME. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND GM HAS NO ANSWERS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A TEMPERATURE ISSUE IF YOU CAN SEE THE HEAT ELEMENT IMPRESSION IN THE CLOTH UPHOLSTERY. AT THIS POINT WE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE USING THIS OPTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE HIGH TEMPERATURE. CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE A FIRE ISSUE IF WE CONTINUE TO USE IT. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 BONNEVILLE. TWICE DURING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED BEARINGS IN THE STEERING MECHANISM BECAUSE OF CLUNKING, BANGING, RUBBING NOISES AND PLAY IN THE STEERING. AT 87,000 MILES, IT BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE REPLACEMENT PART…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2002 BONNEVILLE. TWICE DURING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED BEARINGS IN THE STEERING MECHANISM BECAUSE OF CLUNKING, BANGING, RUBBING NOISES AND PLAY IN THE STEERING. AT 87,000 MILES, IT BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS ON AND NOW THE FIX WAS TO CHANGE THE OIL IN THE MECHANISM WITH A HEAVY DUTY OIL AT $160. IT LASTED 3 WEEKS. THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT COULD BE DONE. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE SLOPPY STEERING THAT INCREASES AS THE NOISES INCREASE . *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STABILITY SYSTEM. THE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY, STATING STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE. WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND DECELERATED TEMPORARILY. ALSO, IF THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE. A …
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STABILITY SYSTEM. THE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY, STATING STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE. WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND DECELERATED TEMPORARILY. ALSO, IF THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST , AND SAID IT WAS THE STABILITY SYSTEM SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR. *AK
I HAVE HAD BOTH REAR WINDOW GO DOWN AND WON'T COME BACK UP. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF READING OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ,BUT WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS REALLY A SHAME FOR SUCH A NICE LOOKING CAR TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T THE MANUFACTURER STAND BEHIND THERE WORK. AND FIX THE PROBLEMS??…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD BOTH REAR WINDOW GO DOWN AND WON'T COME BACK UP. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF READING OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ,BUT WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS REALLY A SHAME FOR SUCH A NICE LOOKING CAR TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T THE MANUFACTURER STAND BEHIND THERE WORK. AND FIX THE PROBLEMS??*JB
I RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR FOR MY 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE-CAMPAIGN #03034. IF I HAD REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THROTTLE BODY NUTS, OR THROTTLE BODY GASKET BEFORE AUGUST 8, 2003, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SINCE I ONLY HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AT THAT TIME AND HAD NOT REPLACED THESE ITEMS,…
Read full complaint
I RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR FOR MY 2002 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE-CAMPAIGN #03034. IF I HAD REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THROTTLE BODY NUTS, OR THROTTLE BODY GASKET BEFORE AUGUST 8, 2003, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SINCE I ONLY HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AT THAT TIME AND HAD NOT REPLACED THESE ITEMS, I HAD A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON 11-10-03. I MENTIONED AT THE TIME THAT WHEN I COME INTO MY GARAGE, I COULD SMELL HOT COOLANT. THE SHOP FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RECALL REPAIR TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY NUTS AND ADDED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A "STOP LEAK". WE TRIED AT THAT TIME TO GET A BETTER "FIX" TO PROPERLY REPAIR POSSIBLE PROBLEM, BUT THIS IS ALL SHOP WOULD DO. NOW, AFTER MY WARRANTY IS OVER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY UPPER INTAKE GASKET KIT SINCE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT EXTERNALLY. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BATTERY PROBLEM. THE POSITIVE TERMINAL CAME OUT OF THE BATTERY. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 25, 2005. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY ACID WAS SLIPPING OUT OF IT, AND THE BATTERY WAS IN THE BACK FLOOR BOARD. THEY NEUTRALIZED THE BATTERY ACID AND PUT …
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BATTERY PROBLEM. THE POSITIVE TERMINAL CAME OUT OF THE BATTERY. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 25, 2005. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY ACID WAS SLIPPING OUT OF IT, AND THE BATTERY WAS IN THE BACK FLOOR BOARD. THEY NEUTRALIZED THE BATTERY ACID AND PUT IN A NEW BATTERY. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AC DELCO SIDE TERMINAL BATTERIES. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE IN HER VEHICLE. *NM
EARLY WEAR AND REPLACEMENT OF FRONT LEFT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY. 2002 BONNIVILLE 41273 MILES. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB
ON 08/03/05 FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ON MY 2002 BONNEVILLE SSEI FAILED TO GO UP. THE BUTTON DIDN'T WORK ON THAT DOOR NOR ON DRIVER'S DOOR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME $458.25 FOR A REGULATOR AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY TO FIX IT. THEN ON 08/23/05, LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER, AGAIN FOR…
Read full complaint
ON 08/03/05 FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ON MY 2002 BONNEVILLE SSEI FAILED TO GO UP. THE BUTTON DIDN'T WORK ON THAT DOOR NOR ON DRIVER'S DOOR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME $458.25 FOR A REGULATOR AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY TO FIX IT. THEN ON 08/23/05, LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER, AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WHILE SITTING ON THE CARPORT NOT RUNNING, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CAME DOWN ALL BY ITSELF AND WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THAT WINDOW COST ME ANOTHER $440.51 AT THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM FEMALE (NOT THAT GENDER MAKES A DIFFERENCE), THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS CAR, AND ALL WINDOWS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW, HAVE RARELY BEEN USED. IT'S QUITE EVIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THESE WINDOWS. NOW I AM OUT NEARLY A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PONTIAC. NOW I'M WONDERING HOW LONG IT'LL BE BEFORE THE OTHER TWO GO OUT. ALSO NOTE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MARCH 2005, MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. OUT OF CURIOSITY, I HAVE CONDUCTED AN INTERNET RESEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS I HAVE WITH THE WINDOW FAILURES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY CASE IS DEFINITELY NOT AN ISOLATED ONE. QUITE A FEW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. MY LOYALTY TO AND CONFIDENCE IN PONTIAC IS NOW SOMEWHAT COMPROMISED AND I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION SOON.
Official recalls
203V238000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Jul 1, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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
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.