Car stalls with no warning, sometimes the car will start but 99% of time car has to sit for a long period of time before it will start. If car is turned off and then you try to start it back up it won't start. Don't have any idea of what is causing the problem. Would appreciate it if anyone could let me know how to fix.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Driving at 65 mph. Exhaust suddenly began spewing copious amounts of white smoke, which blinded many other motorists moving at the same speed. Engine began running very rough. I pulled over and shut it down. Vehicle was towed to mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a blown head gasket. Head gaskets were changed, as were all others needed to do this repair. Upon re-filling the radiator with antifreeze, it began leaking from unexpected places. Upon further investigation, it was determined that this was yet another case of the upper intake tunnel (plastic) having failed. I called the dealer, and was informed that this part has been redesigned, and due to the huge numbers of these needing to be manufactured and sold, the price has been reduced significantly. The old part had to be turned in to the dealer as a 'core' item.

- Corfu, NY, USA

Auto engine cuts out when going down hill. Shift to neutral and restarts with no problem. However, loss of power cuts out power steering, power brakes, etc.

- Fairport, NY, USA

When the consumer attempted to start the vehicle there was a loud bang and the consumer could see smoke coming from under the vehicle. A few seconds later the consumer noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The fire was extinguished by the drivers husband. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but was declined any type of assistance. The consumer referenced recall # 96V116000 but was told that her vehicle did not fit the scope of the recall.

- Brodnax, VA, USA

GM technical service bulletin 01-06-01-007A identifies an inherent design flaw on the 3.8 L engine (VIN K - RPO L36) available in the following vehicles:995-1997 Buick riviera995-1998 Buick Lesabre, Park Avenue. 1996-1998 Buick regal 1998 Chevrolet lumina, Monte Carlo 1995-1996 Oldsmobile ninety-eight 1995-1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 1998 Oldsmobile intrigue 1995-1998 Pontiac Bonneville 1997-1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GM minimizes the impact of the problem by identifying one of the symptoms as owner complaining of a small coolant leak. The fact is that in most cases the leak is not visible. The coolant typically leaks internally by the egr stove pipe into the engine's intake manifold where it builds up. Eventually the coolant level in the intake manifold rises to the point where the coolant will get sucked into one of the cylinders. In less severe cases, when it happens at idle or low RPM, this causes the engine to seize and stall. In the most severe cases, when it happens at high RPM, the hammering effect of the engine trying to compress a liquid, causes the affected piston to shatter (my case). This is a catastrophic engine failure caused by a design flaw. When this happens on a highway at 75 mph (my case) there is great potential for an accident and injury to passengers. I was lucky, but I still had to replace my engine with a remanufactured one at my expense. GM is fully aware of the problem. GM repair centers are attributing the failure to normal wear and tear and are charging owners to replace the flawed parts with the new design. I spoke with a service manager at a local dealership and he stated that he has seen a lot of vehicles coming in with the same failure, the less severe case being the most common. They commonly just drain the affected cylinders and replace the flawed parts with the new design. I asked him how did he know if the affected piston had been damaged causing a catastrophic failure later on. He did not have an answer.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

The problem was with the plastic intake manifold. The intake manifold leaked water into the motor and caused it to lock up. The part was replaced. The consumer felt the vehicle should be classified as a lemon.

- Murphysboro, IL, USA

Engine failure cylinders filling with coolant. Talked with several independent garages and they say it's a common occurrence with the 3800 V6. Spoke with Pontiac dealer in gainesville ga. According to parts/service department there are no tech bulletins released from GM. Wanted to know if there have been other complaints re: 1995 Pontiac Bonneville's 3800 V6's. according to independent garage the intake gasket and head gaskets failures. The car also has a water leak into the passenger cabin and trunk as well, appears to leaked since it was manufactured. I owned an Oldsmobile with a similar problem in 1992 and the factory didn't seal the cowl area properly when the car was assembled. Thanks for your input!

- Cleveland, GA, USA

While driving at 65mph on flat surface with no warning vehicle will shut off, and it will be hard for consumer to start it back up. Dealer notified.

- Nebo, NC, USA

Car dies while at stop and while driving-first replaced ? and 2nd the crankshaft; brakes feel like locking up when applying for stop; rpms go from 2 to 31/2 after driving a while at about 70mph

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Bearing in crankshaft went out.

- Oswego, IL, USA

While driving 35mph vehicle started to vibrate when gas pedal was pressed. Engine light would come on & then vehicle stalled out. Coasted to side of road. Contacted dealership. Had vehicle towed. Mechanic could not resolve problem. Restarted vehicle & then cut off again. Took to different dealer for repairs. Stalling out or cutting off problem still exists. Been at dealership over a month.

- Deerborn, MI, USA

I was told by koons that the head was cracked be either a failed thermostat, gasket or a water pump (all replaced by koons in April 2000). Once they found out the replaced all these items - their story changed to a thousand other excuses. I find it hard to believe that a 5 year old car with the proper maintenance being done to it can blow an engine that easily. Something failed to make the car overheat and crack the head.

- Campsprings, MD, USA

Engine failure on numerous occasions due to failure of the crankshaft angle sensor. Mjs

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Gasket failure. Qcaw

- San Pedro, CA, USA