1996 Pontiac Bonneville plastic manifold in engine from manufacture broke causing dex coolant to leak into engine destroying seals/head gaskets. Replace at dealer gasket, gasket kit, valve, valve kit, upper manifold, lower manifold reseal, coolant. Dealer does not honor recall.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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 $160 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 $90 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.

- Hudson, FL, USA

An independent dealer replaced the manifold gasket and upper plenum on 01/16/04, 03/15/04 the gasket and egr valve was replaced, and the plenum gasket was replaced on 02/27/03. Coolant leaked from the intake manifold.

- Oxford, ME, USA

The egr valve stuck 67% in the open position at idle which caused coolant to leak into the engine. Plastic air plenum was replaced.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

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.

- Brighton, TN, USA

Car was at aproximately 87000. Turned the car on, there was a loud explosion and smoke came out from under the hood, didnt see any flames, popped open the hood, and smoke just continued to pile out. Engine light came on, and the mechanic found the engine was on its last breath. Had engine relaced for a used engine with 4500 miles on it for $1500. Soon after the engine the alternator started to die, where just by standing next to the car you can hear metal to metal grinding noise coming from it. Paid $100 to get new alternator. Right after alternator the eg R valve died, had it replaced, another $300 spent. Now come spedometer saying 99000 but the second engine only having 60000 the serpentine belt cracked and worn out beyong believe. Another $75 spend. While having that replaced the mechanic pointed out puddles of oil on the engine, thus the manifolds/gasket on engine#2 will soon need to have work done.should I contact the local dealer about the gaskets leaking...does it relate to the recall that was made on the manifolds.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

1st the plenum was melted by the egr valve, which caused me to be stranded. When that was fixed, I began hearing a high pitched whine once the engine is heated up. We have replacedthe harmonic balancer power steering pump, water pump, all belts, checked the timimg chain, and everything else we could think might be causing it, but I still have the whine. Cause is unknown still.

- Merrill, MI, USA

The engine leaked coolant.

- Cutchogue, NY, USA

Cooling system leakage-the black plastic cover on the intake manifold leaks coolant/water. It leaks when the weather is cold, it does this when ever parked and the car is allowed to sit and get cold. There is clear evidence it is leaking around the base of the plastic cover where it seals against the aluminum intake manifold. It has done this every winter for the past four winters. It is getting worse, and from the complaints I have read it is common to the 3.8 L engine. It does not leak at all in the summer or fall, only in the winter below 35 degree's. what is the real problem and is there a solid fix for this, or are all repairs just temporary until the new gaskets start leaking again" is there any type of recourse or recall" the colder it gets, the bigger the leak and the puddle under the car. It also stinks when you drive it while the coolant cooks on the motor.

- Chesterfield Twp., MI, USA

The engine experienced a coolant leak.

- Cutchogue, NY, USA

1996 Pontiac Bonneville 3800 K engine. Upper intake manifold failed at 63000 miles causing coolant to leak.

- Palatine, IL, USA