The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that several attempts had to be made before succeeding in starting vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where the failure was located at the intake manifold and oxygen sensor. The intake manifold cap was melting and causing oil to spill. In addition, the failure was producing white smoke from the tailpipe exhaust. The vehicle was repaired but the contact was unsure as to the exact repairs made to the vehicle. The contact also stated that the anti-theft system failed and would alert the contact that the doors were opened, and the seat belts were not secured erroneously. The fuel injection system was also defective and was repaired by replacing the fuel injector, and adding fuel cleaner. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers: 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system) and 95V204000 (electrical system: Ignition: Anti-theft controller) however, the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in either recall campaign. The current mileage was 158,000. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

This car belongs to my elderly mother which she bought used and has been an on going problem! occasionally when starting the car, the engine will backfire, after starting it would run ok. The car now does not run as the intake manifold is broken from the backfiring and almost caught on fire the last time it was attempted to start the motor! according to Pontiac there is no recall on this car by the VIN number!!

- Iola, TX, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving between 35-40 mph, the vehicle gradually lost power and shut off. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, it backfired. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the upper intake manifold was cracked and would cost $503 to repair. The current mileage was 176,000 and failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 04/08/08. The battery was replaced due to the vehicle not starting.

- Mableton, GA, USA

1)coolant loss from plastic upper intake. 2)egr pipe burn through failure, upper and lower gasket failure. 3)replace upper plastic intake, upper and lower gaskets, coolant elbow oil and filter change. (5 hrs labor).

- Plainville, CT, USA

After starting vehicle intake manifold failed, and vehicle became inoperative.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

The plastic intake manifold melted causing coolant to leak into the engine. 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.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

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.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

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.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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.

- Union, SC, 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

The vehicles plastic intake manifold cracked which caused antifreeze to leak into the engine. The consumer had to pay for a new engine.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

On 02/18/2002, 04:20 am, my wife went to start the car to let it warm up before going to work. Upon start up, there was an explosion and there was a fire instantly. I ran out and rolled the car out of the carport and into the back yard. The neighbor came running with a fire extingusher and put out the fire just before the fire department arrived. There was a recall (your number 96V116000). The upper intake manafold did fracture from one end to the other...gapping open about two and a half inches.. my car was repaired for this recall on 01/19/1998. I guess that this was not a fix for the problem. The GM investigater looked at the car and told me "that there was nothing that we had done to cause this problem". he would not say anymore. On 02/18/2002, the prrson for GM called and said that they would not accept any liability for the problem. If the recall was not a fix for the problem, there are (accourding to your figures),275,811 vehicles out there that this could still happen to. Lord, help the person that is looking over the engine when it is being started. It will take their head off. Thank you, [xxx] referenced in EA02-030 parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Central City, KY, USA