The 3800 engine in my Pontiac has in the past two years for some reason has had to have the intake manifold replaced twice because it has cracked. I am trying to out if there is a recall or some sort of reimbursement for this problem on the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville or other 3800 series engines?

- Cambridge Springs, PA, USA

It is very obvious that GMC is refusing to acknowledge the apparent defects with the Pontiac Bonneville. My engine locked up in July 2001 with no prior warning. The mechanic that repaired the car told me that water and radiator fluid was coming out of the engine and the cheap plastic plentum had to be replaced. Now, the same exact problem has occurred once again on 11/07/2005. The car was only going 35 mph when the engine over-heated and this time it is costing me 2,321.00! I feel something should be done by GMC or research should be done to resolve this problem. It is extremely apparent that this is a defect in all 1998 Pontiac Bonneville and something should be done to address the problem. I have 3 children and cannot afford a new car nor can I afford to re-build or re-place my engine every 3-4 years.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

The intake manifold gasket (plenum) failed costing me $2000 in repairs. The gasket had been made of a faulty plastic by GM in trying to cut manufacturing costs. The car is a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville. I purchase it with 49,000 miles in 2003 and it cureently has 62,000 miles.

- Eugene, OR, USA

For the second time in about 2 years my 98 Bonneville had the plenum crack while simply driving at normal speeds. This allows water to enter top of motor which requires vehicle to be shut off immediately or motor will overheat until it is ruined. The car had about 50,000 miles at first occurrence and has 72,108 miles on it when it occurred again last Friday. Car is undrivable until parts can be bought and installed, making this a very dangerous situation if you are on highway when that occurs. It has cost more than $ $800 each time to get vehicle fixed and I now have no trust in this part of motor what so ever as there is no real reason why it occurs other than plenum being plastic so it can't stand up to normal pressures or temperature changes. Vehicle manufacturer has admitted they made a fix for problem but it is at owner's expense which does not seem fair as this is an obvious design flaw which allows dangerous situations for owner to happen.

- Lodi, WI, USA

The fuel pressure regulator leaked gasoline; allowing fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. A spark ignited the excess fuel causing an explosion and rupturing the manifold. The blast hit the car in front of me so hard they thought they had been rear-ended. Smoke bellowed out from under the hood, but luckily it didn't burn. It happened as I was entering an intersection and we nearly missed being broadsided. The car lost both power steering and brakes when it exploded and was very difficult to control. About 2 weeks before this it had been taken in for repairs because it was stalling out, difficult to start and the power steering and brakes had been failing. A new vacuum hose was installed. It had been repaired the year before because it leaked antifreeze into the engine, damaging it extensively. It is the second Bonneville I own that has done this. It is the third damaged engine that fits the description of the Buick recall- GM #03054. GM vehicles equiped with 3800 V6 engines.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

Engine/cooling system.

- Laporte, IN, USA

A plastic component in the engine of the 1998 Bonneville melted allowing antifreeze to enter the engine and causing engine failure. There was only 70,000 miles on the car. All replacement engines have the same plastic components and can have the same potential for engine failure or fire.

- Freeland, MI, USA

Engine failed while traveling on an interstate stranding my son and three friends for over 3 hours. The diagnosis is head gasket failure and will cost approx. $1300 to repair in addition to the $300 spent in towing fees. This is the 5th one of this make and model that we have been made aware that has had this problem. Does GM deliberately make engines to self-destruct?

- Monticello, IL, USA

No summary.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

Consumer states while driving vehicle started to make a wierd noise, vehicle started to loose power and engine died. Cause is unknown. Nlm

- Upper Strasburg, PA, USA

While driving and without warning, engine stalled, resulting in vehicle becoming inoperable. Consumers wife was coming to a stop when the engine froze. The vehicle lost all coolant and radiator water due to the plenum melting from the egb tube. The poor design has been corrected by GM, but as a repair bulletin and not a safety recall.

- Slidell, LA, USA

Consumer was traveling on highway and smelled a rotten smell coming from vents area., and without prior warning, vehicle shutdown inside of parking lot.

- Avoca, PA, USA

Consumer states the engine blew while driving.

- Ludlow, MA, USA

There was a crack in the intake valve, vehicle broke down and caught on fire when they attempted to start vehicle, claim 13-9723-630.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Intake manifold blew up and a fire started in the engine, claim 40-2468-798.

- Duluth, GA, USA

Vehicle was being jump started with an external battery pack, and when cranked there was an internal engine explosion, the manifold cover blew off and injector out, claim 35-W429-786.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

Consumer went to start vehicle, there was a loud pop noise and vehicle started smoking, fire in engine compartment, claim 13-7560-177.

- Batavia, IL, USA

The vehicle broke down and caught on fire at the dealership, when they attempted to start the vehicle, there was a crack in the intake valave. Claim#13-9723-630

- Chicago, IL, USA

Intake manifold blew up and fire started in engine. Claim number 40-2468-798.

- Duluth, GA, USA

Vehicle was being jumped started with an external battery pack, when cranked there was an internal engine explosion, blew manifold cover off and injectors out. Claim number 35-W429-786.

- Hamilton, OH, USA