The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Bonneville. In 2003, while driving 15 mph, the contact noticed a huge cloud of white smoke at the rear of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intake manifold had blown the gasket. The intake manifold gasket was replaced as well as the intake manifold itself. In 2005, the fuel pressure regulator switch blew out and was repaired under recall; however, the failure recurred in 2007. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that this would cause the engine to blow due to leakage of fuel into the engine. Also, the rear window defroster switch would not shut off. He had to remove the fuse to prevent it from draining the battery. The failure mileage was 63,000 and current mileage was 104,000. Update 09/10/08 updated 09/19/08.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

Consumer was driving when the vehicle started back firing, lost power and stopped. The engine needed to be replaced.

- Auburn, NY, USA

On the morning of 7/15/04 while driving on loop 1604, san antonio tx, at approximatly 60 mph the engine stopped forcing me to try and get off the highway, my steering wheel locked and I only made it partway off the highway. My car engine would not restart and I was stuck halfway into the fast lane. Prior this this there was no indication of any problem with the vehicle, no lights came on except just as the engine was stopping telling me to check engine. There were no indicators saying the engine was over heating. I had the vehicle towed to car pro, in san antonio. The extended warranty is covered by heritage policy #hbb 313037, however, the policy states they do not cover emmission controls. Heritage insisted that other items be pulled from the vehicle before an adjuster would even be sent out. The adjuster told car pro he did not know why he was even sent out as they know they are having problems with the emmission control over heating and causing the plastic manifold to melt. Which of course leads to the fluids draining out and locking up the engine. So of course the repairs are not going to be covered and I have to foot the bill for even the extra heritage wanted done. Now car pro tells me that they have had problems with other vehicles with melted manifolds due to the emmission controls over heating and causing them to melt. The new replacement manifold has been upgraded and now has a metal area that sits over the emmissions control so when it gets hot it wont melt the manifold. This is a manufacturing problem, they know that and changed the manifold but did not recall it. Thus costing me over $1200 in damages and it could have been my life since my vehicle died on the highway in rush hour traffic.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. This caused the driver to drift to the side of the road. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection. The mechanic informed the owner that the intake manifold had cracked which caused the engine to fail. The intake manifold melted and allowed coolant into the cylinder.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Cracked plenem allowing fluid to leak into engine to the point of water locking it. Caused $1200 in parts and labor. 70,096 miles on vehicle.

- Waverly, NE, USA

The engine's plenum(spelling??) manifold started leaking water. My mechanic said it had "warped". he then told me that GM was having quite a problem with this part. He said he had replaced about 10 of these so far this year. And that his part distributor said there was a nationwide backorder on this plenum manifold. I contacted GM and was told there was no problem or backorders on this part. Would like to contact other GM owners to see if they have had similar problems with this part but don't know where to start. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

Vehicle was parked inside of the garage consumer started the vehicle an dit back fired, and the caught on fire. Consumer extinguished the fire, and a police report was taken. No injuries reported. Insurance company had the vehicle totaled.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

Engine plenum cracked. Sucked up coolant/anti-freeze, almost destroying the engine block.

- Spring, TX, USA

1999 Bonneville; 58,000 miles; it had been stalling intermittently for several weeks -- especially during turns. Before I could take it to the dealer, the car loses power on hwy 63; fortunately, I was able to pull over. The mechanic reports engine has locked up because coolant has leaked into the engine due to a known problem by GM of coolant leaking into engine and thus destroying the engine. Total costs to replace the engine, the manifold and damaged the starter amounted to a repair bill of $5300 after a 10% existing customer discount plus state taxes. I checked the ODI databases for '99 Bonneville's and almost a 1/3 of the 111 complaints relate to the same problems I had before my car engine was damaged and similar problems of coolant leaks into the engine. Does there have to be a injury before the NHTSA will act" why did the recent recall for the 2000 and newer models not cover the 1999's when GM has known of this issue of coolant leaking into the engine since the 1995/96 model year" please see my website for the analysis of the 1999 complaints www.Missouri.edu/~ryh352/2003/bonne.htm I, of course, want my $5,300 returned from GM. I also think it only fair that the recall extend to 1998 and 1999 Bonneville owners with less then 100,000 miles on their car and GM repair those cars free.

- Columbia, MO, USA

Consumer states that the vehicle water pump has failed.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The consumer's brother experienced the vehicle backfiring the an engine fire. The consumer is requesting the reimbursement of the deductible for the insurance claim. The consumer feels that there may be a negligence issue, per news article, that may uncover more incidents of this nature. Refer to recall#'s 010601008A and 99070. Scc referenced in EA02-030

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

After consumer started their vehicle, the engine blew up, without warning. The dealership indicated that the cause was a bad gas regulator valve.

- Wood Dale, IL, USA