NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,214 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Comments

problem #14

Dec 182011

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • 195,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This 2000 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8L with approximately 195K miles was operating normally over the last 72 hours. It had been driven approximately 300 miles between 12/16 and 12/18 @ 12:50 pm the date of the fire.that cold morning (8 degrees F) it was driven 10 miles rt @ 9am, 20 miles rt between 10:30 and noon, and then sat for approximately 1/2 hour before it was driven 5 miles to a local store by my son. When he arrived at the store/gas station he parked near the pumps and when he shut off engine to go into store, smelled burning smoke from the front of the car. He opened the hood and was greeted by active flames coming from the front of the engine. The fire was subsequently extinguished and the burned part of the engine was the top and front left quarter (facing the vehicle). The anti-freeze reservoir was melted through.

- Newport Center, VT, USA

problem #13

May 072011

Bonneville

  • 142,000 miles
After car was parked for 5 - 10 minutes fire in engine compartment.

- Kasson, MN, USA

problem #12

Dec 292010

Bonneville

  • 54,002 miles
I smelled a burning odor in my Bonneville SSEI. The local GM dealer, on the incident date in this form, told me the cause was oil dripping on the exhaust manifold and that it was a fire hazard. Upon further investigation, I found an existing NHTSA action number (EA07008) for the exact problem I am having for the exact 3800 series II V6 L67 GM engine. There were 2 recalls for cars with this engine, but my Pontiac model was not included (even though it has the exact same engine). The NHTSA campaign id numbers associated with the recalls are 08V118000 & 09V116000. I escalated this problem within GM and they told me to take the vehicle back to the GM dealer for another inspection. The GM dealer verified that my engine is the same as the recalled engine and that I have the same problem. GM refused to fix the problem because my vehicle's VIN wasn't specifically included in the recalls. I strongly believe my vehicle should have been included in the earlier recalls and now should be considered for a new recall to eliminate this safety hazard.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 132010

Bonneville

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fire ignited in the engine compartment while parked in a mall parking lot about 5 to 10 minutes after leaving vehicle completely destroying the front of the vehicle.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #10

Feb 282010

Bonneville

  • miles
I have a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville w/ a 3.8 V6 3800 series ll engine. I have noticed oil coming from the intake dripping down onto the manifold. There is a recall on the super charged 3800 series ll for the regal and Grand Prix. I would like to no why there is no recall on this model. Same problem, just not super charged. What happens if it catches fire like some of the others have" then will there be a recall" I have called the dealership and there is nothing they can do it is all on me.

- Rossville, GA, USA

problem #9

Jul 132009

Bonneville

  • 65,000 miles
I've run into a dex-cool problem with my Pontiac 2000. The car has 65.000 mi and the cylinder head gasket is starting to leak, eventually destroying the engine. What kind of recourse do I have after the dex-cool class action law suit is closed? the postmark and online submission deadline to submit a claim statement was October 27, 2008. I did not had any information about this class action suit and deadline. Since this is clearly an oem defect involving thousands of cars and drivers GM should have reacted responsibly and issued a recall.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #8

Apr 162006

Bonneville

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville. After exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an oil leak was discovered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 115,000.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #7

Jan 222007

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 1998 & a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville with 3.8L engines. I have replaced 2 intake manifolds on the 98 in 3 yrs and 1 on the 2K with only 30K miles. Ea cost $630 every auto mechanic knows GM put a bad plastic intake manifold on this engine and refuses to recall and replace them.

- Sterling Hts, MI, USA

problem #6

Mar 222005

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Consumer parked his vehicle in the garage, approximately 5 to 15 minutes later the vehicle caught fire. Half of consumer's home was destroyed. The next door neighbor alerted the consumer that smoke was coming from the garage. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #5

Nov 202004

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,001 miles
One nut and bolt on each side of inner panel under the hood in engine compartment were loose. I tightened about 4 to 5 turns on nut (used 18mm open end wrench). After this took it to dealer-ship to know what this two bolt does ? dealer-ship technician said those are the bolts for front motor mount and rear transmission mount. My concern is that those bolts might be started to damage in 4 year of vehicle life(possible shear at the inner panel in engine compartment). Dealer agreed to order this part but waiting for answer from Pontiac. There might be more consumer out there who might have same problem, because it is not visible until you check real close. I called Pontiac consumer center but they said that they are not responsible for this and I have to paid for the parts. Why consumer responsible for the defect left from manufacturer.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #4

Nov 022003

Bonneville 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle experienced ongoing stalling problem at any speed. Vehicle was taken to dealer on four separate occasions, and they were unable to determine the cause of the problem.

- Charleroi, PA, USA

problem #3

May 132003

Bonneville 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
In May 2003, plastic intake cracked, allowing coolant to leak into oil system of car. Intake plenum was replaced, as well as catalytic converter. This happened at approx 56,300 miles. Repair cost approx. $970. Now covered under recall for screws in plenum cover, however Pontiac only refunded $710 of expenses.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #2

May 172004

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles
I have had my 2000 Bonneville in the shop several times for various reasons. My radio had to be replaced, my drivers side window stopped working and they replaced the motor, now my passenger side window does not work and needs to be repaired. My trunk leaked and was told the extended warrenty did not cover it and the expense was on me. My air conditioner would blow cold air and then hot air or not blow cold air at all, it was in the shop 2-3 times for that. Now my car hesitates when speeding up and you can feel it jerking into gear when it shifts between 1st and 2nd gear or 2nd and 3rd. For this reason I had my transmission fluid replaced and an additive put in and was told this should take care of the problem. It has not!! my next step is to take it back to the dealership to find the problem. Is there anything I should know about concerning the transmission jerking, recalls, etc..?

- Ardmore, OK, USA

problem #1

Dec 152002

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Leaking coolant at the plenum and intake manifold gaskets. Replaced the upper plenum and the lower intake manifold gaskets.

- Northville, MI, USA

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