The intake manifold gasket on my 1997 Pontiac Bonneville 3800 series engine failed causing coolant to gain access to internal engine parts. This caused the engine to seize and become totally inoperable requiring the engine to be replaced at a cost of $2200. This failure also happend in a Pontiac Grand Prix, that I also owned, with the same series of engine. The cost of the repair to the Grand Prix was approx. $650. The engine in the Grand Prix did not have to be replaced. Looking at and reading the various GM message boards on the internet, this problem seems to be fairly prevalent with the 3800 series of engine. GM continues to ignore this with no regard to the consumer.

- Dubois, PA, USA

G.M. 3800 seriesii V-6 engine plastic upper intake manifold plenum & gaskets. Failure of inferior parts in conjuction with dex cool (G.M. anti-freeze/coolant). Causing deterioration and failure of plenum forcing coolant into engine. Engine immediately seizes, trying to restart will cause damage to starter, flywheel, batt.,and engine. Remedy" tow to G.M. service center replace upper intake manifold plenum, manifold gskts, spark plugs & wires, starter, pwr-flush eng.& cooling sys.,replace all fluids. G.M. is aware of problem they should be held accountable. Service mngr. Told me damages to veh.was not due lack of maintenance but use of plastic parts and coolant by G.M. this a major defect & problem. Cost of repairs" $1,300.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

While driving at normal speed driver began to see smoke coming from the vehicle. Driver proceeded to drive home, and parked vehicle. A mechanic stated that there was a whole in the plenum that allowed water to leak and warp the heads.

- Abilene, TX, USA

The vehicle stalled on several occasions, the vehicle was taken to three different dealers and they all stated the computer showed no errors.

- Dacula, GA, USA

While driving a 100 miles from home the car overheated & had to be towed. We found that the problem was due to a hole in the air plenum in the upper intake manifold. We have found that there are over 20 such cases in our small community alone. All on 3800 motors in Pontiac's. this is a four hundred dollar repair bill that occurred only because Pontiac decided to use plastic in their part which in turn melted & caused our motor to overheat. I hope that Pontiac will recall these plenums & reimburse us for the cost of repairing & towing our car. If Pontiac would call their dealers they would find out just how many of these parts have malfunctioned.

- Home, KS, USA

Intake manifold failure on 1997 Pontiac Bonneville. Coolant entered into cylinder #4 causing engine to seize. Total cost of repair approximately $900. Reoccuring problem has been reported with this particular engine, and calls to Pontiac resulted in no satisfaction.

- Glenmont, NY, USA

Consumer states that while driving at any speed the engine light comes on and will stay on the remainder of the time the vehicle is being operated. Dealer notified.ts

- Murrayville, GA, USA

Vehicle will intermittently stall out while consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer replaced crank sensor signal which dealer stated could be the problem.

- Richland, MI, USA

My car wouldn't start and there were no electrical components functioning. I called the car dealership where I purchased the warranty and was told to make sure I didn't have a dead battery because that was not covered under the warranty. I called the towing company and they attempted to charge the battery. Battery would not charge; the car went "puff" and caught on fire. When the wrecker driver attempte to start the car, he heard a loud "pop" and smoke was rolling out from under the hood. He opened the hood, battery was intact, however the engine was on fire. After fire was extinquished, he found the plenum(?sp) blown off the top F the engine and the oil filtler tube was blown out of he top of te manifold. Warranty company would not cover due to the fact the car caught on fire. They said my car ins should cover it. However, I believe the fire was the result of a previously existing defect. I was told the foam used to extinguish the fire could possibly have caused more problems in the engine. Was I supposed to let the car completey burn up? I don't think so!

- Glen Dale, WV, USA

The plastic engine cover creates wear spots on the spark plug wire insulation. This has caused wires to short, resulting in hesitation and vehicle stalling.

- Louisburg, NC, USA

Perpetual oil leak around engine oil pan.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

Adue to a defective design the rear engine gasket cracked, causing an oil leak, which may result in a fire if there is a source of ignition. Pontiac has a new design of the oil pan..et

- Lake City, IA, USA