Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* 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. …
When I purchased my 1996 Pontiac Bonneville sse used I searched for any recalls on it I found 2 one for the intake breaking and one for the anti theft system I took it to local dealer they said it was not applicable to my vehicle now I have had issues with backfiring constantly and have even called Pontiac help line where I was informed that my VIN number was not valid and there were no recalls on my vehicle fast forward a few months and my wife this morning went to the store where the car backfired and the intake exploded into several pieces and large amounts of smoke issued from under the hood now this will undoubtedly cost me a small fortune to repair what am I to do now?
Ref: NHTSA recall #96V116000, fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system. Previously I attempted to crank the 1996 Bonneville and it made a loud noise like a shotgun being fired. My wife and daughter came out of the house and asked what made that sound. Today I was informed that the car had a cracked plenum,intake and it was going to cost over $600 to repair it. The car is at easley Pontiac in easley, sc. I asked them wasn't this a typical problem with the 3.8l v-6 engine and the service manager said yes. I asked him about any recalls and he said no. I then went to the internet and checked your web page and found there was a recall, as referenced above. I then called GM Pontiac service and spoke with ms. Tonya bristle and inquired about this specific recall. She called the dealership while I stayed on the telephone. …
Around jan 2008 while driving a plastic water hose burst. I replaced it and had no other problem until around aug 2008. This time the water pump started leaking. I replaced that and the thermostat and radiator cap, but I still kept loosing coolant. Then I found a crack in the radiator which I replace around the end of aug 2008. I still kept having to top off the coolant reservoir ever two days. About June 2008 I started having trouble with the veh starting, it would seem like it wasn't getting enough gas or flooding. It would be running but barley and it would not accelerate when you press the gas pedal. Finally it would start. It doesn't do it all the time but it's doing it more often now. I've fuel system and injection cleaners with no change. Then I went to NHTSA and found a recall 96v-116 that seems to be the cause of my problem. …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. When the contact started the vehicle, the engine backfired severely. He opened the hood and noticed that the engine plastic cover was shattered. He removed the cover and found that the upper intake manifold failed. The manifold was replaced, but the failure recurred when the vehicle was started. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system) pertaining to the same failure. He notified the dealer, but they could not locate the recall. The dealer referred him to the manufacturer, but they could not find any failures because the vehicle was older than ten years. The vehicle is currently at the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 93,495. Updated 1/26/09 updated 01/26/09.
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!!
While starting vehicle, it exploded and caught on fire. Had a recall done on jan 1998 for engine backfire, dealer contacted . Original recall NHTSA campaign #96V116000. Kentucky basic fire incident report stated that fire possibly started around the injector area of the engine. Consumer states that GM would not accept responsibility for fire and that there was nothing they could do.
When starting vehicle it backfired and caught fire in engine. Vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall 96V116000/ manufacturer's recall 97c02. Dealer was notified. *akconsumers car backfired, causing the manifold to fracture allowing water into the engine. The engine has been replaced and warrantied.
This is a fuel leak directly onto the exhaust system from atop. The gas tank rusted through lines from fuel pump to gas lines to the engine. Gas leaks directly onto the top of exhaust. Fire hazard. -----dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis----------------769751.
Dt*: the contact stated a leak in the brake line was discovered and resulted in the vehicle being taken to an independent mechanic. After further inspection it was determined the brake and fuel lines were rusted and required replacement. Updated 02/21/06.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
Fuel System complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville, 17% of the model year's 150 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-116 (fuel injection system, Jul 1, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.