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 1999 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There has been a problem with a gas leakage. The fuel supply line fitting at the fuel injector rail was the problem. O-rings were replaced, things seemed fine - no gas smell or leakage. This lasted for appx. 24 hours. I drove about 7 miles to and from work three times, a total of 21 miles, stopped at a library, came out, smelled gas, was driving the car home - one mile - was going to park it and get someone to look at it. I stopped at the mailboxes and heard a slight poof sound under the hood.when I looked up I saw smoke bellowing out from under the hood. I grabbed my purse and jumped out. From a distance I saw 2" balls of fire dropping from the engine to the street, called the fire department and watched my car go up in flames while waiting for them to show up - all because of one small plastic piece under the hood. …
' Takata recall" driving and the car cut off..after I stop the car and turn the key off. Was able to re start the car. This has happen a few times. This is not a safe thing when driving on the free ways ....I was in motion and on the street. There was a recall on this but was not were of it this was in 2009 now it 2016 and the part in my car is not working?
My 1999 Pontiac Bonneville exploded when the key was turned in the ignition & fire shot out from under the hood. When the key was turned off, the fire stopped. I had the car towed to a private mechanic who replaced the a fuel injecter & upper intake plenum (which was in pieces from the explosion). My bill was $430.63. In June 2004, I received a recall letter from GM corporation saying there was a safety issue with fuel pressure regulator diaphragms leaking. The letter described the following: "a leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. In low battery conditions, if the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a spark can cause a back fire. The back fire can rupture the intake manifold, causing a loud bang. …
I've had major problems with my 99 Bonneville, costing me over $2,400. It started at 64,000 miles (6/26/02) with a backfire caused by a faulty fuel pressure regulator, which now has a service recall (a little too late); that cost me $300. A week later, the upper manifold plenum leaked causing the engine to flood and die; I spent over $500 on that little project (replacing the manifold and cleaning the engine). It never ran right after that; I had extremely low gas mileage and lack of power, and the engine light kept coming on and off and it stalled on many occasions. After about six months of this, it died again on 3/22/03. This time, it spun the main bearing and the lower half was ruined. I went to three different mechanics before I could find someone willing to touch it, but I found a good mechanic that rebuilt the lower half (versus replacing the engine) for $1,600. …
Tl 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.
Upon accelerating onto the highway, after reaching highway speed, vehicle stalls and would not start. Flooding engine, gasoline coming out of exhaust, engine would not restart. After research and replacing leaking lower intake manifold, this was not my problem there was no leak. After more research I replaced more sensors and eventually cylinder gaskets and lower intake gasket again. Still engine would not start. After 2 years of car sitting I unplugged maf sensor and then it started finally. Faulty maf sensor but no way to find out unless it is unplugged because sensor did not give off any pertaining fault code pointing to the problem specifically.
Regulator failure on vehicle has caused the intake gaskets to blow out. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer twice to have the plenum replaced due to fuel pressure regulator malfunction. The consumer was told that both times the regulator failed causing a backfire, blowing the intake gaskets. This in turns caused the exhaust tube in the plenum to get too hot therefore burning a hole in the plenum. The consumer finally eceived a recall not related to the problem and submitted paperwork for reimbursement. The manufacturer only reimbursed the consumer a portion of what was actually paid in repairs.
Request for reimbursement for damage to engine from a pulled fuel injector. While pulling into a parking lot the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that a pull fuel injector flooded the injector, pistons, cylinders, crankcase and engine with gasoline which resulted in a blown engine. A 1998 replacement engine was installed from another vehicle. The consumer requested reimbursement because he believed the failure was related to a recall (recall #03054b). The consumer filed a claim for reimbursement but was denied.
G.m recall # 040v09000 was performed on my 1999 Pontiac Bonneville on July 2004. Fuel pressure regulator was replaced, the part has failed again and had to be replaced again. I contacted Pontiac and asked to be reimbursed for the cost of the part. Pontiac has informed me they will not cover the cost of the part as the car is out of warranty. The car was not under warranty when the part was recalled and replaced in 2004. Is GM only required to replace the part one time?
My 1999 Pontiac Bonneville equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators was found to have a pin hole leak in the diaphram causing fuel leaks and engine backfire. This is similar to safety recall 04V090000, yet pontaic says none of the Pontiac Bonneville are included why not??? Sounds like it is also a problem on this car also.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on June 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on September 30, 2004.
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 1999 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Pontiac Bonneville, 16% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-090 (delivery, Feb 24, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Bonneville fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 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.