Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Pontiac Bonneville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had left my lights on and battery went dead. Went to jump the vehicle and charge the battery. Cables connected correctly. When I went to start the vehicle, I heard a loud explosion noise like a back fire but saw a flame then smoke out of engine. The engine hood was closed since the battery is located under the back seat or this could have been fatal or a serious injury. The flame must have been extinguished by the fluids? When we opened the hood after a short period, we found that their was some type of explosion in the engine. The vehicle was stationary and in my driveway
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire and exploded when the ignition key was inserted. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
My car caught on fire back in January 2020 under the hood on my way to work the fire started behind the vale cover gaskets and now oil is leaking on the manifold gaskets and gas is mixing with the oil and I can't drive my car anymore help me please.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil out of the valve cover gasket and the spark plug wire retainer causing a misfire. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but failed to properly accelerate while driving. The contact stated that there were fumes inside of the vehicle which caused eye irritation. The contact stated that the TPMS, check engine, service engine, seat belt, and air bags warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, after refueling, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate fuel reading. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the spark plug retainer and valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. …
We had a lot of snow and I live on a slight hill. Went to start the car that was covered in snow to move the car on the other side of the street facing down hill. I turned the key to start the car and heard it pop or backfire which it had never done before. I tried again to start the car and now it sounded like the battery was dead (which I knew it could not have been). The next thing I knew, a neighbor ripped open my driver door and was pulling me out of the car saying "your car is on fire". My neighbors called 911 for the fire department who came and put the fire out but the car was totaled! I am fortunate that the neighbors heard the pop, came outside, saw the flames under the car, and I was not hurt. This happened with the car parked right in front of my house! Still unbelievable and very frightening!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise when first started and caught on fire. The fire department was called and assisted with extinguishing the fire. There were no injuries. After the fire was extinguished, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pressure regulator, upper intake manifold, fuel injectors, fuel line, master cylinder, alternator, engine wiring harness, coolant reservoir, accelerator cable, and several other components would need to be replaced. The cause of the fire was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 86,700.
On October 27,2011 I came on from work around 7:00 pm turn my car of and went into the house. I heard some one bamming on the back door , I open the door and a guy said that your car is on fire he asked if I had any on else in the house I told him yes so I go inside to get my children out the house. That is when I saw the same guy who was knock on the door use my hose pipe spraying water on the car. At that time I called the sheriff's department they advise me that the plaquemine fire department was on there way. The fire department put the rest of the fire out. One of the fire fighter told me that it was an electrical fire.
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. While driving out of the driveway, the engine made an abnormal banging sound and the vehicle caught fire. The engine blew up and produced a thick cloud of smoke. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown.
Drove vehicle for 25 miles from work to day-care facility to pick up my daughter. Drove under various speeds. Parked car and went into pick up daughter came back out and smoke was coming from beneath the hood. Opened the hood and there was a fire near the exhaust manifold and valve cover area. Fire was spreading to plug wires, plastic engine cover and the wiring harness near the throttle body.
I attempted to start my 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. It was parked in my garage. A load explosion from under the hood followed by flames. I opened the hood and put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. The intake manifold was split wide open.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated March 12, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA recall number 08v-118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 Buick regal gs and Pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of GM's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from August 1996…
Engine complaints in other Bonneville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, 24% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 12 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.