Consumer Complaint Detail

PONTIAC / BONNEVILLE / 1999

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 003227833 Incident Date: Jul, 30 2003
Consumer's City: MONTEREY Consumer's State: CA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: General Motors, LLC
Model Name: BONNEVILLE Model Year: 1999
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 1G2HX52K3XH Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Aug, 02 2003 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: May, 13 1999
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 6 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: I have a 1999 pontiac bonneville and i noticed about 3 weeks ago that the coolant reservoir would not hold any coolant. i took the vehicle to butts motors to have a belt changed and the coolant leak investigated. they informed me that it was the upper manifold and gasket that needed to be replaced. i asked if those parts were part of the emissions system and the gentleman said, "yes it is. if you don't get it replaced you'll be spilling emissions all over the place." he then quoted me a hefty price of almost $900.00 to do the work. i told him that i believed that the upper manifold which he confirmed was part of the emissions system should be covered for 7 years/70,000 miles (federal emissions law). this particular problem is common among gm engines from 1995-1999. it is an issue covered in their technical service bulletin no: 01-06-01-007a, dated july 2001. it states that, condition: some owners may comment on excessive engine coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold." they continue," cause: upper intake manifold composite material may degrade around the egr stove pipe and could result in an internal or external coolant leak." the egr system, intake manifold, and the throttle body assembly are all covered under emissions. the serviceman at butts motors told me by phone on 31 july 2003, that the throttle body was covered under the powertrain warranty, which was, of course, expired. it is not covered under the powertrain. i want gm to cover the cost of the warranted parts/labor for this repair. the fact that the gasket is made of plastic and that the recommended coolant "dexcool" corrodes the plastic is not the fault of the consumer. this is a documented defect and should be corrected for the consumer at no cost. i sent this exact complaint statement to the california state attorney's office. i want general motors to take responsibility for and rectify its faulty products.*ak