Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
09V116000GENERAL MOTORS CORP. V (Vehicle)149751604/09/2009ODIGENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/08/200904/08/2009
Defect SummaryGeneral motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Consequence SummaryIf the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers will remove the spark plug wire retention channel at the front of engine and install two new spark plug wire retainers free of charge. the recall is expected to begin during may 2009. owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
NotesGm recall no. 09047.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
03060101003/01/200310001282Engine oil or coolant leak. *tt04/25/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
01060100709/01/2007010601007C619176Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) *tt updated 11/02/07 *nj05/17/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04060102106/01/200410012148New rear main seal and special tool for installation. *tt02/15/2005
31803180A10010868Dealers may comment on a chuggle, surge, misfire condition. *tt12/15/2004
03-06-01-01004/01/2008030601010C10004768Engine oil or coolant leak. *tt gm reminder. *tt install new lower intake manifold gasket. updated 7/18/08 *pe01/06/2004
010601002A12/01/200201060100210000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt03/31/2003
010601008A05/01/2002010601008634813Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak. *tt10/09/2002
01060100802/01/2001619177Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak. *tt05/17/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
02060101404/01/2002634708Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation. *tt10/07/2002
010601010A06/01/20010106010101620810Subject regarding polymer service pistons. *tt08/30/2001
990604005A04/01/2001990604005619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt05/24/2001
99060400502/01/1999776304A604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt04/26/1999
9805910/01/1998602745Subject on engine misfire - inspect/ replace ignition control module. *yc01/11/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
311501/01/200410009950Engine intake manifold coolant leak. *sc11/02/2004
04060101706/01/200410008471New upper intake manifold and gasket kits. *tt08/02/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/13/2007150001
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet monte carlo. for the past two years, the vehicle would decelerate on its own intermittently. the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle began smoking under the hood while driving between 45-55 mph. the vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing and they duplicated the failure. the mechanic stated that the engine would need to be disassembled in order to determine the cause of the failure. the manufacturer stated that they were not liable for the repairs. the current mileage was 16,500 and failure mileage was 15,000. updated 11/04/09. *lj updated 11/05/09.*jb
07/15/200385000
 3.1 engine intake manifold gasket leak. this problem started just out of warranty and was able to keep the car going till now with stop leak. i took the manifold off and the gasket looks to be broken in four places. a friend of mine paid almost 500 dollars to fix the leak on his 3.1 last week. chevy says there is no problem. just look on the net there"s thousands of people like us .chevy case #1-12-2500234 started about 38000 miles used stop leak to keep it going till 80000 miles replaceing gaskets at this time chevy says there is no problem ya right
12/15/200251223
 Vehicle has a 3.1l v6 engine that was leaking coolant as a result of a cracked intake manifold gasket. i was told by my mechanic that they are replacing this gasket on at least one vehicle a week. and they are just a small shop. the first problem i noticed with this vehicle was a slow leak in the cooling system. this occurred in the summer of 2002. later in the year, i noticed coolant on the garage floor and thought perhaps the radiator was leaking. when i took the car in to be repaired on december 16, 2002, it had 51,223 miles on it. the cost of just repairing the intake manifold gasket was $482.21 plus tax, for a total of $512.35.
07/21/2003
 Consumer states that while driving and with no warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. dealer notified.*ak
03/08/200377800104/04/1999
 Intake manifold gasket leak, 1999 chev monte carlo. notice low radiator coolant at about 50m, problem got worse and found that dexcool coolant was leanking to the outside of the engine from the intake manifold.
02/15/20039800003/18/2000
 Intake gasket blown on 99 monte carlo 3.1 engine. loosing 1/2 quart of anitfreeze per day. mechanic has seen the same problem on 3.1 and 3.4 engines. gm is using a plastic and rubber intake gasket that does not hold up. there is no updated gasket. the repair is done with an identical gasket.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
11/20/200491000102/24/2001
 My 1999 monte carlo stated leaking antifreeze dips at a time. then the next thing i know there was puddles of anti-freeze under my car. i took the car to a shop and the mechanic said i needed a intake manifold gasket and that's going to be $450.00. i didn't have the money so i had the car pushed home and now i am waiting to get the car fixed when i can come up with the money. *jb
10/15/200474000104/09/1999
 Intake gasket leaking coolant. *ak
11/18/20031
 The intake manifold gasket had to be replace after losing coolant- $650.00 repair. *nlm
12/21/200290000106/09/1999
 My 1999 chevrolet monte carlo ls, engine 3100 v-6, has needed a particularly expensive repair twice. this repair was to fix a coolant leak near/on the intake manifold gasket. the first repair (at 52,000 miles) was done under warranty, the second (at 90,000 miles) was done at a local service station because the car was no longer under warranty. with this problem, the coolant leaks out fairly quickly, and could cause an engine fire if the engine gets too hot, also the coolant is flammable. this problem was the subject of a recall of several gm models with 2000 to 2002 model year cars (chevy, pontiac, etc) with the 3100 and 3800 engine models. however, the 1999 models have not been recalled, and my car with i know many others have the same problems with the same engine parts as the 2000 to 2002 model year cars. i paid the second repair at my own expense of approximately $825. i have called chevrolet and they have denied any reimbursement for my expenses incurred for the repair. is there any other way i can ssek to have the repair reimbursed? in any case, shouldn't the recall affect the 1999 or previous models?*ak
09/06/2002108/01/2099
 At 59-60k miles my intake manifold gasket is 'seeping' according to the chevrolet dealer, my water pump is also seeping - $750 to fix - i find a major problem at 60k miles unbelieveable, the water pump, sure, but the intake manifold gasket? i had a second opinion formed by 2 other mechanics who have both seen the same problem in the same engine (3.1l) w/this car - shouldn't chevy do something?*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
03/30/200544554111/09/2001
 We were preparing to take a long trip and took our 1999 monte carlo into our mechanic for a pre-trip once-over. he just called and informed us that the radiator was almost empty and that there is a leak in the intake manifold gasket, it can (and will) be fixed for a cost of $750.00. our mechanic has a small shop and he has fixed the same problem at least once a month on gm products with a 3.1 liter engine, he just had a buick last week with the identical problem. doesn't anybody else see this as an issue that gm needs to take some kind of action about?? we would have been livid if this car had broken down in the desert on the way to las vegas!! we were really happy with this vehicle, but now plan to sell it and we will be looking for something witout a recurring problem of this magnitude! *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03/05/20041
 Intake manifold coolant leak on 3.1 engine, with a cost of $ 650.00 for this repair. seems to be a common occurence with all the 3.1 liter engines. maybe it's time gm stepped up to the plate, and took a look at this problem. no wonder imports are becoming more popular!!!*ak
05/10/20041
 When driving at an undetermined speed consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the engine. consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine failed. *ak
01/23/200431468208/19/1999
 At 31k intake manifold gasket and trans pan gasket are leaking according to chevrolet dealership. auto has the 3.1 l. engine. dealership not overly concerned and this appears to be normal for a monte carlo. initially the trans pan gasket repair was considered an owner maintenance responsibility rather than a covered extended warranty item. after speaking with dealership and advantage a 2nd time, it was determined that the repair was to be covered through the warranty. in my opinion, chevrolet doesn't want to stand behind its product. i am very disappointed and will definitely never buy another gm product. *jb
02/01/2002107/02/2001
 Head gasket failed. *tt
1
 Consumer states while driving at 45mph intake gasket failed, causing engine to overheat. dealer contacted. nlm
02/01/2002107/02/2001
 Head gasket failed. *tt
209/01/1999
 The pistons and rings were initially replaced after hearing tapping noises in engine compartment. five months later, the cam and lifters were replaced which still doesn't seem to have fixed the engine problems. the brake caliper has hung up numerous times since the car purchased. complaints started for that problem soon after purchase and was finally fixed in may of 2001. june 2001, problem still exists. dealer says in order to check the problem we have to pay diagnostic fee even though the factory warranty is still in effect. june 2001, now the tensioner pulley is bad. what next???
01/03/2001109/01/1998
 Sheared bolt was found on my garage floor after driving to and from work. tow truck driver said he had never seen this happen before. dealer claims i hit something, but no other damage is visible. i didn't drive because i felt it was unsafe, but would appreciate knowing if the is a manufacturer defect to obtain cost of repair and towing and hopefully save someone else's life.*ak
03/15/2000109/01/1999
 :this seems to be a ongoing problem with a large margarity of monte carlos. my understanding is that a dealer memo went out in 1998 notifiying chevy dealers of possible piston problems. i have spoken to a few monte carlo owners and find this to not be a rare problem. pistons are blowing through the engines while driving. i was aware enought to hear a knock and knew enough about cars to get it checked i spoke to a girl who owns a 1999 monte carlo her engine blew while driving down the road at 17,000 mile. she now has a new engine with 7,000 miles and it has a knock in the engine. this is a very serious problem i am concerned for the saftey of my children and myself as well as other monte carlo owners who are not aware of this problem and might consider taking there familys on a long trip somewhere. possible leaving them stranded or hurt if the engine blows while driving on the highway. chevy is aware of this problem yet it still continues to manufacture the same engine from the original memo date of 1998 to present. this shows a serious lack of saftey or concern for consumers on the part of chevy. please help me as this is a large expense and i truly do now have a concern for my familys saftey on future planned trips. i bought a new car for the security of knowing my children will be safe , for this reason i did not buy a car that was old or with a rebuilt engine. yet chevy solution is to rebuild my engine end of story according to them . you are probably the only chance ending the productin of this faulty engine. please contact me as soon as possible. thank you. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
11/14/2002
 While driving consumer heard a knocking noise from the vehicle engine. consumer took vehicle for service. mechanic indicated that the type of oil used is not heavy enough to lubricate the bearings which results in engine damage. consumer states that this was the type of oil told to use in the vehicle owner's manual. ts
07/31/2002203/01/2002
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
08/17/20001
 Consumer states that the engine feel like it stalls when accelerating and making turns, had engine oil flushed. *jg
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
09/21/20081894571
 I was at a friends for several hours proceeding incident. i drove my 1999 chevy monte carlo z34 about 1 mile from my friends to taco bell. the car had been running great. i went inside to order i was in their 10-15 minutes. when i came out smoke was coming from under the hood. i opened the hood and the top of the engine was on fire. taco bell employees called 911 and then provided a fire extinguisher. the fire was put out by the extinguisher and they cancelled the 911 call. i called a tow company and had the car towed home due to the hour and my engine being melted. *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
05/24/200647000107/01/1999
 Dt*: the contact stated there was an odor coming from the vehicle. upon inspection the dealer and independent repair shop determined the vehicle was leaking anti-freeze. the plastic intake manifold gasket was cracked due to heat from the engine and needs replaced with a metal gasket. while driving 40 mph, after the vehicle was inspected the engine stalled. the vehicle was restarted after cooling for an hour. the vehicle was not returned to the dealer or mechanic. updated 06/07/2006. *ak *ts
10/20/2005104/15/1999
 I have just found out that my 3.1 litre also has had the intake manifold gasket go bad. the car only has 57,000 miles. like others here it is going to cost me $450 to get it fixed. gm needs to step up and create a recall or at least pay to have a new gasket installed. it is my belief that it all stems from dexcool. i have known several people that have had or are having the same problem. *jb
11/01/200477925112/01/1999
 There is a fluid called dex/cool which is like anti-freeze. however, it eats away at the gasket. consumer has had to have the gasket replaced. *ak the consumer stated that the intake gasket was leaking. loss of radiation fluid at 77000 miles. *tc
01/07/200485000103/08/2001
 Intake manifold coolant leak, happened to my 3.1 engine, and to several of my friends, each with the 3.1 engine. each stated a cost of $ 650.00 for this repair, seems this happens to all the 3.1 liter engines, shouldn't chevrolet own up to this problem? when it happens to a select few thats one thing, when it happens to all of then is it not a design flaw?*ak
01/16/2004750001
 The vehicle overheated and stalled due to the manifold leaking coolant into the engine. the manifold was replaced. *nm mechanic said that the overheating of engine is almost a mile away from a fire. *la
07/21/20031
 Consumer states that intake manifold is cracked. dealer notified.*ak
01/15/2003
 The head gasket and intake manifold fails every 40-50k miles. ph