Riviera V6-3.8L VIN K (1996)
Intake Manifold: All Technical Service Bulletins
Owner Letter
June, 1996
Dear Pontiac Bonneville Customer:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the vehicle engine control system of certain 1996 Pontiac
Bonneville model vehicles equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine (RPO L36). These vehicles may exhibit, under a certain set of complex conditions, a backfire
during engine starting that can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold. This can cause a no start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
Also, if a person was in the immediate vicinity of the intake manifold when the hood was open, and this backfire occurred, it could result in personal
injury.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To prevent this condition from occurring, your dealer will update the vehicle Powertrain Control Module with new programming software. This service
will be performed at no cost to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Although the likelihood of this condition occurring is very low, we suggest that the vehicle hood be shut whenever starting your vehicle. If possible, start
your vehicle only in an open area.
Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange an appointment.
Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. The labor time necessary to perform this service correction is approximately thirty
(30) minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
Your Pontiac dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however, you
take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date, or within five (5) days, we recommend
you contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling: 1-800-762-2737.
After contacting your dealer and the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this
condition, without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 202-366-0123).
The enclosed Campaign Customer Reply Card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary
inspection/correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid Customer
Reply Card and returning it to us.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our
products.
