27 of the 161 complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Montana are about the engine — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 56,000 miles.
27
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
LOWER/UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 87160 MILES HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 142,500 MILES LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 183170 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10519591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BOUGHT MY CAR USED IN 2006,AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON A FEW YEARS LATER,DEALER WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE I DON'T QUALIFY FOR RECALL,TELLS ME CAR CAME FROM CANADA. DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU CHECK MY VIN IS ALSO REGISTERED IN THE US. MY CAR IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT,ONE REPAIR SHOP IS SURE IT'S THE INTAKE GASKET,BUT I CAN'T GET THIS FIXED EITHER BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL YET I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I SURE WISH I COULD QUALIFY FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING.
NHTSA complaint #10259555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 104,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. PROBABLY DUE TO DEXCOOL BUT UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT BECAUSE FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER CLASS ACTION DEADLINE. THIS IS STILL HAPPENING WITH THESE GM VEHICLES BUT NO RECALL IS BEING ISSUED. IN OUR CASE, HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STRANDING US IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10248321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER INTAKE VALVE GASKET BUT INSTEAD OF ONE TIME OF PAYING 5-700.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT DONE TWICE AND MY VAN ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS PROBLEMS BUT I THINK THAT IF THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10227394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. REPLACEMENT OF GASKET RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIR AT ONLY 52000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10193097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE INTAKE GASKET HAD CORRODED FROM A COOLING LEAK. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND THE ONLY COOLANT THAT THE DEALER IS TELLING HER TO USE IS DEX COOL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF COOLANT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE FAILURES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO USE. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SIGNS OF CORROSION, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND PREVENTS HER FROM KNOWING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HUB IS LOOSE, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND COMPASS HAS FAILED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, SINCE THE CONTACT CHANGED HER OWN OIL, THAT IS THE REASON SHE IS EXPERIENCING SO MANY FAILURES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10192771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE INTAKE GASKET HAD CORRODED FROM A COOLING LEAK. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND THE ONLY COOLANT THAT THE DEALER IS TELLING HER TO USE IS DEX COOL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF COOLANT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE FAILURES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO USE. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SIGNS OF CORROSION, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND PREVENTS HER FROM KNOWING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HUB IS LOOSE, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND COMPASS HAS FAILED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, SINCE THE CONTACT CHANGED HER OWN OIL, THAT IS THE REASON SHE IS EXPERIENCING SO MANY FAILURES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10192771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA TO A MECHANIC AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXTERIOR OF THE ENGINE AND THE OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS WAS DUE TO A FLAW WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 65000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10185034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE VALVE FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COULD HAVE LED TO A FIRE. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT GM HAS REDESIGNED THE INTAKE VALVES THAT ARE REUSED IN THE REPAIR. SEVERAL OTHERS IN THIS AREA HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE, WHICH WAS USED IN THE GRAND AM CARS AS WELL. SEARCHES ON THE WEB ALSO SHOW THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10179157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR OTHER ISSUES AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER; COOLANT WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING AT THE SEAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10173020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKED. PONTIAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AGREED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10169961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, PONTIAC MONTANA 2002, WITH A COST OF 700.00 PLUS. INFORMATION WAS SENT TO ALL G.M DEALERS OF THIS DEFECT,WITH NO RECALL TO REPAIR. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS STARTED IN CANADA FOR THIS DEFECT WITH MANY FAILURES OF THIS GASKET OR MANIFOLD ITSELF. WHAT CAN I DO? THIS HAS NOT FAILED YET BUT WILL, AS IT IS LEAKING NOW. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE ?
NHTSA complaint #10160093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2002 MONTANA GASKET WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*MR TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON THE MINIVAN. HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER SMALLER REPAIRS, WHICH CONSUMER BELIEVE WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER ERROR.
NHTSA complaint #10121578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONTACT STATES: 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTEANCE, OIL CHANGE, ETC. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THEY AGREED TO PAY $200.00 FOR PARTS. CONTACT FELT THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTIRE BILL. LABOR COST WAS $460.10.
NHTSA complaint #10119854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10111854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. INTERNAL LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE OIL. ALSO, THE REAR BEARING REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10106196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING A LOW SPEED ON THREE SEPERATE TIMES. FIRST TIME WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT TURN AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE TO GREEN. THE SAME THING HAPPEND A SECOND TIME AS I PULL INTO A GAS STATION. THIS THIRD TIME HAPPEND AS I WAS LOOKING FOR PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING LOT. IN ALL THREE TIME, THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND AFTER RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER SHIFT TO PARK. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER EACH INCIDENT AS THERE ARE NO FAULT CODE.
NHTSA complaint #10074581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION STARTING BY OVER HEATING LOOK LIKE A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM BUT IS NOT. HEAD GASKET FAIL AND GAS FROM THE CYLINDERS ESCAPE TO THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE CAUSING TO OVER HEAT AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10069671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION STARTING BY OVER HEATING LOOK LIKE A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM BUT IS NOT. HEAD GASKET FAIL AND GAS FROM THE CYLINDERS ESCAPE TO THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE CAUSING TO OVER HEAT AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10069671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. INTERNAL LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10069797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE OUGHT THE VAN AS A PROGRAM WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT,WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK ALL THE TIME MEANING SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT. SAME THING FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THE AIR CONDITION DEVELOPED A SLOE LEAK THAT PROGRESSED WITHIN WEEKS,WE NOW HAVE NO AIR AT ALL AND THE PART ALOE IS GOING TO COST $400.00. IN OCTOBER OF 2003 ON OUR WAY TO A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL,IT HAD NOT BEEN LEAKING OR ACTING UP IN ANY WAY IT MADE A THUD SOUND GOING DOWN THE HIWAY AND THAT WAS IT..NO MORE TRANSMISSION $4,000.00 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10071146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REFILLED WITH COOLANT EVERY WEEK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10058020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ASSISTANCE (TIS REQUEST TIS03-007115 DGD CLOSED).*MR VEHICLE HAD URINE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE COOLANT WENT BAD AND LEAKED INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THEY REMOVED THE A/C, HEAT UNIT, VENT AND DUCTS BUT THE SMELL RETURNED. CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOUR DAYS LATER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM THEY'VE EXPERIENCED IS A NATIONWIDE DEFECT WITH THAT VEHICLE. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10043995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
URINE ODOR COMING IN THROUGH VENTILATION INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT AND PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. WAS TOLD IT THE COOLANT IS GOING BAD AND IS LEAKING INTO THE VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10041125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CAUSING A "URINE" SMELL TO ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. PASSENGERS ARE COUGHING AND HAVE CONSTANT HEADACHES. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10041864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST DIE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10027149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL THEN JUMP INTO GEAR, DEALER WAS CONTACTED, REPLACED TRANSMISSIOM, CONSUMER STATED THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8004023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.