2004 Pontiac Montana problems

ENGINE

INTAKE GASKET GOES BAD. WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA complaint #11088328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

PUTTING GAS IN TANK AND IT JUST STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. THIS HAPPEN AT A GAS STATION AND I WORRIED ABOUT AN EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #10937735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A NOISE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STRONG ODOR WAS PREVALENT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,613. UPDATED 09/27/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10887567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET ON MY 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA EVERY YEAR AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE GASKET REPLACED I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE I HAVE REPLACED IT 2 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10668148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DELAY WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, TAKE TOO LONG TO POP UP AND THAN WIPE, DESIGN SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED, THE COUPLE OF SECONDS IT TAKES FOR THE WIPERS TO MOVE FROM OFF POSITION TO WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON IS LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON A DAY AFTER IT RAINS WHERE YOU ARE PASSED BY A VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, CANNOT SEE, AND COULD POSSIBLY INJURE SOMEBODY. CONSTANTLY LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SLIPPAGE GOT IT BACK AND STARTED TO DO SO AGAIN THE FIRST 200 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10587356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

DELAY WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, TAKE TOO LONG TO POP UP AND THAN WIPE, DESIGN SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED, THE COUPLE OF SECONDS IT TAKES FOR THE WIPERS TO MOVE FROM OFF POSITION TO WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON IS LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON A DAY AFTER IT RAINS WHERE YOU ARE PASSED BY A VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, CANNOT SEE, AND COULD POSSIBLY INJURE SOMEBODY. CONSTANTLY LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SLIPPAGE GOT IT BACK AND STARTED TO DO SO AGAIN THE FIRST 200 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10587356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DELAY WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, TAKE TOO LONG TO POP UP AND THAN WIPE, DESIGN SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED, THE COUPLE OF SECONDS IT TAKES FOR THE WIPERS TO MOVE FROM OFF POSITION TO WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON IS LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON A DAY AFTER IT RAINS WHERE YOU ARE PASSED BY A VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, CANNOT SEE, AND COULD POSSIBLY INJURE SOMEBODY. CONSTANTLY LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SLIPPAGE GOT IT BACK AND STARTED TO DO SO AGAIN THE FIRST 200 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10587356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL INDICATED ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ARIZONA WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATE 10/10/12

NHTSA complaint #10477055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REPEATED DRIVING WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR ANTENNA CAUSES SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE INDICATORS TO TURN ON FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE "BATTERY" AND "AIRBAG" INDICATORS TURN ON AND CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LAMP INDICATIONS ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY BE DOING DAMAGE TO THE COMPUTER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FUTURE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10429240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

REPEATED DRIVING WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR ANTENNA CAUSES SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE INDICATORS TO TURN ON FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE "BATTERY" AND "AIRBAG" INDICATORS TURN ON AND CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LAMP INDICATIONS ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY BE DOING DAMAGE TO THE COMPUTER WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FUTURE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10429240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALL BECAME ERRATIC. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS THAT RUN THE GAUGES. YOU CAN REPLACE THEM FOR $30.00 ALL YOU NEED IS A SOLDERING IRON AND ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND YOU WILL HAVE A WORKING DASH. HERE IS A LITTLE INFO ON THE STEPPER MOTORS. HTTP://WWW.GM-TRUCKS.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?SHOWTOPIC=95547 UPDATED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STEPPER MOTOR PART # IS X25 168 YOU CAN BUY THEM ON EBAY FOR 6 BUCKS A PIECE.

NHTSA complaint #10375320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OTHER THAN THE ODOR OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK DUE TO THE NECK OF THE TANK BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 278,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDTATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 02/23/11

NHTSA complaint #10374762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I PURCHASED A USES 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA ON 1/23/05 AND ON 9/21/05 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY DOWNHILL STREET THE REAR AXEL BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CAR. PIECES FELL OFF THE CAR AND JUST MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MI. PER HR. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND DRY. THE CAR STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIE ROD HOLDING THE REAR AXEL LOOKED RUSTED AND IT CRACKED. THE ROD HOLDING THE REAR AXEL IS VERY THIN METAL AND HAS DESIGNED HOLES IN IT. JUST DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHAT SHOULD BE HOLDING A WHOLE REAR AXEL. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS REPLACED AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR. LUCKILY I DON'T LIVE WHERE SALTED ROADS ARE NECESSARY. THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE RE: 1998-2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL CORROSION ALERTED ME TO A CORROSION PROBLEM MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I DID SEND AN EMAIL TO THE NTSB AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10373131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

I PURCHASED A USES 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA ON 1/23/05 AND ON 9/21/05 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY DOWNHILL STREET THE REAR AXEL BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CAR. PIECES FELL OFF THE CAR AND JUST MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MI. PER HR. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND DRY. THE CAR STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIE ROD HOLDING THE REAR AXEL LOOKED RUSTED AND IT CRACKED. THE ROD HOLDING THE REAR AXEL IS VERY THIN METAL AND HAS DESIGNED HOLES IN IT. JUST DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHAT SHOULD BE HOLDING A WHOLE REAR AXEL. THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS REPLACED AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR. LUCKILY I DON'T LIVE WHERE SALTED ROADS ARE NECESSARY. THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE RE: 1998-2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL CORROSION ALERTED ME TO A CORROSION PROBLEM MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I DID SEND AN EMAIL TO THE NTSB AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10373131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. ONCE IN A WHILE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, EITHER WITH ENGINE OFF OR RUNNING. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE ARE NORMAL. SITUATION 1: GET IN THE VAN, PUT KEY IN IGNITION, TURN KEY TO RUN POSITION (NOT START POSITION). DO NOT PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. TRY TO PUT THE VAN IN GEAR (FROM PARK TO REVERSE - R). SOMETIMES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUT THE VAN INTO ANY GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. SITUATION 2: SAME AS ABOVE EXCEPT THAT ENGINE IS STARTED NORMALLY USING THE IGNITION KEY. ONCE THE VAN IS RUNNING, TRY TO PUT THE VAN IN GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SOMETIMES, THE VAN WILL GO INTO GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RANDOMLY OCCURRING PROBLEM. I CANNOT FIND A PATTERN OF WHEN THIS HAPPENS VERSUS WHEN IT OPERATES PROPERLY (THAT IS, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE APPLIED). I HAVE BEEN TESTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND DON'T WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE VAN IN GEAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT BY NEVER LEAVING THE KEYS WHERE THE KIDS COULD GET TO THEM AND ALSO APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE SO THAT THE VAN WON'T MOVE IN CASE THE KIDS EVER DID TRY TO "DRIVE" THE VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10348141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THIS IS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. NO SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH THE VAN UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. AT THAT POINT, VAN WAS DRIVEN ON AN EXTENDED TRIP OF ABOUT 200 MILES. DURING THE DRIVE, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALL BECAME ERRATIC. THE FIRST SYMPTOM NOTICED WAS THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS SLOWLY INCREASING, EVEN THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AND THE VAN WAS NOT ACTUALLY SPEEDING UP. EACH TIME THE CRUISE WAS DISENGAGED TO SLOW DOWN, THE SPEEDOMETER READING WOULD NOT DECREASE. INSTEAD, IT WOULD REMAIN AT THE HIGHER SPEED. THEN, WHEN SPEEDING UP AND REENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD INCREASE. EVENTUALLY BY THE END OF THE TRIP, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS OFF THE SCALE. EVEN WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT ITS MAXIMUM POSITION. (THE OTHER GAUGES BEHAVED SIMILARLY, INCREASING TO MAXIMUM VALUES WHILE DRIVING.) WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE REAL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE COULD DRIVE AT UNSAFE SPEEDS AND/OR RECEIVE SPEEDING TICKETS BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING. WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT CYCLING THE IGNITION SWITCH MANY TIMES WILL EVENTUALLY RESET THE GAUGES. HOWEVER, ON LONGER DRIVES, THE PROBLEM RECURS QUITE CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER AND GM REPRESENTATIVES HAVE CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR OTHER GM MAKES AND MODELS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AND GM AGREED TO REPLACE THOSE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. HOWEVER, THE PONTIAC MONTANA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10344856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 6, 2010, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 70 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER THEN CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND REQUESTED THAT AN INSPECTOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION AT THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10324495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2004 PONTIAC MONTANA-- SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. SMELLED GAS IN OUR GARAGE DAILY. WERE TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT FUEL NECK HAD A FRACTURE AND THAT WAS CAUSING FUEL LEAK. RESEARCHED NHTSA SITE AND FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED. THE DEALER SAID OUR PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT THE ONES NOT COVERED WERE UNDER WARRANTY WITH REGULAR WHEELBASE BUT OUR VEHICLE IS AN EXTENDED WHEELBASE. WE ARE IN PROCESS OF REPAIRING BUT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF OUR MINIVAN THEN WHY AREN'T ALL OF THEM INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10295081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

REAR TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO DISCERNABLE TREND OR EVENT WHICH CAUSES THEM TO FAIL. BULBS ARE COMPLETELY INTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10213558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN WITH A PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR. MY GRANDSON PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON WHILE I WAS IN THE DOORWAY AND THE DOOR SQUASHED ME PRETTY HARD, NO BRUISES OR INJURIES THOUGH. IT CONCERNED ME BECAUSE I HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN. I PLAYED WITH THE DOOR TO SEE HOW MUCH FORCE IT TAKES TO STOP IT WITH MY HAND. I HAD TO PUSH HARD AND IT PUSHED ME BACKWARDS A WAYS BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE DOOR, WHICH DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY AFTER READING THE MANUAL THAT SAID IT TAKES MORE FORCE TO STOP IT THE MORE CLOSED THE DOOR IS, I PLAYED WITH IT SOME MORE BUT THIS TIME I COULDN'T REVERSE THE DOOR AT ALL WITH MY HAND PUSHING AGAINST IT WITH ALL MY WEIGHT, STARTING WHEN THE DOOR WAS FULLY OPEN. I THEN STUCK A PENCIL IN THE OPENING, WHICH THE DAY BEFORE WAS ABLE TO REVERSE THE DOOR THOUGH IT DID PUT A GOOD DENT IN THE WOOD. THIS TIME IT SNAPPED THE PENCIL IN TWO AND HALF WAS COMPLETELY SHUT INTO THE DOOR. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT THIS WOULD DO TO MY LITTLE 18 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTHER'S FINGERS. THE SERVICE CENTER WAS VERY NICE BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY, THIS IS HOW THIS DOOR WORKS. THE SERVICE CENTER TRIED OTHER DOORS OF THE SAME MODEL AS MINE AND THEY ALL WORKED LIKE MINE. I EXPERIMENTED WITH A FRIEND'S HONDA ODYSSEY POWER DOOR AND IT STOPPED MUCH EASIER. THIS IS NOT SAFE! I DISABLED THE DOOR WITH THE OVERHEAD BUTTON FOR THE SAKE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN SO BASICALLY I PAID FOR A FEATURE THAT I DON'T DARE USE.

NHTSA complaint #10190826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA, AND STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FRAYED WHERE THE BUCKLES WERE. CONTACT STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAS TRIED TO CUT THE SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51000.

NHTSA complaint #10184975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT IF YOU DRIVE IN THE SNOW THE SNOW CAN GET INTO THE ABS WHEEL SENSOR AND DISABLE THE ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10182748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.