300 of the
1,451 complaints filed about the Pontiac Montana
are about the engine —
21% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!
NHTSA complaint #11517939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS FOR YEARS. ONE DAY I STARTED IT UP AND WAS SMOKING HEAVILY. NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. NO LOOSE OR BARE WIRES, NOTHING UNORDINARY GOING ON UNDER THE HOOD THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NO SIGNS OF OPERATOR ERROR SO FORTH.
NHTSA complaint #11320485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN IT'S COLD AND YOU START THE VEHICLE I GET A MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. SOM ETIMES WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT IS WARMED UP IT WILL DO THIS AND YOU HAVE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IF YOU TRY TO GIVE IT GAS IT WON'T GO ANYWAYS. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND CARS ARE RIGHT ON YOUR ASS. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE BUT I WAS ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11306546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, OR AFTER AWHILE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL COME UP AND READ REDUCED ENGINE POWER THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE IT WILL NOT LET YOU ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT, IT WILL BE FINE AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN RESTART. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE ON A SIDE STREET OR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT JUST RANDOMLY DOES THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11175704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP FAILURE LIGHT AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL CAP SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10733212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VAN WHEN IN PARK WILL REVIVE THE ENGINE AND JUMP, WHEN STOPPING WITH NEW BRAKES AND ALL THAT FUN STUFF WHEN THE VAN IS DOING THIS REVIVING STATE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP AND LIKE THE VAN IS FIGHTING IT. IT SOMETIMES OVER SHIFTS WHEN IN THIS STATE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A LIGHT (DOES THE REVIVING THING WHEN MOVING. I AM AFRAID ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO JUMP AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOME ONE OR NOT STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10705974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE THERMOSTAT ON THE DASH JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND POP THE HOOD YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS COOL TO THE TOUCH. CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS AND THERE IS NO LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10681048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I DID NOT REALIZE EVERY OWNER OF A PONTIAC MONTANA ALL HAD SAME PROBLEMS. EVERY OWNER. HERE IS ONE OF THE WEBSITES. HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/COMMENT/3340529. THE DEALER SOLD ME A PONTIAC MONTANA. THE SECOND DAY I DROVE IT, I RAN OUT THE GAS BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE READ FULL, BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS EMPTY. I DID NOT REALIZE THE GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING UNTIL EVERY OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY OWNER HAD A CONDENSER PROBLEM. EVERY OWNER. WHICH IN TURN MAKES THE HEAD GASKET GO. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT NUMEROUS CALLS TO GMC WERE MADE AND NO RECALLS HAS BEEN DONE. IT IS SHAMELESS, HOW PEOPLE LIKE ME ARE STRUGGLING AND THESE CAR DEALERS MADE BILLIONS WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT. IF YOU GOOGLE PONTIAC COMPLAINTS. EVERY OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY OWNER. I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE A MOTOR BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR LOAN. ISN'T THEIR A LAW THAT CAN HELP VICTIMS LIKE US. IT SHOULD BE SHAMEFUL HOW GMC HAS SOLD PONTIAC VEHICLES WITH SO MANY FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I NEED HELP. IF EVERY SINGLE OWNER HAD THE SAME CONDENSER, SAME, HEATING PROBLEM, SAME GAS GAUGE, SAME BLOWN HEAD GASKET AS A RESULT. PONTIAC GMC SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY.
NHTSA complaint #10676192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A ADDON FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE I SUBMITTED JUST NOW. I WANT TO POINT OUT. I WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE READ INCORRECTLY. WHEN THE ENGINE BECOME HOT, IT ALMOST STARTED A FIRE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH A TEN YEAR OLD. DEALERS ARE STILL SELLING THESE PONTIAC MONTANA'S. WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY DEATHS IT MAY HAVE ALREADY CAUSED. OR HOW MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE STRANDED, BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY, IT WILL SAY ITS FULL BUT IT IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE CONDENSERS GO, WHICH CAUSE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR, AND I ALREADY PUT OUT CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS ALREADY. THE FIRST MONTH I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER. EVERY OWNER HAS HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. EVERY OWNER. HERE IS ONE OF THE WEBSITES I DID NOT REALIZE EVERY OWNER OF A PONTIAC MONTANA ALL HAD SAME PROBLEMS. EVERY OWNER. HERE IS ONE OF THE WEBSITES. HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/COMMENT/3340529. YOU CAN GOOGLE PONTIAC MONTANA COMPLAINTS AND THEIR ARE HUNDREDS OF WEBSITE COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. BUT GMC REFUSED TO RECALL SINCE THE COMPLAINTS FIRST STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10676193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER HEADING HOME FROM TAKING MY SON TO THE ER, MY TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO RISE FAST TO THE RED LINES WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT MY ENGINE OFF. I GOT OUT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER NEATH. COOLANT WAS POURING ALL OVER THE GROUND UNDER THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T DRIVE SO I HAD TO CALL THE HUSBAND TO PICK US UP AND A TOW TRUCK. TOOK THE VAN TO TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES AND THEY BOTH SAID THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. I HAVE FOUND THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MANY HAVE COMPLAINED BUT YET NOT ONE RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EVEN SEEN THIS ISSUE IN THE SERVICE NOTE DUE TO PLASTIC PARTS. GARAGES ARE ASKING 15 HUNDRED FOR REPAIR!!!
NHTSA complaint #10669519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE CAR WOULD START MISSING, LIKE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF THE AND I WOULD HAVE TO SIT THERE FOR 1 TO 2 HRS AND THEN IT WOULD START AND RUN FOR A WHILE AND SHUT OFF AGAIN, THE LAST 2 TIMES THIS HAPPEN I HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP AND TAKE IT TO MY HOME WHERE IT HAS SAT EVER SEANCE 2008.
NHTSA complaint #10614941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES DUE TO THE WIRES BEING CUT AND GLUED BACK TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON EIGHT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA complaint #10611199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE BY USING THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB REMOTE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS AND BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANIPULATED THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK SIX TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER DRIVER IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 108,000. UPDATED 8/15/14*CN UPDATED 08/26/2014
NHTSA complaint #10604827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE WITHOUT IT OCCURRING IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER SIX PREVIOUS FAILED DIAGNOSTICS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/03/14 MA
NHTSA complaint #10585316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF WHILE STARTING TO TURN A CORNER. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, BUT THE CAR JUST ROLLED ON. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED KEY IT STARTED AND THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHEN CONTACTED, SAID, JUST RESTART THE CAR! DOES THIS RELATE TO GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10568022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOUGHT THIS 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH 132000 MILES A WEEK BEFORE. GOING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM WORK, EARLY EVENING, 14 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I LOOK DOWN AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT UP AND THE RED TEMP GAUGE COMES ON. I PULL OVER. BUBBLING FLUIDS IS ALL I HEAR. FIRST WE STARTED OFF WITH NO HEAT A FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT. WE HAD THE HEATER CORE FLUSHED OUT AND THAT SEEMED TO WORK. CHANGED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. O2 SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED (1+3). FUEL PUMP IS RUSTED. AND THE HYDROPONIC LIFTERS ARE LOUD. LIKE THE STYLE BUT HAVING PROBLEMS. NOTICED A FEW STEERING ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10566652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS LOOM THAT RUNS ACROSS THE TRANSMISSION AND UNDER THE AIR BOX, WAS RUBBING THE TRANSMISSION AND WORE THRU 4 OF THE WIRES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10509447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.