72 of the 1,451 complaints filed about the Pontiac Montana are about the lighting — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.
72
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
KEEP SAYING SERVICE PARKING LITE CHANGE LIGHT BULB CHECK FUSES CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10735618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE TO KEPT CHANGING THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING OUT EVER FEW WEEKS. WE EVEN WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW STOP SIGNAL SWITCH BUT THAT WASN'T IT. WE WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE WIRING AND WHY THEY KEEP GOING OUT. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE WE BOUGHT IN JUNE 2014. WE ARE JUST TIRED OF KEEP POURING MONEY INTO IT BUT I DON'T WANT AN ACCIDENT OR TO GET PULL OVER EITHER. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT NEVER HAS AN ISSUE IS THE BRAKE BAR ON TOP.
NHTSA complaint #10679563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKES LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA HAVE BEEN GOING OUT PERIODICALLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. AFTER REPLACING LIGHT HOUSING, BULBS AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT. AT ONE POINT WE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE MOISTURE BUILD UP, SO AFTER MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE HOUSING AGAIN, HE DRILLS HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TO HELP DRAIN MOISTURE. THAT HAS SEEMED TO HELP IN ONE OF THE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE CONTINUE TO GO OUT ABOUT A DAY AFTER EVERY REPLACEMENT. MOST OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING HAS GONE OUT AS WELL AND THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10619349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. CHECKED BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND FOUND THAT PLASTIC LAMP BASES WERE MELTED SO THE TERMINALS NO LONGER MADE CONTACT IN THE SOCKETS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. *TR..UPDATED 10/30/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT BURNS OUT EVERY 4-6 WEEKS. UPDATED 10/31/2013
NHTSA complaint #10509983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE CIRCUIT BOARD WIRING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10507067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY COMMON FOR GM VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL YEAR RANGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING BANK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE BANK WHICH CONTAINS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE BACK-UP LIGHTS, AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS FAILS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO BE MOST AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHTS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NEAR-COLLISIONS DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10498563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOISTURE WAS ACCUMULATING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS WITH A NEWER MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10396666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRE MOUNTING IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND I PUSH ON THE BREAK THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIMLY LIGHT ON THE DASH, THEN WHEN I HAVE MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT BLINKS FAST, ALSO WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ON THE RIGHT ONE LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. I FEEL THAT THIS IS HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY YOUR COMPANY. WHEN YOU BUILT THE VEHICLE YOU USED PLASTIC WIRE MOUNTINGS AND THEY CAN'T WITHSTAND THE HEAT, THIS ALSO SHORTS OUT MY TRACTION CONTROL IN WHICH IT THEN SHUTS OFF. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS HAPPY. THE PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $55.00.
NHTSA complaint #10395811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND REAR LIGHT FAILURE INCLUDING BREAKS AN TURN SIGNALS.
NHTSA complaint #10383023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON. TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS BLINKED REALLY FAST AND THEY LIGHT UP EVERYTIME I PUSH ON THE BREAK. REPLACED BRAKES. PROBLEM CAUSED TAIL LAMP CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT BULBS TO BURN OUT AND MELT CONNECTORS. WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WOULD NOT KNOW WHEN I WAS BREAKING AND COULD POSSIBLY RUN INTO ME. KNOCKING SOUND ON RIGHT WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. REPLACED STABILIZERS AND SENSORS, ROTATED AND BALANCED WHEELS. SCARED THAT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE TRACTION TO TURN OFF AND THE VEHICLE SLIDES WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. IT ALSO NEEDS NEW SHOCKS; THEY ARE LEAKING. VEHICLE IS RUNNING HOT AND IS EATING UP THE COOLANT. HAVE ALREADY PUT 2 GALLONS IN THE VEHICLE SINCE SEPT. WATER PUMP IS LEAKING. PASSENGER WINDOW KEEPS GETTING STUCK. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING ARE DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IF YOU GOOGLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, YOU WILL FIND THAT THE COMPLAINTS ARE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES THAT I HAVE STATED. I AM LOW INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY TO HYPOTHESIZE WHAT IS THE CAUSE. I NEED GM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CAN'T GET OUT OF MY CONTRACT AND THIS VEHICLE IS A ROAD HAZARD. I NOTICED THE ISSUE WITH THE DOOR THE SAME THAT I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON THE INSPECTION REPORT. STILL DISPUTING ISSUE WITH THEM. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL IN APRIL AND HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY TAKING IT BACK EVERY SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10362974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, THEN THE TAIL LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT ON THE 99 PONTIAC MONTANA. THEY WERE JUST WORKING AND THEN ON MY WAY HOME THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND THEY STILL AREN'T WORKING. WENT TO SEE A TECHNICIAN AND HE SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AFTER THAT THE RADIO DISPLAY FLICKERS IN AND OUT WHEN THE BRAKE IS PUSHED ON. I'VE SEARCHED TO SEE IF I COULD FIND AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THERE ARE MANY WEBSITES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS I HAVE STATED HERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10345982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ARE OPAQUE AND WATER INSIDE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10342536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS BECAME OPAQUE ALSO WATER GOT INSIDE. HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED ON MY PONTIAC MONTANA VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10341709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE OCT 2005, PURCHASED USED FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A GAS TANK RECALL, HOWEVER WE WERE NOTIFIED NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER WE HAD A RUPTURE THAT DROPPED AN ENTIRE TANK OF FUEL ON THE DRIVEWAY AND WERE TOLD WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE HAVING DRIVEN UNKNOWINGLY WITH THIS LEAK. TANK WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED AUTO WARRANTY. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT AND IS REPLACED, THEN DRIVER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. WATER LEAKS INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WHEN IT RAINS. THE TAIL PLUG IN FOR TAIL LIGHT BULB HAD GOTTEN SO HOT IT HAD MELTED THE PLUG IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. RANDOM ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS OCCURRING. DASH PANEL BURNED OUT, RADIO DISPLAY BLED OUT AND RADIO THEN FAILED - WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER BUTTON WAS PUSHED AND HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE DASHBOARD IN ORDER TO AVOID DRAINING BATTERY COMPLETELY. TRACTION TIRE FAILURE WHEN ENGAGED OCCURRED IN COMBINATION WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, AND ON ONE OCCASION COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. NO WARNING, NO SQUEALING, NO GRINDING, NO PULLING TO THE SIDE: JUST COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT THAT INJURED 3 PEOPLE. NON DEALERSHIP MECHANIC CHECKED THE BRAKES AND DETERMINED BRAKE FLUID LEAK/MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FAILURE, STATED REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR BRAKE SYSTEM MOST LIKELY RESULTED IN LEAK. MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BRAKE HAD SEIZED AND SCOURED THE ROUTER AND PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED TWO YEARS PRIOR AND CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN BUT FOR ONCE A MONTH SHORT TRIPS TO THE DOCTOR FOR ONE OF THOSE YEARS, THE SECOND YEAR IT WAS DRIVEN ONLY 3 OR 4 TIMES AND WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. AUTO ACCIDENT IN MAY 2010 DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE DID NOT HAVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN REAR END COLLISION. CAR WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE IN 2007 AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES IN BOTH ACCIDENTS. CAR IS A DEATH TRAP.
NHTSA complaint #10339878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MOISTURE IN HEADLIGHTS, BACK BULBS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT, BACK WINDOWS OFTEN WILL NOT CLOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10325073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS MELTING IN THE SOCKETS. I REPLACE THEM AND THEY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD UNTIL THEY MELT RESULTING IN THE BULB BURNING OUT AND MELTING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10296690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE BULB SHORTS OUT. THERE HAS BEEN SOME DETERIORATION OF ILLUMINATION ABILITY DUE TO THE WATER, PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10295564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION ON THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE HEADLIGHT LENS EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION WHICH WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEATHER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/21/09
NHTSA complaint #10294047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT LENSES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND BLOW BULBS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10293944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.