37 of the
1,451 complaints filed about the Pontiac Montana
are about the suspension —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11287206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR PASSENGER SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND THE TIRE IS SITTING ON THE TIRE-WELL. THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE LOOSE DUE TO RUST AND HAS CAUSED THE SPRING COIL TO POP OUT AND WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND IT WOULD BEGIN TO "FISH TAIL" AROUND 40MPH OR WHEN I WOULD HIT BUMPS, MAKE TURNS OR SWITCH LANES.
NHTSA complaint #10926987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY GEARSHIFT BROKE,FUEL GAGE DON'T WORK,MY CAR BOUNCE UP AND DOWN WHEN DRIVING SLIDING DOORS WON'T CLICK OPEN.WHEN START CAR UP AND PUT IN GEAR DRIVE OR REVEARSE WON'T MOVE JUST RIVE UP.
NHTSA complaint #10809377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE BOUGHT A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6 FROM A DEALER WITHIN 10 DAYS OF HAVING THE VAN THE BALL JOINT FELL COMPLETELY OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING HOME WITH KIDS IN CAR DEALER FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE BUT I HAD TO PAY THE TOWING BILL....I CHANGE ALL 4 TIRES AND NOW MY VAN IS MAKING A SQUEAKING AND CLUNKING SOUND ...I BELIEVE IT IS THE REAR DEF.ALSO NONE OF MY POWER DOORS WORK AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER KEEPS BURNING OUT NOW THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME FIX THE PROBLEM WITH OUT PAYING MORE MONEY PLEASE HELP ME WITH SOME ADVICE IN WHAT TO DO I'VE ONLY HAD VAN FOR 3 MNTHS AND I BOUGHT THE VAN FOR 3500.00 DOLLARS VAN...THANKS SINCERELY A PONTIAC OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10732604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10694122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BALL JOINT SEPARATED, CAUSING THE REAR TO DROP AND PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. THANKFULLY, IT WAS NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BECAUSE SHE WAS PASSING A SCHOOL AND THE BUSES WERE LEAVING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE WE INSPECTED IT. ALTHOUGH THE BALL JOINT WAS A LIFETIME LUBRICATED UNIT, IT WAS WORN AND FAILED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS WORN AND, IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, WAS REPLACED, AS WELL. TOTAL COST WAS $1403.44. WHEN RESEARCHING FOR RECALLS, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS NONE IN THE US, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE ALL BUILT IN THE SAME PLANT!. HERE'S THE LINK FOR THE CANADIAN RECALL: HTTP://WWWAPPS.TC.GC.CA/SAF-SEC-SUR/7/VRDB-BDRV/SEARCH-RECHERCHE/DETAIL.ASPX?LANG=ENG&MK=1890&MD=MONTANA%20SV6&FY=0&TY=9999&FT=&LS=0&SY=0&RN=2006199&CF=SEARCHRESULT&PG=0.
NHTSA complaint #10568771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CREAK,POP,CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE DURING SLOW PARKING LOT MANEUVERS, AND IS MOSTLY EVIDENT IN A COMPLETELY STOPPED CONDITION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. I SPEND MONEY TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIT, AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10485795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL SHAKE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR END FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #10411953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MID MAY 2011...I PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA FROM AN OLDER WOMAN (70-80'S). SHE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND SHE LIVED NEAR TUSCON, ARIZONA. THE VEHICLE WAS/IS IN GREAT CONDITION (NO RUST, ETC.) FOR BEING 10 YEARS OLD...AND HAD ONLY 44,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN...I PUT ON MAYBE 1500 MILES. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH...I HAD A FEW ISSUES...ONE BEING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ON THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 AS I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY...I NOTICED A WEIRD FEELING WITH THE VAN...ALMOST A SQUISHY FEEL. I THOUGHT I MAYBE HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CHECKED AND IT LOOKED FINE. MY MOM PICKED UP MY 14 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER LATER THAT DAY WITH MY VAN...AND AS SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP SIGN...SHE SAID THAT IT FELT AS THOUGH THE BACK END OF THE VAN SLID OUT FROM UNDER HER. SHE PULLED OVER AS SHE THOUGHT MAYBE SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THAT LOOKED FINE. THEN SHE GOT OUT AGAIN AND RECHECKED THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES. THOSE WERE TIGHT. THEN SHE THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS SHE HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. AS SHE TURNED THE VAN AROUND TO CHECK THE INTERSECTION SHE JUST CAME THROUGH...THE VAN WOBBLED HORRIBLY. UPON INSPECTION...THE TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN CLEAN IN HALF. YOU COULD MOVE THE TIRE COMPLETELY AROUND SO IT COULD TOUCH THE ALL PARTS OF THE WHEEL WELL. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO A FEW MECHANICS...AND ALL CANNOT FIGURE WHY OR HOW THAT HAPPENED. ALL OF THEM HAVE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THIS TRAILING ARM SEEMS TO BE PRETTY THIN METAL WHEN YOU CONSIDER IT'S HOLDING YOUR TIRE ON! AND...THE WAY IT BROKE...IT'S ALMOST AS IF THERE WAS A FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SINCE THEN...WE HAVE HAD IT WELDED. BUT...I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE VEHICLE MUCH. I'M EXTREMELY HESITANT WITH MY NOW 15 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VAN. I'M SO GRATEFUL THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY! IT COULD HAVE BEEN A ROLLOVER. WE ARE TRYING TO DISCUSS THIS WITH GM TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO.
NHTSA complaint #10411978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND AND A SCREECHING NOISE CAUSING THE VEHICLE FISH TAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS LEANING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE RIGHT REAR BALL JOINTS WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIRE. HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE WHERE THE BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA complaint #10361019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP MY MESSAGE CENTER LIT UP WITH "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM," THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "TRAC LIGHT" CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE APPROX. 500.00 TO REPLACE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SENSOR IN IT IS BAD. I FIGURED THIS WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND DO THAT WAS A MECHANIC AS IT WAS ALOT CHEAPER. WE DID JUST THAT. WE WENT TO O'REILLYS AND BOUGHT A NEW HUB ASSEMBLY WITH THE SENSOR IN IT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR FRIEND WHO REPLACED IT. LATER THE VERY SAME DAY IT ALL CAME ON AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #10229398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6 AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING, BAD SENSOR AND BROKE CABLE WAS REPLACED. *CW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE FAILED, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND MISFIRING. A BAD PLUG AND THE STABILIZING BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS CRACKED WHICH WAS CAUSING A LOUD KNOCKING AND THUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD THE SEATS REPLACED WITH AN AFTER MARKET LEATHER KIT BECAUSE STAINS HAD FORMED ON THE SEATS DUE TO MOISTURE. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE THE AFTER MARKET KIT COULD CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10226153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. ON AUGUST 19TH, 2005 I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, THERE WERE 29,852 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE PONTIAC GARAGE IN ALTOONA PA SINE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2006 I HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, THERE WERE 39,007 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE MONRO GARAGE ALSO IN ALTOONA AND PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. ON APRIL 1ST, 2008 I HAD TO HAVE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MILEAGE WAS 78,054. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DON'T GET MY REPAIRS DONE AT A GM GARAGE THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CASE NUMBER THEY ASSIGNED IS #71-618077441. I TALKED TO TWO INDIVIDUALS: PENNY MERCER 866-790-5600 EXT 12750 I THEN SPOKE TO SHERRY HICKEY WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS THE MANAGER. WHEEL BEARINGS IN TODAY'S VEHICLES NORMALLY HAVE A VERY LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY. TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM TWICE IN LESS THAN 80,000 MILES SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AT THE VERY LEAST WITH THIS VEHICLE POSSIBLY NATIONALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10223805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN, 9,000 MILES, REAR STABILIZER SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NO ENCOUNTERED WITH ROAD DEBRIS, POT HOLES OR OTHER OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. A LOUD NOISED WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND SHE FELT THE REAR END WOBBLE. SHE PULLED THE VAN TO A STOP. THE REAR WHEEL AND "AXLE" BECAME "FREE FLOATING AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME" CAUSING THE TIRE TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE STABILIZER TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT WHILE MOVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, AND NOT AT A HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DEALER WHO IS CONDUCTING THE WARRANTY WORK STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD REPORT IT TO GM AND ALSO NOTED THAT NO OTHER AREA UNDER THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGE, INDICATING THAT IT APPEARED TO BE STRICTLY A FAILED STRUCTURE. THE "STABILIZER HAD APPARENTLY JUST SNAPPED", HE STATED. THE VAN HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND WAS PURCHASE NEW FROM A CERTIFIED GM DEALER. THE WHOLE REAR END, AXLE, BRAKE LINES, STABILIZER AND OTHER RELATED PARTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10205578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN, 9,000 MILES, REAR STABILIZER SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NO ENCOUNTERED WITH ROAD DEBRIS, POT HOLES OR OTHER OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. A LOUD NOISED WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND SHE FELT THE REAR END WOBBLE. SHE PULLED THE VAN TO A STOP. THE REAR WHEEL AND "AXLE" BECAME "FREE FLOATING AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME" CAUSING THE TIRE TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE STABILIZER TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT WHILE MOVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, AND NOT AT A HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DEALER WHO IS CONDUCTING THE WARRANTY WORK STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD REPORT IT TO GM AND ALSO NOTED THAT NO OTHER AREA UNDER THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGE, INDICATING THAT IT APPEARED TO BE STRICTLY A FAILED STRUCTURE. THE "STABILIZER HAD APPARENTLY JUST SNAPPED", HE STATED. THE VAN HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND WAS PURCHASE NEW FROM A CERTIFIED GM DEALER. THE WHOLE REAR END, AXLE, BRAKE LINES, STABILIZER AND OTHER RELATED PARTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10205578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR LEFT SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ELECTRIC STARTER MOTOR STAYED ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED 4 TIMES TO MAKE THE STARTER RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.*AK THE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE DOOR CHIME WOULD REMAIN ON. THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. UPDATED 01/17/07.
NHTSA complaint #10175476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN WAS THE AUTOMATIC DOOR. IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY DEVICE TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM COMING OPEN WHEN IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO OPEN. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, IF SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE INSIDE HANDLE IT WILL NOT STOP UNLESS SHE MANUALLY TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10143089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF DIP OR POT HOLE IN THE ROAD VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT LOADED THE INCIDENT OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10089766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.