1999 Pontiac Montana

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2003· POWER TRAIN

  VAN SHIFTS HARD AND OFTEN MAKES A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE. DEALER RECOMMENDS ~ $1100 IN REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION, SEVERAL NON-DEALER REPAIR SHOPS RECOMMEND REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION FOR ~ $1400. PROBLEM STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND NOW SEEMS RELATIVELY SEVERE WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NOW ON CONSISTANTLY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY IF THE VAN IS SHUT OFF FOR A SMALL LENGTH OF TIME. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND YET NO RECALL. RED

• 12/30/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD AHEAD WHEN ON LOW BEAM. *AK

• 12/23/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1999 PONTIAC MONTANA EXPERIENCED NO HEATING. GARAGE STATED COOLANT HAD SLUDGE AND WAS FLUSHED AND RECHARGED. AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES TO HOME, COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEAM ROLLED OUT UNDER HOOD. FOUND AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING IN NUMEROUS PLACES. GARAGE SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE. COOLANT CAP STATES COOLANT GOOD FOR 150,000 MILES. ONLY 49,000 MILES ON VAN.

• 12/21/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STUCK IN SNOW DRIFT. FIRE WAS ALL CONSUMING - FIRE TRUCK HAD TO COME OUT IT OUT - JUST SHELL OF VAN WAS LEFT. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT AS FIRE WAS SLOW TO TAKE OFF. FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE CHIEF SAID WE WOULD NEVER KNOW CAUSE AS NO ENGINE COMPARTMENT REMAINS. *TR

• 12/21/2000· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE VAN HAS STALL/HESISTATED IN TRAFFICE WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH. THERE HAVE BEEN 8 VISITS TO TRY AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. SPARK PLUG REPLACED, PISTONS REPLACED, MOTOR REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR A SECOND TIME.

• 12/20/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/09/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN THE AIR FILTER ON THESE VEHICLES ARE CHANGED. THERE IS A CLAMP AND TUBING WHICH MUST BE MOVED TO PERFORM THE CHANGE. IF THE CLAMP IS NOT PLACED BACK EXACTLY CORRECTLY, THE CAR CAN SLINK THE ACCELERATOR CABLE UNDER THE CLAMP, AND CAUSE THE CAR TO

• 11/30/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING A SNAP WAS FELT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY TO 80MPH. DEALER IS INSPECTING AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  EVERY YEAR, A WEEK OR TWO AFTER TURNING ON THE HEAT IN THE VAN, THE HEATER STOPS BLOWING WARM AIR. WHILE SITTING AT IDLE THE TEMP GAUGE RISES EXTREMELY HIGH. EVERY YEAR THE DEALER HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS YEAR THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE! AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, HERE AND AT RESPECTED SITES SUCH AS EDMONDS.COM IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED LONG BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT MY VAN SO MANY YEARS AGO!!!! *TR

• 11/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ANTI SKID SYSTEM MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED ABS FLUID WAS NOT FLOWING INTO MOTOR. *AK

• 11/18/2016· STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  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.

• 11/18/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS CAME OFF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER GOT INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING THE BULBS TO STOP WORKING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *AK

• 11/18/2001· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL 3-HOUR DOWNPOUR. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER AND DRIVE WITH NO FORWARD VISIBILITY UNTIL REACHING A TOWN WITH A GARAGE. THIS WAS ON HIGHWAY 77 IN SOUTH TEXAS, A VERY HEAVILY TRAVELLED ROAD. WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WIPER DRIVE ARM HAD COME OFF THE BALL-SHAPED STUD ON THE DRIVE CRANK. ONE OF THE TWO 5 MM SCREWS HAD COME OUT OF THE CLAMP HOLDING THE DRIVE ARM TO THE DRIVE STUD. THIS IS A SERIOUS WEAKNESS IN THIS VEHICLE AS A MORE SECURE LOCKING METHOD SHOULD BE USED FOR THIS CLAMP (I ADDED LOCKNUTS TO THE SCREWS ON MY CLAMP). THIS ARM MOUNTING UNDERGOES A LOT OF CYCLES WITH FAIRLY HEAVY ALTERNATING LOADING, AND SHOULD BE MUCH MORE POSITIVELY FASTENED THAN IT IS. I SUGGEST THAT THESE VEHICLES BE RECALLED AND A BETTER LOCKING SYSTEM ADDED TO THE WIPER DRIVE ARM. *AK

• 11/15/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA THAT WE PURCHASED NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN SOUTH BEND IN. I NOTICED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE GOING DOWN AND TOOK THE VAN TO A GARAGE. HE SAID THAT PONTIAC SHOULD MAKE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND TALK TO HIM ABOUT REPAIRS. AT FIRST HE SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AROUND $1500.00. I TOLD HIM THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE SAID PROBABLY. A REAL SMART ALECK. I TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS, AT THAT TIME, 30,0000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. HE TALKED TO THE MANAGER AND THEY CAME UP WITH A PRICE AROUND $600.00. I TOLD THEM TO DO IT. THE FINAL PRICE WAS JUST UNDER $400.00. NOW I FIND THAT IT IS LEAKING A LITTLE AGAIN AND THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING, TOO. I HAD A PRIVATE GARAGE CHANGE THE WATER PUMP AND PROBABLY WON'T GET THE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED AT THIS TIME. I ALSO HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING. THAT IS ANOTHER COST ON THIS 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. THE DRIVERS DOOR NEEDS A REPAIR TO SOME OF THE MECHANISM IN THE WINDOW AND IT WILL COST AROUND $500. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS WINDOW PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE REACHED THE POINT OF GETTING RID OF THE VAN AND GOING TO SOMETHING BESIDES A GM PRODUCT. THE VAN HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I SHOULDN'T BE SEEING ALL OF THIS HIGH DOLLAR REPAIRS ON IT. *AK

• 11/15/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER , AND VEHICLE PULLED OUT AND VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, FORCING IT INTO A DITCH HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT WERE INJURIES. *AK

• 11/14/2001· STRUCTURE

  MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01013 FOR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR. THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. CORNFORTH-CAMPBALL PO B0X 537 PUYALLUP WA 98371 206 845 8881 TOLL FREE 1800 573 8881. *AK

• 11/13/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP LEAKING DEXCOOL COOLANT. DEALER REPORTS OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING, AND BOTH VALVE COVERS LEAKING OIL. DON'T KNOW IF THESE OIL LEAKS ARE DUE TO GASKET & SEAL DAMAGE FROM DEXCOOL COOLANT. *LA

• 11/12/2003· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, LATE AT TIMES. RADIO/CD SCREEN IS GARBLED LOOSE SRS CONNECTORS POWER LOCK PROBLEMS SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS *LA

• 11/10/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DID NOT MARK CRASH, HOWEVER COULD NOT STOP IN TIME TO PREVENT HITTING CURB, MY MOTHER HAD BORROWED MY CAR. IF A CAR HAD BEEN PARKED THERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. FAILURE WAS DUE TO BRAKE LINE WAS POSITIONED SO THAT WHEN THE WIPERS WERE RUNNING, THE ARM THAT GOES BACK AND FORTH TO ACTUATE THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER WAS CONTACTING THE LINE IN A SAWING MOTION. THE LINE WAS COVERED WITH A BRAIDED SHIELD OR TUBE OVER THE LINE AND IT WENT THROUGH BOTH THAT AND THE BRAKE LINE. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT UNTIL THE BRAKE FLUID RESEVOIR WAS DOWN TO 1/4 IN. THE BRAKES WENT FROM BEING A LITTLE MUSHY TO NONE AT ALL. HAD I BEEN ON A TRIP ON A RAINY DAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALERS ATTITUDE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THERE COULD EASILY BE HUNDREDS OF CARS OUT THERE THAT ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. IT TOOK THEM 7 WORKING DAYS TO GET A NEW LINE IN AND REPLACE IT. THEY DID NOT EVEN CLEAN OFF THE BRAKE FLUID THAT WAS SPRAYED IN THE ENGINE AREA FROM THE LEAK. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT IF THEY REPORTED THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID THAT SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO IT WHEN THEY FILED THE WARRANTY PAPERWORK THAT NO OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

• 11/08/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  WE HAVE OCCASIONALLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD, WHINING & BANGING INTO GEAR-THIS GOES AWAY IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF & THEN BACK ON . IT OCCURRS AT SLOWER SPEEDS NOT HIGHWAY SPEEDS & SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON SHORT TRIPS OR LONGER TRIPS WITH SEVERAL STOPS. RECENTLY THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK IN THE SYSTEM , WHICH A LOCAL SHOP "REPAIRED" FOR $67 THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER. ALMOST TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AGAIN & WE WERE THEN TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. WE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A WEEK WHEN AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY & STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL & THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING THE CAR & RESTARTING IT -IT STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND & WE HAD IT TOWED IN TO THE NEAREST PONTIAC DEALER. THERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET SHOULDNT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THAT THOSE ENGINES ALMOST NEVER LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET BUT APPARANTLY THEY COMMONLY LEAK FROM THE INTAKE VALVES. IN ADDITION, THEY SAID THAT THE GARAGE THAT DID THE HEAD GASKET DID SOMETHING WRONG WHICH CAUSED A BLOCKAGE IN THE ENGINE & PREVENTED OIL FROM GETTING INTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THEY SAID THERE WERE TWO BOLTS THAT WERE LOOSE & EVENTUALLY FOUND TO BE SHEARED OFF & THAT ONE OF THE OUTER HEADES-NOT THE CYLINDER HEADS - WERE CRACKED. I HAVE NO WAY OF FINDING OUT WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE. I FOUND NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE HEAD GASKETS OR THE INTAKE VALVES. RIF THE ENGINE HAD TO HEADS A ARDIASTIOTNETRSTARTING CCOR. *AK

• 11/06/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING, THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. MR *JG

• 11/05/2003· TIRES

  THE TREADS SEPARATED ON ALL FOUR TIRES WITHIN 200 MILES OF EACH OTHER WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BLOW OUT. THE DATES OF OCCURRENCES: 8/5/2003, 8/9/2003, AND 8/10/2003. *AK *SCC *JB

• 11/05/2002· STRUCTURE

  AFTER THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLES SLIDING DOOR THE PROBLEM REOCURRED, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TS *NLM

• 11/04/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I BELEIVE THAT THIS VAN IS UN-SAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE, WITH THE ENGINE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 024635 TIRESIZE: P21570R15)

• 11/03/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS

  VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT SEAT BACKS. THE PADDING WASN'T PROPERLY DESIGNED WHEN MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, SEAT COVER MATERIAL IS RIPPING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE BOX CONTAINING THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPOSED. ALSO, AT 33,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A LEAK AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE MOTOR. *AK

• 11/02/2004· POWER TRAIN

  1999 PONTIAC MONTANNA MINIVAN. THE TRANSMISSION REPEATEDLY SLAMS / HAMMERS INTO GEAR. RESOLUTION IS TO STOP VAN AND RESTART VEHICLE, MOST TIMES THIS STOPS IT UNTILL IT STARTS ACTING UP AGAIN. THIS CAN HAPPEN 7 TIMES IN A 50 MILE TRIP OR ONLY ONCE. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO DO THIS. THE POWER DOOR IS ALSO A PROBLEM. WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY, HAVE TO CLOSE 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL FINALLY CLOSE.*AK

• 10/31/1999· SEAT BELTS

  ALL OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE FIXED INSTEAD OF FLEXIBLE FEMALE RECEPTORS. BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT RECEPTORS ARE FIXED IN A FORWARD TILTING POSITION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A SECURE FIT FOR A FORWARD FACING TODDLER/BOOSTER SEAT. I HAVE TRIED SEVEN DIFFERENT SEATS AND HAVE FAILED TWO NHTSA SAFETY CHECKS. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM OR PROVIDE ME WITH A SOLUTION. MEANWHILE I HAVE AN 18MTH OLD TODDLER AND AN INFANT DUE IN DEC. THAT I CAN NOT SAFELY PUT IN MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY THE SEAT BELT RECEPTOR POSITIONING,AS I HAVE TRIED MANY DIFFRENT BRAND AND MODELS WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MUST BE PLACES SO FAR FORWARD IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE THE FORWARD TILTING SEAT BELT RECEPTOR THAT THE CAR SEAT SWIVELS SIDE TO SIDE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE CHILD'S SAFETY IS COMPROMISED.

• 10/29/2002· POWER TRAIN

  COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE REPLACEMENT COST $2600. THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE, WHICH TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COOLANT, DESTROYING ENGINE GASKETS AND REQUIRING $1700 IN ENGINE REPAIRS. THAT'S $4300 IN ONE MONTH, ON A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE. NOTE THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY NO RECALL? DT

• 10/29/1999· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 10/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS, WHICH TOTALED $1,800. ONE WEEK AFTER A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE REPAIR, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MAILED A COMPLAINT TO THE COMPANY AND HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

• 10/21/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS WERE IN OPERATIVE. THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

• 10/20/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH ONLY 43000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR A FUEL PUMP TO FAIL WITH SUCH FEW MILES.REPAIR BILL FOR PROBLEM WAS $705. THE REASON I OWN NEWER VEHICLES IS SO I DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND TIME AND MONEY AT A REPAIR SHOP. WITH MY CAR PAYMENT AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR I WILL HAVE SPENT $1055 IN ONE MONTH TO KEEP UP A 1999 VEHICLE, WHICH IS REDICULOUS.

• 10/16/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. TWICE SERVICED IN THE PAST YEAR. PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. *AK

• 10/13/1999· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING CAR SOMETIMES JERKS AND WILL CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *AK

• 10/03/2003· SEATS

  THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE SEAT FRAME ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAD A PROTRUDING EDGE MADE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT ABOUT 7 INCHES AND IS VERY SHARP. THE METAL HAS TORE THROUGH THE MATERIAL OF THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE DEADLY IN A SIDE COLLISION. *NLM

• 09/27/2000· POWER TRAIN

  TRAANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD IN ALL GEARS, INTERMITENTLY AFTER DRIVING AROUND TOWN AT SLOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS. *AK

• 09/27/2000· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 09/27/1998· SUSPENSION

  POOR DRIVING PERFORMANCE: LEANS ON TURNS, TAKES BUMPS HARD, AND FEELS LIKE THE CHOKE BOTTOMS OUT. THESE PROBLEMS DID NOT EXIST AT TIME OF PURCHASE.

• 09/24/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY 1999 MONTANA STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE RAPIDLY. TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS STATED IT WAS A WORN GASKET IN THE LOWER INTAKE. REPAIRS CAME TO $604. KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY VEHICLES WITH THE 3.4 ENGINE. I NOTICED THE LEAK AT 72,000 MILES BUT HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST 2.5 YEARS.*AK

• 09/24/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND RADIATOR SLUDE ON 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA AS A RESULT OF DEX-COOL COOLANT

• 09/24/2002· STRUCTURE

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LOWER CRADLE COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER FORMATION. NLM

• 09/19/2000· TIRES

  SIDEWALL OF TIRE "MELTED" AT HIGHWAY SPEED DURING HOT TEMPERATURE. GENERAL TIRE REPLACED TIRE WITH NEW MODEL OF XP2000GT. I STILL HAVE 3 OF THE OLD TIRES ON MY MINIVAN, AND AM LEARY OF THIER RELIABILITY. OLD TIRE TPC SPEC 1135MS. NEW TIRE TPC SEC 1144MS. I URGE GM TO CHOOSE A SAFER TIRE TO INSTALL AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, BUT THERE WAS A DEFINATE CHANCE OF A MAJOR ACCENDENT OR LOSS OF LIFE HAPPENING DUE TO THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE DID NOT "BLOW OUT" THE ACTUAL SIDEWALL RUBBER APPEARED TO SHEAR OFF AND THE RUBBER CHANGED COMPOSITION TO RESEMBLE THAT OF "BUBBLE GUM". THE MELTED RUBBER COATED THE STEEL WHEEL AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC WHEEL COVER. ONLY AN INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH BUG & TAR REMOVER COULD CLEAN OFF THE MELTED RUBBER. UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN NOT LOCATE THE PAPERWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPLACEMENT, BUT I DID TAKE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

• 09/17/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR, AND IN TURN COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

• 09/16/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE JUST TAKEN IN OUR 99 MONTANA AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE AN ENGINE GASKET LEAK. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND GASKET LEAK THE ENGINE HAS INCURRED. THE FIRST ONE WAS A HEAD GASKET AND THIS MOST RECENT GASKET IS A LOWER INTAKE. THE REASON THIS CONCERNS ME IS THAT I HAD A DEAR FRIEND HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE ISSUE WHERE HE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED TO BE FRIDAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WHILE HE WENT OUT FOR REPAIRS HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE LOST HIS FIRST SON AND HIS SECOND SON HAD BRAIN DAMAGE. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LUCKY AS FAR AS CATCHING THESE GASKET ISSUES IN THEIR EARLY STAGES OF FAILURE. I COULD HAVE BEEN THAT GUY STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A GASKET THAT HAS FAILED, NOT ONCE BUT MAYBE TWICE. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAS A SERIOUS GASKET ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AND ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMER'S FAMILIES SAFETY. *JB

• 09/15/2002· STRUCTURE

  POWER SLIDING DOOR MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE DOOR TO BE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. NLM

• 09/10/2007· VISIBILITY

  WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH OR GREATER) THE WIPER WILL OVER RUN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN INITIALLY TURNED ON. THIS IS RESULTING IN DESTROYING THE BLADE AND CREATING A SAFETY PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT THE GM DEALERS TELL ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY A FORMER BOSCH (CURRENT MANUFACTURER) VICE-PRESIDENT THAT WHEN BOSCH PURCHASED THIS MANUFACTURING LINE FROM UT AUTOMOTIVE, THEY NOTICED THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED G.M. OF THE ISSUE. G.M. CHOSE TO DO NOTHING. WHILE MY CAR IS OLDER, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PRESENT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWER. I AM REPORTING IT NOW BECAUSE IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

• 09/02/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I AM NOT REALLY SURE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, SO THIS IS REALLY MORE A CONCERN AND A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE ADEQUATE STOPPING ABILITY, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM ABLE TO PRESS DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I FIND THIS DISCONCERTING BECAUSE I HAVE NOT OWNED ANY VEHICLE THAT DISPLAYED THIS BEHAVIOR UNLESS IT HAD A PROBLEM (I.E. AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES, LEAKS, BROKEN MASTER CYLINDER, ETC.). THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP ASSURES ME THAT THE VEHICLE MEETS ALL THE SPECIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN THEIR SERVICE MANUAL AND AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED, THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I AM LOOKING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR REPORTS AND SOME SORT OF REASSURANCE THAT THIS INDEED IS "NORMAL". *AK

• 08/31/2006· STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE NOTICEABLE WATER PUDDLES ON THE FLOOR OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THERE WAS ALSO A NOTICEABLY FOUL SMELL COMING FROM THE INTERIOR CARPETS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN ELBOW WAS MISSING. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB

• 08/29/2002· STRUCTURE

  MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VAN. SHE HAD JUST PUT THE BABY IN THE CAR SEAT , WALKED AROUND TO GET IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE DOOR FELL OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND SHE WAS PARKED. THE PART INSIDE MISSED THE BABY. IF SHE HAD BEEN TRAVELING THE BABY COULD OF BEEN HURT . THE PONTICAC DEALER SAID CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OURSELVES. TO ME THIS IS A DEFECT. I MEAN HOW MANY DOORS FALL OFF? WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE HELP! WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE?*AK

• 08/29/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PURCHAUSED USED (6 MONTHS OLD) HAVE NOW OWNED AUTO FOR 2 YEARS. AT 38000 MILES TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIFTING HARSH AT TIMES, HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. ENGINE HAS STARTED ACTING AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3-4 TIME, DUE TO GARBBLED DISPLAY. MOST RECENTLY HOWEVER, I HAD DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES TO THE LOCKS WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE WATER INTRUSION CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING LEAK INTO THE AUTO INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE THE AUTO.*AK