2003 Pontiac Montana

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

• 12/25/2004· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GASKETS REPLACED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ALSO THE THROTTLE GASKET REPLACED.*AK

• 12/23/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  I BOUGHT MY GRAND PRIX FROM CHIP BANKS IN DUQUOIN, IL. IN AUGUST OF 2006 AND IT HAD ONLY 39,500 AFTER OWNING IT FOR 4 MONTHS THE HEAD STARTED TO MISFIRE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN HEALY COILED TO JUST TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX MY CAR BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND IT DID NOT HAVE VERY MANY MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY. I HAD IT HEALY COILED TO REPAIR IT AND IT HELD FOR 8 MONTHS AND NOW ALL THE OTHER ROCKER ARMS ARE NEEDING HEALY COILED IN BECAUSE THEY ARE WORN OUT AND THEY ARE DROPPING THE PUSH ROD INTO MY HEAD. I BOUGHT A NEW HEAD FOR MY CAR AND HAD IT INSTALLED AND NOW THE OTHER HEAD IS DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM THE MOTHER OF FOUR AND I AM LOW INCOME I CALLED CHIP BANKS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME AND I HAVE NO WAY TO GET MY KIDS AROUND. ONE THING ABOUT MY CAR IS ADVANCED AUTO WHERE I GOT MY HEAD FROM HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER IT BECAUSE IT HAD A 8 MM BOLT PATTERN SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HELPS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OR NOT. I GAVE $13,000.00 FOR THIS CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR I LOVE MY GRAND PRIX I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THE HEADS HAVE BEEN RECALLED OR SOMETHING. I TRIED TO GO ON CAR FAX.COM AND IT SAID MY CAR HAD ELEVEN REPORTS ON IT BUT I DO NOT OWN A CREDIT CARD SO I CANNOT PURCHASE IT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME IF THE CAR HAD EVER BEEN WRECKED OR THE ENGINE MESSED UP OR ANYTHING. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/23/2006· VISIBILITY

  THE WIPERS ON OUR 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH ROUGHLY 48000 MILES, STARTED MOVING SLOWLY EVEN WHEN SET IN THE FASTEST WIPER SETTING. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE THAT REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. WIPERS WERE STILL SLOW. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER ON 10/4/06. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND GREASED THE MECHANICAL ARMS (WIPER TRANSMISSION). A FEW DAYS LATER IN A DRIVING RAIN THE WIPERS STOPPED MOVING COMPLETELY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE GM DEALER 10/16/06. THEY REPLACED THE WIPER TRANSMISSION AND WIPER MOTOR FOR A BILL IN EXCESS OF $1000. THE WIPER TRANSMISSION WAS BINDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE STEM THAT THE WIPER ARM ATTACHES TO. *NM

• 12/21/2004· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE

  CONTINUAL EXPENSIVE REPAIR OF MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. IN JAN. 2003.. DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY SNAPPED. (UNDER WARRANTY). IN OCTOBER 2004... GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE NOZZLE CAME LOOSE FROM THE TANK, $900 REPAIR TODAY.. 12/21/04 VAN DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT TIE ROD LOOSE AND ALIGNMENT $300 (CAR HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

• 12/14/2009· 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. *TR

• 12/10/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. AFTER SERVICE WORK WAS PERFORMED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY ON FOR CYLINDER #3 WERE IN FACT STRIPPED AND FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. UPON DISCOVERING THIS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT CHECKING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO BE PRUDENT. THERE WE ALSO FOUND ONE STRIPPED BOLT ON THE HEAD. THIS ENGINE HAD NEVER BEFORE BEEN APART. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND WERE SHOCKED THAT SUCH A MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AT 62,000 MILES ON A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE!!! *NM

• 12/08/2004· AIR BAGS

  A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ISSUED. THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V051000. *TC

• 12/06/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON A BUSY ROAD. ENDED UP BEING RELATED TO THE CARS PASSLOCK SYSTEM. COST $500 FOR TOWING AND REPAIRS. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN AS CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON THE ROAD AGAIN ON 12/11/2007 AND WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON LATE 90'S EARLY 2000'S GM VEHICLES. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE, I WOULD HATE TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AS EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN ON THE CAR (I.E. POWER STEERING). VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

• 12/05/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  3.1L INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. *TR

• 12/04/2006· POWER TRAINCrash

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY BARRIER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THERE A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. 8AK

• 12/04/2003· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  A BOUNCY WOBBLE OCCURS AT SPEED BETWEEN 30-55 MPH. A LURCH OCCURS AFTER BREAKING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ROLL. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN STATED AS BEING PRESENT BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEM. WE REFUSE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT SHAKES AND BOUNCES. AXLE PROBLEM, CV JOYCE PROBLEM, SUSPENSION HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED, BUT NOTHING DONE. *NLM

• 12/03/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2003 PONTIAC MONTANA STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. I DROVE THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES. NO PROBLEMS WAS FOUND BY DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED PONTIAC. THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN NOT TO START IT BACK UP, THEY WILL HAVE VAN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I AM NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NLM

• 12/02/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL THROUGHOUT HER HOME. SHE DISCOVERED A POOL OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK WAS INVESTIGATED BY A RELATIVE AND THEY FOUND A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN UPDATED 01/02/09. *JB

• 11/30/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT LENSES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND BLOW BULBS OUT. *TR

• 11/30/2004· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS GOING 35 MPH AFTER BEING PICKED UP, AND THE HOOD POPPED UP UNEXPECTEDLY. COST TO REPAIR DAMAGE WAS $1800.00. DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR DAMAGE.*AK

• 11/26/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHT BULBS CONTINUALLY BURN OUT. THE BOTTOM OF THE BULBS ARE MELTED WHEN REMOVED. ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WORK FINE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY OWNERS OF 2002 MODEL MONTANAS THAT HAVE LOGGED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. MINE IS A 2003 MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

• 11/25/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. ALL OF THE POWER DOORS LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. SHE MOVED INTO THE BACK SEAT AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THE DEALER REALIZED THAT THE THEFT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE OR A FIRE OR CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE BATTERY AND THEFT MODULE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

• 11/17/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  FRONT HEADLIGHT HAD LOTS OF MOISTURE ON THE INTERIOR, WHICH CAUSED THE BULB TO BURN OUT. I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT, A $240 PART. *TR

• 11/11/2018· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND HIT A TRUCK BROADSIDE. I ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. NOT ONLY WAS MY SEATBELT INEFFECTIVE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. I DID SUSTAIN CHEST INJURY. IRAN A STOP SIGN IN TOWN.

• 11/11/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEAD LIGHTS FILL UP WITH MOISTURE AND BLOWS HEADLIGHT BULBS OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 11/11/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2003 PONTIAC MONTANA 3.4L SERIES "E" ENGINE. 10/15/2007 85,342 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) STRIPED OUT OF THE 1,3,5 CYLINDER HEAD. HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED AT DEALER $1,500.00. DEALER SERVICE CENTER ALSO CHECKED 2,4,6 CYLINDER HEAD AND ROCKER ARM BOLTS, ALL OK. 11/10/2007 88,702 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) STRIPED OUT OF THE 2,4,6 CYLINDER HEAD. AGAIN ON SAME VEHICLE HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER $1,500.00 THIS SITE AREADY SHOWS LOOSE OR STRIPPED BOLTS ON OTHER 2003 MONTANAS. I WONDER WHAT A CROSS REFERENCE OF GM 3.4L ENGINES SHOW UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/10/2010· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN FINE USING THE POWER SWITCH. BUT ROLLING IT UP IS A PROBLEM. IT ROLLS UP CROOKED AND IS SLOW. HAD TO GRAB THE GLASS BY MY HAND AND HELP. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND WE REPLACED THE SLIDER FOR THE GLASS, THE OLD ONE LOOKED LOOSE AT THE JOINTS THAT SWIVEL. THE NEW MECHANISM WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND IS NOW ACTING THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. SLOW AND CROOKED RISE. WE DID NOT CHANGE THE MOTOR, JUST THE TRACK HARDWARE. *TR

• 11/07/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED MORE FREQUENTLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS A SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER BEING TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS FUEL A LEAK WHERE THE FILLER NECK MET THE TANK. THE TANK AND FILLER NECK WERE REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 10/28/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE VEHICLES TURNS ITSELF OFF. WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS THE VEHICLE CHUGS AND THE RPM GAUGE DIVES DOWN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE KEY HAS BEEN RELEASED, THE STARTER CONTINUES TO CRANK ON ITS OWN. *JB

• 10/25/2007· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN SHE LEANED OVER THE SEAT. THE FAILURE MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE LOUD NOISE FROM THE AIR BAG, HER HEARING HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY RESTORED. SHE HAS NOT YET BEEN TREATED FOR THIS CONDITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ

• 10/21/2010· AIR BAGS

  A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA WAS IN A PARKING LOT. PEOPLE SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE IGNITION WAS ON BUT THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK. WITHOUT ANY WARNING, BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING SOFT TISSUE INJURY TO DRIVER'S LEFT LOWER RIB CAGE. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED; THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER OBJECT. *TR

• 10/17/2014· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,IGNITION DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN KEY WAS RELEASED,INCIDENT BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. *TR

• 10/15/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING IN NEW VAN FILLED IT UP WITH GAS, AND WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND GAS WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK. CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF SOMEONE THREW A CIGARETTE OR A MATCH OUT OF THE WINDOW NEAR VEHICLE.*AK

• 10/07/2004· CHILD SEAT

  CHILD/PARENT CAN EASILY OPEN THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT HARNESS CHEST CLIP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TC

• 10/02/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WIFE DETECTED A GAS SMELL FROM THE REAR OF HER VAN. SHE LET IT GO DUE TO THE RECENT FILL UP. I NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER MY WIFE'S VAN AND INVESTIGATED THE SOURCE OF THE PUDDLE. I DETERMINED THAT THE LIQUID WAS GAS AND IT WAS STREAMING FROM AROUND THE INLET FUEL VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK. I LOOKED UP THE REPAIR PROCEDURE ON LINE AND CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON MY PARTICULAR VAN. (RECALL ID# 07V349000) COME TO FIND OUT THIS RECALL WAS SEGREGATED TO THREE MOS. IN 2002.(JUNE-AUGUST) MY PARTICULAR DATE OF ASSEMBLY IS OCT. 2002, IN TURN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. HOWEVER REFLECTS THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

• 09/19/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WE PURCHASED OUR MINI VAN BRAND NEW IN 2003, SINCE THEN THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR BOUNCES OPEN. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT INTERMITTENTLY THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE, IT WILL CONTINUE TO REOPEN. SOMETIMES THE DOOR WILL ONLY PARTIALLY CLOSE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, ALL PARTS ON THE DOOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE CALLED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE DOOR, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND NOBODY SEEMS TO BE INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE IT'S PROPERLY FIXED. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TOLD THAT A "DIAGNOSTIC" NEEDS TO BE RUN ON THE DOOR, HOW WOULD THIS MAKE A DIFFERENCE...THE PARTS ON THIS DOOR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. *JB

• 09/08/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL TANK HAS LEAK. *JB

• 09/08/2003· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. GENERAL GT2000 TIRE. *AK

• 09/05/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING AT 60,000 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAVE HEARD THIS FROM MANY SOURCES AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING PROPOSED. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

• 08/29/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED CAB. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE WAS SQUEALING, SHAKING, AND SQUEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS MISSING A CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE WAS LOOSE. THE ROCKER BOLT FELL OFF OF THE HEAD OF THE ROCKER ARM AND THE HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE INCREASED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-45MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 85,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 08/25/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK. *TR

• 08/06/2014· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,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. *TR

• 08/01/2017· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE DEALER (STOOPS BUICK GMC, 1251 QUAKER BLVD, PLAINFIELD, IN, 46168, 317-839-7771) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 216,000.

• 07/29/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  CHECK THE AIRBAGS SOMETHING WITH BRAKE LIGHT AN ELECTRICAL.

• 07/26/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  GAS LEAK ON MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE TANK. *TR

• 07/23/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2003 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT UNITS FILL UP WITH CONDENSATION EFFECTIVELY RUINING THE HEADLIGHTS. GENERAL MOTORS REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE UNIT IN 2006 AS A "GOODWILL' GESTURE BUT NOW REFUSES TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I UNDERSTAND HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER PONTIAC MINIVANS. THESE FAILURES ARE NOT DUE TO ANY EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE UNITS BUT SOME DEFECT IS CAUSING THESE UNITS TO FILL WITH CONDENSATION AND THIS CREATES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BY RUINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS.. *TR

• 07/13/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM V6 AND AM ON MY 5TH SET OF LIFETIME WARRENTY BREAKS AND MY 2ND SET OF ROTORS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE GAS HAND MALFUNCTIONING AND THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING.

• 06/24/2010· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMCrash

  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. *TR

• 06/19/2012· ENGINE

  VAN OVER HEATED AFTER REPLACING WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. DEXCOOL WAS REQUIRED BY GM FOR WARRANTY CAR WAS FLUSHED OUT AND DEXCOOL WAS REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER VAN OVER HEATED AGAIN, WAS TOLD IT WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN HEATING SYSTEM. BLEED OUT SYSTEM USING A VACUUM PUMP AND PULLED OUT ALL THE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN IN SPRING IN 3/6/2012 OVER HEATED AGAIN DRIVINGBAT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 25 MILES FROM STARTING POINT. FOUND AIR IN SYSTEM AGAIN. HAD WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, HOSES AND COOLANT ALL REPLACED AGAIN. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. DEXCOOL DESTROYED THE HEAD GASKET IN THE MOTOR. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND FROM NEW REPAIR SHOP THEY WORK ON AT LEAST 2 A WEEK. GM HAS HIDDEN THIS FROM THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE A FULL RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS. AT NO COST TO OWNERS. THIS REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $1500 TO $2000 DEPENDING ON THE REPAIR SHOP I HAVE CONTACTED. WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY NOTHING WAS SAID, NOW THEY SAY IT'S THE HEAD GASKETS AT THE GM DEALERSHIPS. *JS

• 06/19/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT

  AFTER SHUTTING OFF VAN, TRIED TO OPEN SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR WITH KEY FOB, NOTHING HAPPENED, TRIED YANKING ON DOOR, AGAIN NOTHING, TRIED OPENING DOOR WITH SWITCH IN UPPER CONSOLE, NOTHING. DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, BUT WOULD NOT OPEN UNDER POWER. SON WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VAN. MY HUSBAND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN DOOR WITH GREAT FORCE. HAD TO MANUALLY FORCE DOOR TO CLOSE. WHEN I TOOK THE VAN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED HAD THE SERVICE TECH LOOK AT THE DOOR AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T RECREATE PROBLEM, THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. WAS TOLD TO BRING BACK VAN IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD TO TIE DOOR CLOSED AS THE LOCK MIGHT FAIL, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. ANY WONDER WHY WE ARE NOT BUYING OUT THE LEASE OR PURCHASING ANOTHER MONTANA. *JB

• 06/13/2004· POWER TRAIN

  SEVERAL TIMES THERE HAS BEEN STRANGE NOISES FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. REPORTED BUT NOTHING DONE. GETTING OFF AN INTERSTATE AND LEAVING THE STOP SIGN AND PULLING ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY BEGAN TO BUILD SPEED BUT CAR STARTED TO WOBBLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. TRIED TO STOP BUT THE CAR WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. COASTED TO STOP. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE IN PLACE SNAPPED. THERE WAS NO RUST, NO OTHER DAMAGE SIGHTED. SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PART. REVIEWED BY GMC REPRESENTATIVE AND THE GARAGE. THEY REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR "AXLE" ASSMEBLY AD THIS OCCURRED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, CONDITIONS WERE SUCH THAT I BELEIVE THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. AS I NOTED, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. *AK

• 06/11/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN PLACING GASOLINE IN THE TANK. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) FRACTURED, WHICH ALLOWED FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE HAS A LONG WHEEL BASE INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR WHEEL BASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $900 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF UPDATED 07/06/09.*JB

• 05/31/2008· SUSPENSION

  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! *TR

• 05/29/2003· EQUIPMENT

  THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE LIFT WHEEL PIN IS NOT ADEQUATE TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER. *AK

• 05/27/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON OUR 2003 MONTANA MINIVAN COMPLETELY CLOSED ON MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS HAND YESTERDAY, BREAKING HER FINGER AND CAUSING BRUSING AND SWELLING.*MR