Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 37 | −61% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2005 | 81 | typical | 5 | Body | Average |
| 2004 | 39 | −51% | 3 | Fuel System | Good |
| 2003 | 84 | typical | 5 | Fuel System | Average |
| 2002 | 126 | 1.6× | 3 | Engine | Caution |
| 2001 | 156 | 1.9× | 9 | Engine | Caution |
| 2000 | 228 | 2.7× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1999 | 235 | 3.1× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1998 | 49 | −41% | 3 | Engine | Good |
| 1997 | 18 | −74% | 1 | Engine | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Montana year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Pontiac Montana problems
Latest Pontiac Montana recalls
Suspension › Rear
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification May not have been adequately welded.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 4, 2010. Owners May contact braun at 1-800-488-0359.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures May lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on December 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on December 13, 2007.
Air bags › Frontal
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (GM) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in GM's letter to…
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.
Parking brake
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n).
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on November 14, 2005.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Pontiac Montana should you avoid?
1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Montana years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1999.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Montana?
1997 has the fewest complaints compared with other Montana years at the same age, followed by 2006 and 2004. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Pontiac Montana problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (287), body & structure (118) and electrical system (116). Engine complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Pontiac Montana had?
20 recalls across 1997–2006. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Pontiac Montana recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.