Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Pontiac Montana owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Engine: intake manifold gasket leaking. I followed thru with a complaint to the bbb and to Pontiac's 800 number. I was told I needed to have the van diagnosed at a GM dealer before anything could be done by Pontiac. My dealer quality Pontiac in cocoa, florida looked at the van and agreed the intake manifold gasket was leaking (November 2002). Quality informed me it would be about $500 to repair. A phone call to Pontiac's 800 # put pressure on the dealer and they performed the work for $100 plus extra for a coolant flush. The total was around $180. Supposedly the work came with a 12 month 12000 mile warranty. I think the van had 58000 miles on it when this work was performed. Looking back I have a feeling it started leaking earlier. Today we have 70500 miles on the van and the check engine light is coming on. The codes indicate that engine cylinder 5 is misfiring. …
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.
While driving down a hill approximately 45 MPH brake pedal unexpectedly fell to the floor, and driver was unable to activate brake system. Vehicle went through a red light and caused a crash. Three people were injuried; 2 people in Pontiac, Montana received restraint related chest injuries, and 1 person in another vehicle was hospitalized with unknown injuries. Vehicle has not been examined to determine cause of the brake problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Heat & engine low coolant light on;heater blower inop at some speeds(replace intake gasket and blower fan resistor paint paint bubbled on hood transmission harsh shifting (faulty pressure control solenoid) wheel noise in bearing (replace wheel hub assembly) brakes a.b.s light always comes on(loose wires;disconnected wire faulty sensor)ongoing problem not fixed(rear wiper motor;passenger mirror keeps shifting;no heat control in position half window half floor
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. …
At 28,000 miles, the general tires that came w/the vehicle were completely bald & had to be replaced. They were supposed to be 80,000 mile tires & had been rotated numerous times, the cooling system: while on vacation, the cooling system overheated. Told by dealer out of town that radiator cap loose & was tightened. 3 weeks later low coolant light kept coming on & took to dealer on 8/12/00. Told coolant system dirty & needed to be flushed; $100.00. Also told battery that came w/vehicle was leaking acid which also ruined battery positive cable. Both needed to be replaced. Said out of goodwill would not charge for battery cable but charged $98 for battery. Brakes started to fail @ 11,000 miles, rotors cut @ 28,000 & told rotors not under warranty because not considered safety problem. Rotors still warped & need cutting. …
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".
I writing to express dissatisfaction 2 major component failures occurred on a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. The intake leak appears to be a known problem - buyer beware. I can understand disc pad wear, but not major brake system replacement/repair. The mechanic also noted excessive lifter noise; I fear this observation will lead to more major repair work. The dealer has been responsive. My complaint is intended for the manufacturere and other consumers. I will not be a good referral for prospective minivan owners - essentially my entire social base fits the demographic for minivan buyers.
On March 27, 2004 my wife noticed the brake pedal feeling stiff on our 1999 Pontiac Montana. The following day the "brake", "ABS" & "TCS" lights came one. I checked all the brake shoes, calipers etc and found them to be in good order. After having a diagnostic conducted it was explained the ABS and brake modules had failed. I am concerned with these two systems failing simultaneously.
Consumer took vehicle to have master cylinder replaced on July 12th, 1999. Entire car was shaking and smoking badly, dec. 06, 1999, more brake repairs. Dealer said retaining clip broke, retaining clip not on. Dec 14, had a low brake pedal, and emergency brakes would sometimes go to the floor , and sometimes they would not.
NHTSA investigations
Traction control
Brake complaints in other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Pontiac Montana, 10% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Montana brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Pontiac Montana, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Montana brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.