Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that on the passenger's side of the vehicle the bracket , big steel bar - universal joint, which holds the axle in place broke right in the center, and the wheel went right under the bumper and almost flipped the vehicle over. Universal joint sheared off, letting the axle rip through harness sensor hub, steel brake line, shocks, muffler, rubber insulators, and the rear coil springs were found on the ground. The contact was pulling out of a school parking lot driving 2 MPH and in the middle of a turn when this happened. The contact has pictures of the incident. The contact filed a claim with the manufacturer ,and the manufacturer denied any responsibility. The current and failure mileage were both 12700.
Engine. Poor gasket/coolant design allowed coolant to leak into engine causing cam bearings to sieze causing my cam shaft to break. Vehicle is still 1,500km away at a dealership who is currently replacing with new engine. My cost= engine+labour+extra week holiday for being stranded+plane ticket to return home {and to fly back to pick it up once everything is repaired} I checked the internet on a hunch and was absolutly amazed at the extreamly high amound of people having the same problem. The smacks of a bad design/ insufficient testing/ and cover-up on GM's part even with their bullitens for this available on the internet.
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
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
At roughly 2K miles, the transmission was replaced. Then again at 28K miles, another replacement. Both were covered under warranty, but I tried to get the local dealer and GM to buy it back since it was untrustworthy for my family. The most my threats could do was get an extended 60K/$0 deductable warranty out of GM. Then at 56.5K miles, the intake manifold gasket problem got me. This also resulted in a water pump replacement.
Intermittently transmission will shift very rough and hard, and transmission emits a whining noise. Once it starts, it continues until the vehicle is turned off and resets. It appears to be happening when the temperature of the vehicle increases to about 210, but it's not consistent. Also had intake manifold gaskets replaces for $700.
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. When changing gears transmission had a hard shift. When starting from one gear to another there was a winding noise that could be heard when the vehicle was in motion. Consumer felt there should be a recall on vehicle.
I have a '99 Pontiac Montana with GM's infamous v6 3.4l engine. Just had the intake manifold gasket job at 56.5K miles. This is a noted problem, with sudden over heating and the car stopped on my wife. Also the vehicle is on its third tranmission.
While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle transmission would shift gears without warning. This would cause a distraction to the consumer. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.
Intake manifold gasket leak. Needed replacement after loss of coolant into oil. Evedently a common defect. $700. Transmission problems at 24K miles. Dealer fixed. At 79K miles needed replacement for $3300.
Transmission complaints in other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Pontiac Montana, 14% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Montana transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.