Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Pontiac Montana owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle for 10 minutes she noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. She tried to put the fire out with water but when she did flames started to come out of the vents. Wires were melted and the heating system and the cd player were also destroyed. The fire department responded and put the fire out. The police were not called. The manufacturer had not been contacted at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 158,171. The VIN was unknown.
We have a 2000 Pontiac Montana, my little girl and I were driving home from the store that's 15 min from home I noticed a burning smell, then smoke came pouring out of the dash buy the time we got out the security lite was on check motor light was on and it would only go ten miles an hour, so the next day I took apart the dash and found the wiring burnt up, and now I cant even start it so im stuck with a broken down van, that I just had a $600 dollar fix so now im out $600 and a van. I cant fix it because I don't have the money too so all old parts are available for some $$.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the power sliding door does not lock. The dealer stated that no recalls were available. The failure has been ongoing for five days. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, but the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic removed the door from the vehicle. When it was placed back on, the failure stopped for only a few days. The failure mileage was 113,546 and current mileage was 113,600. Updated 09/01/09. The power doors would not lock. Updated 09/04/09.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, all of the instrument cluster panel warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced. After the replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was again inspected by the dealer who performed a diagnostic test, which did not produce any failure codes. The manufacturer was alerted.
The car would start missing, like there was a short in the electrical and then the car would shut off the and I would have to sit there for 1 to 2 hrs and then it would start and run for a while and shut off again, the last 2 times this happen I had to have a tow truck pick it up and take it to my home where it has sat ever seance 2008.
The door comes unlatched from the Pontiac Montana Mini vans w/o power slider also. Subsequently my van door passanger side came open slamming off half on the road and then remained attached to the top but the track wheel snapped off, making it inpossible to put on with out tools and the muscles to even lift it.
After two recalls from GM over several months. Dealer avoids repairs. Right elec. Sliding door recalled for hazardous inside handle. Could brake fingers. No correction was been attempted. Dealer avoids ordering parts so replacement can't take place.
We were driving our brand new Montana van at about 25 miles per hour when the engine just stopped. We had all other electrical working (doors, windows, tv) but the motor would not turn over. It was difficult to steer to the side of the road. This was at 731 miles on the odometer. We had it towed to a dealership and after 3 days they claimed it was a blown fuse. We picked up the van and tried to drive it home. We made it 40 miles and it died again. Appears to be the same problem. Had it towed to the dealership in our home town and they have had it for 4 days and still can not find out what has caused it to stop. In the meantime, they are racking up the miles on our new vehicle and even if they give us the van back, we are not sure we will ever feel safe in it again. …
New March 2000. Van always receives regular maintenance. The following is a history of repairs: 4/00 windshield wipers would not return to closed position - dealer fixed. 12/03 (37,179 mi) tps sensor breaking down causing idle to surge - dealer replaced throttle position sensor, completed reprogram ($255.14) 12/03 (37,182 mi) air bag light coming on - dealer replaced right front seat belt buckle under warranty (labor $134.51). 12/27/03 (37,555 mi) was in collision (other vehicle pulled out in front of me as I was coming down small overpass, he was cited). My van sustained $4,500 in front end damages, his car was totaled. My air bags did not deploy. No one injured. 5/04 (40,983 mi) rear hatch would not stay up - dealer replaced both hatch props ($258.73) 7/04 (43,437 mi) van was "shifting" hard, would not pick up speed correctly. …
I would like to report a possible manufacture defect of my 2000 Pontiac Montana. There was electrical damage within the engine compartment due to the factory (where the vehicle was assembled) miss routing of the harness from the positive cable of the battery. The harness was found, by the mechanic, to be routed over the air conditioner, which in-time burned through to the bare wires, which in-turn shorted out causing damage to the PCM and battery plus burned out most of the wiring connected to the positive cable of the battery. According to the mechanic who preformed the repairs, this problem appears to be a manufacture defect and considering the year and mileage of the vehicle this should not have happen. …
Electrical complaints in other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Pontiac Montana, 10% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Pontiac Montana electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2000 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 2000 Pontiac Montana electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.