2000 Pontiac Montana Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  15
• Engine
  12
• Engine › Gasoline
  10
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  9
• Exhaust system
  3
• Cooling system › Radiator assembly
  2

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  12%
• 25k–50k
  1533%
• 50k–75k
  1430%
• 75k–100k
  817%
• 100k–150k
  49%
• 150k+
  49%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Pontiac Montana owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I did not realize every owner of a Pontiac Montana all had same problems. Every owner. Here is one of the websites. Http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/comment/3340529. The dealer sold me a Pontiac Montana. The second day I drove it, I ran out the gas because the gas gauge read full, but actually it was empty. I did not realize the gas gauge stops working until every owner had the same problem. Every owner had a condenser problem. Every owner. Which in turn makes the head gasket go. I am a single parent and did not understand that numerous calls to GMC were made and no recalls has been done. It is shameless, how people like me are struggling and these car dealers made billions with faulty equipment. If you google Pontiac complaints. Every owner had the same problem. Every owner. I cant afford to replace a motor because of the head gasket. I am still making payments on this car loan. …

This is a addon from the previous one I submitted just now. I want to point out. I was almost killed when I ran out of gas on the highway, because the gas gauge read incorrectly. When the engine become hot, it almost started a fire. I am a single parent with a ten year old. Dealers are still selling these Pontiac Montana's. We do not know how many deaths it May have already caused. Or how many women and children were stranded, because the gas gauge reads incorrectly, it will say its full but it is actually empty. The condensers go, which cause a blown head gasket. I cannot afford to replace the motor, and I already put out close to a thousand dollars already. The first month I bought it from a dealer. Every owner has had the same exact problem. Every owner. Here is one of the websites I did not realize every owner of a Pontiac Montana all had same problems. Every owner. …

I purchased the vehicle at 72,000kms (45,000) miles and shortly afterward noticed that coolant needed to be topped up occasionally over the subsequent six month period. There was no evidence of coolant leaking into the crankcase, but there was a pool of coolant collecting externally under the intake manifold. After some on-line investigating, I contacted my local dealer, inquiring as to whether this was a common problem. I was told that it was likely the intake gaskets and sometimes the gaskets "get old and dry up" but that it was not overly common. They quoted me apx $800 to repair. ($350 for the intake gaskets and "numerous" other gaskets that would require replacement plus labour). I politely commented that I was baffled how a 3 year old plastic gasket could be classified as "old and dried up". …

2000 Pontiac Montana 3.4 liter numerous coolant leaks at intake area at about 60,000 miles. Also coolant cooler allowed oil to get in to the coolant system. I retorqued intake and aleviated problem for about 10,000 miles and then came back. Ended up having dealer replace intake gaskets and they informed me that GM had redesigned the gaskets because of an epidemic of this exact problem. The dealer designated 1 mechanic to specialize with this defect and I talked to the mechanic and he ingformed me that he had done this so much that he could do the wokk in about 3 hrs versus the original 6 to 7 hours it took him the first time his quote "you do it as much as I have and you get very efficient". GM should have recalled and made good on the repair. In the last 20 years I have bought 6 new GM vehicles and I am very dissappointed that the dealer/corporate would not make good on the repair. …

My parents bought a 2000 Montana van in November of 2002. It seems to be leaking antifreeze. The local GM dealer where they purchased it, says it is the intake manifiold gaskets. For $2,500 they could repair the problem. I took the matter up with the owner of the dealership, and showed him a copy of a GM service bulletin which talks about the problem with the gasket material and asked him what they would do about it. He said he would look into it but could not promise anything. An update is that he said that GM would possibly cover 99.9% of the bill. The reason he gave was that the origional owner of the van purchased it at the same dealership and had it regularily serviced there and they have all the service records. The van had 97,000 km when my parents purchased it, since then they have only added 1000km, my parents also figured it was leaking from the day it was purchased. …

Problems with paint, gaskets, brakes and cooling system. There was a hissing noise which had come from the tire area due to misalignment, low coolant light had come on, the gaskets ,oil pump and drive o-ring were replaced, the brake pedal had gone to the floor while stopped at a light which happened more than twice and seemed as if they weren't going to work at all and had to pump the pedal to bring the pedal back enough to allow stopping. There was an incident where the consumer had to activate the emergency brake to avoid an accident. The warning light never had come on. The master cylinder was replaced, the front brake pads, resurfaced rotors, cleaned and adjusted rear brakes. Other problems are as followed: the trim on the driver side windshield had come apart, the handle on the back latch had come off, and both turn signal bulbs needed to be replaced.

2000 Pontiac Montana; 3.4ltr 6cyl: "service engine" soon light prompted service visit. Tech told us that codes indicated that intake manifold gaskets had failed and that engine oil and coolant were leaking. Such leakage caused oil contamination of the coolant as well as coolant contamination of the oil. Technician further commented that this was an extremely common problem with the GM 3.4 ltr 6cyl engine and had been known to GM for several years, but had never been fixed. Repair costs approx $800 and must be done since the related codes will cause failure of annual emissions testing and vehicle license tags will not be issued. Internet research on this defect confirmed that problem is widespread and well known. GM should be forced to recall all affected vehicles.

Transmission went out at around 44000 miles. Dealer said the "lip seal" failed inside transmission, after taking it in several times for diagnosis. Would not assist with repair cost. Ended up having it repaired at aamco. A/C is currently out on the low setting (#1). Not yet repaired. Just repaired the cooling system. Dealer said it was an internal leak. Van kept getting low on coolant, had to keep filling it up, however never saw a leak. Dealer said problem with the manifold, and coolant was leaking thru and being evaportated, therefore no telltale leak. Cost $600 to repair (at 53,000) miles. I hate this van. This is the worst one I've had. Unfortunately, I did not buy an extended warranty.

My Montana has had problems since I bought it used at a certified GM used car lot at lindsey cheverolet. It has been buring through at least 2 quarts of oil or more with-in less then 700 miles. I took it in to the dealership and they checked for leaks but could not find any. There is no smoke from the engine or tail pipe. There is no leaks on the engine anywhere or at the oil pan. They would not do anything about it. I have browsed the web and have found other owners that are having the same problem with their 2000 Pontiac Montana. I do not have the kind of money to spend on oil like it is going out of style. Is there any recalls on this problem or can anyone else help me.

I have a 2000 Pontiac Montana with a 3.4 liter engine. I had the intake manifold gasket replaced in January of 2003 because the coolant was leaking out. It cost about $600 to do this. I recently changed the oil on February 29, 2004 and noticed coolant in the oil again. I am now working with the mechanic again to fix the problem. Apparently there is a quality control problem at GM regarding their manifold gaskets. I know other people with the same problem. A friend of mine owns a 2003 grand am with a 3.4 liter and they had to have their intake manifold gasket replaced twice. My brothers rich and steve also owned GM trucks that needed the intake gaskets replaced.

Engine complaints in other Montana years