Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Pontiac Montana owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The van when in park will revive the engine and jump, when stopping with new brakes and all that fun stuff when the van is doing this reviving state it takes longer to stop and like the van is fighting it. It sometimes over shifts when in this state when taking off from a light (does the reviving thing when moving. I am afraid one day it is going to jump and hit something or some one or not stop.
Gas leaking under the driver seat and under the hood. Also, gas was pouring out from the motor. The window failed to open, the consumer is currently waiting on a new motor. The rear brakes were leaking, the tie rods had to be replaced because they were loose, the left rear stuck became stuck, when the gear was taken out of park and placed into drive and the consumer proceeded to accelerate the vehicle jerked, the engine light illuminated, the dealer determined the emission system was dragging, the driver side mirror vibrated, the bumper cover was loose. When the consumer attempted to turn the key in the ignition, the vehicle did not start, the dealer was unable to duplicate the consumer's concern. The fuel pressure regulator was leaking and the fuel filter was replaced. The vehicle would not go over 10 MPH, the vehicle shifted and then returned to normal speed. …
At 95,000 miles, my 2001 Pontiac Montana van began to leak water and I took it to a local mechanic. He informed me that the intake manifold gasket was leaking and that it needed to be replaced or that it would damage the engine permanently. In order to verify the problem, I took it to the local Pontiac dealer and the diagnosis was confirmed. Both garages told me that they had repaired the same problem on many of the same engines that were used in chevrolets, pontiacs and oldsmobiles. The cost of the repair was in excess of $830. If these are inherent problems with these engines, why hasn't GM issued a recall? I repaired the same problem with my 1997 Pontiac transport Montana twice. When are they going to stand behind their product and repair the flawed design?
Bought a 2001 Pontiac Montana with 102,400 miles on it and within three days of ownership the intake gaskets are blown. Repairs are estimated to be $700-$900 without knowing it has done more damage than that. Looked online and found a website that over 9600 people have signed that they had problems with that same engine 3.4l v6. There has been no recall from GM and I think that there should be. Why are we stuck with a bill that high, when it supposedly got rectified in 2002 vehicles. I am sure that there is more people out there that have had the same problems with the head and intake gaskets on these vehicles that has not yet signed the petition. The website address is: http://www.petitiononline.com/gmcnsmrs/petition.html please review! Thank you.
The compressor for my 2001 Montana, having only 68K miles was diagnosed as defective by jones Pontiac service in lancaster. There was a crack in the compressor, which wasn't caused by wear & tear. The manufacturer, Pontiac refused to replace this at a discounted cost. The replacement cost was $1,200. The compressor doesn't work, and would leak freon into the atmosphere if used. I haven't had this fixed or permitted freon to be filled into the compressor, so I haven't used the compressor. The compressor is needed to defrost the windows in the winter, which could cause a hazardous situation. I believe Pontiac should hold the manufacturer accountable for this abnormal defect, and offer a 75% discount on the part.
The air conditioner compressor has failed and my mechanic said he has had a rash of failures with the GM products, in fact he received a tech notice to the effect that he could expect a lot of trouble with this product. I called GM with no satisfaction, with so many failure they should take some responsibility for this failure. The cost for this item installed is over $800.00 and for anyone on retirement this is a major expense. I would like to know how many failure occurred and how many complaints GM has received over this. I would think they would be afraid to recall this product maybe it would put them out of business as they already are in deep trouble for not selling a good product. Thanks.
Car began leaking engine coolant from the back of the engine with only 60,000 miles on the odometer. Upon examination, it was found that the coolant leak was coming from the lower intake manifold gasket. This car has always run hot (between the half way mark and the red area of the gauge). The car finally overheated. The dealership said that there was no coolant in the engine, however the burp tank was nearly full, with no spillage. The dealership insisted that it overheated because of the leaking intake manifold gasket. We reluctantly agreed to replace the gasket to a tune of $1,376.00. The car still runs too hot in my opinion, but has not yet overheated.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Montana. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road and it shut off completely. He waited approximately 30 minutes and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle completely shut off again and he waited 30 minutes before restarting it to drive home. Two days later, the vehicle was towed to a mechanic and he stated that there was water in the engine and the manifold intake gasket was cracked approximately two inches. The dealer has not been notified. The current mileage was 178,000 and failure mileage was 177,950.
I had no heat in my van and took it in to see what the problem was. The automotive place that I took it informed me the gasket was leaking fluid and needed to be repaired immediately or it could seize the motor. I was also informed that these vehicles were know for this problem. The cost was to repair it was in excess of $850. A sum which I could not afford but had to put on credit as I need the vehicle to go back and forth to work. If this make and model are famous for this problem why have they not been recalled. It would sure be a gesture of good will on Pontiac if they did.
I was just driving to the store and all of a sudden without warning my van started to overheat and smoke the temp got to above 260 and it just stopped in the road. I had my children with me and had no idea what happened. My 17 year old son had to push me out of the road and I called my brother and he drove out to me and checked things out who is a mechanic and he said I blew a head gasket, he said these things happen but it should not have happened at 79,000 miles. I called around to see how much it would be to fix and so far no one will do it because it is alot of trouble.
Engine complaints in other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Pontiac Montana, 24% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Montana engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Pontiac Montana, though it has 9 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 2001 Pontiac Montana engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.