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 2001 Pontiac Montana owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I backed up to the laundry to wash clothes and proceeded to put the car in park and get out to get clothes out of the back. I pushed the brake and thought I had put the car in park because the key came out. When I started to step out of the van to get my clothes out of the back and my foot came off the brake, the car was still running and backed into a block wall. The wall was destroyed, but no one was hurt. The back door of the van is crushed. After a close examination of the ignition lock I found that the key will come out in any position, including running. I had thought the key was not supposed to come out except in the off position. Is this correct? I attempted to find out if it was in the GM recall from my local GM dealer and they claimed ignorance of anything and everything. Including even what constitutes a defective switch and what it is supposed to do and not do. …
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. …
While driving, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle would hesitated when accelerated after a complete stop or when slowing. The dealer was unable to remedy the problem. The consumer requested a refund for the vehicle. Other problems are as followed: the vehicle felt as if it was going to stall when idled due to dirty injector(s), there was noise on driver side of the engine, the horn would go off by itself/dealer unable to duplicate, the cover in the rear hatch on the left side did not stay in place and reinstalled the panel door, the transmission had no reverse and grinds when placed in forward gears/removed transmission assembly and disassembled, there was clunking when in gear, the planetary gears were rounded, the transmission acted as if it wanted to take off, found a loose motor mount on the driver side and was tightened, the steering was stiff, and was noisy when …
When the vehicle is placed in gear there is a scraping noise. This noise was first noticeable in reverse only. However it started happening in drive as well. Also when braking at intersections the engine completely disengages and free wheels. Then when accelerating again it takes a second or two for the transmission to re-engage. The dealership heard the noise and experienced the problem. Then the transmission completely broke on their drive during this problem's evaluation. The transmission had to be replaced after only 41,500 miles. There was internal metal debris throughout as well as lots of gear damage.
Vehicle made a clunk on Sunday June 19,2005 while backing out of a parking spot and going into drive. Drove it home 80 miles without any other symptom. Drove vehicle the next day 3 miles, and the transmission had a major internal failure while taking off from a stop light. Wife and 2 small children were stranded in an intersection with a vehicle that would not move. Had vehicle towed to local dealership. Needs a $2800 transmission repair. Dealer in possesion of old parts.
At 60,000 miles the transmission is junk. I took my van to two different transmission shops and both said the same thing, it needs to be repalced or rebuilt! I quote "we see alot of these Pontiac montanas come in, the transmission gives out between 50,000 and 70,000 miles." the planetary gears are shot, 4th clutch gone, metal debris through out the transmission!!!!
Ever since my husband and I bought the van it when you put it in a gear and step on the gas it would rev the engine and hit hard in gear and causing the van to jerk hard we took it to a mechanic where we were told and he said it was the drive shaft and replaced it and it should not jerk no more but it seems to be worse than it was when they fixed it.
Upon starting vehicle, after it had been driven and parked, it launched forward. Then, after driving for a mile, vehicle wouldn't go into drive or reverse when consumer attempted to park in driveway. Dealership determined that transmission was defective, and needed to be replaced.
At 64,000 the transmission broke. I was told it has damaged gears in it which caused metal fragments to damage the transmission and it will have to be replaced. After looking on this website and speaking to previous owners of this vehicle this appears to be a common problem.
Transaxle slips in stop and go traffic as engine temperature reaches 200 degrees. Slippage increaces as temperature increases over 200 degrees. Dealer cannot reproduce during short test drives. Vehicle only has 35,000 miles on transaxle.
Transmission complaints in other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Pontiac Montana, 13% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Montana transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.