Most common 2002 Pontiac Montana problems
Share of the 126 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Montana complaints by model year
Best Montana years: 1997, 2006, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Compare all years →
2002 Pontiac Montana recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures May lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on December 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on December 13, 2007.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for…
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Pontiac Montana:
Power-sliding door
Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's…
What 2002 Pontiac Montana owners say
Engine & cooling all 25 →
Tl contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the head gasket and the intake gasket had corroded from a cooling leak. She also experienced overheating and the only coolant that the dealer is telling her to use is dex cool. The contact stated that this type of coolant has been known to cause failures and that there should be some other type of coolant to use. She stated that the power door on the passenger side has signs of corrosion, the fuel gauge is erratic and prevents her from knowing the amount of fuel in the vehicle, the driver side front tire hub is loose, the overhead console for the temperature and compass has failed, and the air conditioning has a hole in the hose. According to the manufacturer, since the contact changed her own oil, that is the reason she is experiencing so many failures. Therefore, the manufacturer stated that they are not liable. …
We ought the van as a program with 20,000 miles on it,within the first month the power windows would not work all the time meaning sometimes they work and sometimes they dont. Same thing for the interior lights. In the summer of 2003 the air condition developed a sloe leak that progressed within weeks,we now have no air at all and the part aloe is going to cost $400.00. In October of 2003 on our way to a high school football game the transmission went out. There was no warning at all,it had not been leaking or acting up in any way it made a thud sound going down the hiway and that was it..no more transmission $4,000.00 to repair.
Fuel & propulsion system all 21 →
2002 Pontiac Montana. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, I smelled a strong odor of fuel outside the vehicle. I noticed a small amount of fuel spilling from the lower portion of the fuel tank. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic. The failure was related to a crack in the fuel tank inlet check valve. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 93,426. Also since this happening the gas tank does not read the gas amount correctly,its either full or low on fuel and light comes on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Montana. After the vehicle was driven and parked, the contact noticed a strong odor of fuel emerging from the rear. The contact checked under the vehicle and noticed fuel coming out the side of the fuel tank where the seal was making a puddle on the floor. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: a-31191114851. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.
Brakes
Dt: ABS. While driving on the freeway with the cruise control on the car started to slow down without warning. The ABS light was on. Vehicle was taken to dealer and mechanic said the sensor and rod that engages the antilock brakes had corroded. This is not covered under consumer's warranty. The estimated cost is over $225.00. This has not been fixed yet and consumer has no antilock brakes just regular brakes. Updated 11/16/2005 -
While driving at any speed the ABS brake light and the 4 wheel drive light illuminated. Consumer stated that as a result the vehicle was stuck in the snow. When the ABS is not working properly, the vehicle will not brake safely, and the four/all wheel drive will not work. The vehicle will not have the traction to go up a hill. ( ABS and all wheel drive would fail at any time) scc
2002 Pontiac Montana engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Pontiac Montana a good car?
Based on 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Montana rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Montana at the same age. It is one of the Montana years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Pontiac Montana?
The engine & cooling — 25 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (21) and brakes (12).
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Montana have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Montana, the most recent from August 8, 2007 (storage). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Montana?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997, 2006 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. See the full Pontiac Montana years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Montana problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.