Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Hi, we reside in Canada, therefore the mileage is registered in kms. The vehicle now has 78,000 kms on it. The ABS system has been failing, the light originally came on about a week ago. When I first turned the vehicle off the first time the light went off. Now it is on all the time. I believe that the under laying problem with the ebcm module and/or wheel sensors. I have serviced the vehicle regularly and over the christmas holidays we traveled several hundred miles from Canada into the USA I've read several horror stories and it seems to be a persisting problem with the whole vehicle line up. Relay, uplander, sv6...
Braking problems. Vehicle would shutter and shake. Would not slow down quickly when braking. Had two left front wheel hub replaced. Problem started around 15,000 miles. Had to remove & refinish front brake rotors. Had to remove and resurface rear rotors. All work had be done with under 25,000 miles on the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the ignition was turned to the on position and shifted into the park position. The contact exited the vehicle and left the vehicle unattended for four minutes. When the contact returned, the vehicle had crashed into a wall. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My daughter had un-buckled her seat belt because it had locked up, so I went to make a quick stop so I could buckle her back up. I stepped on the brakes moderately hard and the anti-locks activated for about 1 second, then suddenly the wheels completely locked up and the van went into an uncontrollable skid. I hit an 8" curb head on, jumped over it and landed on the front lawn of a motel and skidded to a stop. The front tires popped, the wheels were pushed all the way back to the back of the wheel wells, the frame is bent (body lines don't line up) and I'm sure there is much more wrong with it. The ABS light and traction control light started coming on about a week earlier every time the traction control kicked in. …
Tried to use emergency brake. And it wouldn't work, emergency brake cable broke, someone had put bailing wire to hold it. Dealer has looked at it 3 times. Manufacturer has looked at it. No one seems to have a cable to fit his vehicle. Dealer has told manufacturer that no cables will fit it.
During the first braking, the vehicle brake let go for a brief second. This happens on dry pavement during a normal stop. It was explained from the dealer that the rust build-up on the rotors May be causing the brake to lockup causing the anti-lock brakes to function. This is a very scary situation when pulling up to a stop with a car in front of you and the car will lurch forward with your foot pushing down on the brake pedal.
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
Related recalls (1)
Parking brake
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n).
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on November 14, 2005.
NHTSA investigations
Traction control
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Montana years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (24), 2001 (15), 2000 (14), 2002 (12) and 2005 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Montana brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-287 (parking brake, Jun 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Montana brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (28 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (4).
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.