Pontiac Montana Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  61
• Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
  3
• Axle hubs
  3
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  2
• Driveline
  2
• Axle assembly
  2
• Manual transmission
  1
• Driveline › Universal joint
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1016%
• 25k–50k
  1422%
• 50k–75k
  2235%
• 75k–100k
  711%
• 100k–150k
  610%
• 150k+
  46%

What owners report

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the transmission failed. As a result, the vehicle decelerated and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel cap failure light and engine warning light illuminated. The independent mechanic replaced the fuel cap several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

We've been having an issue with the van decelerating on its own and having to lay down on the gas to get it going again. Still havn't found out what it is. Now our "AWD disabled" light came on. This worries me because we live in mn and have terrible roads in the winter. That is one reason we bought this van is for the AWD.

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

This vehicle is equipped with an all wheel drive system, which is necessary in our environment to climb icy or muddy hills to get to our house, or friends' houses, all on dirt roads. It's also very beneficial for driving on icy and slushy roads which are frequent around here. We have three vehicles, all AWD or 4wd. On the 2005 Pontiac Montana sv6, however, there appears to be a sensor on each wheel which is integral to the AWD system. This sensor is apparently easily obscured by ice, slush, or mud splashing up into the wheel wells, and when this happens the vehicle disables its all-wheel drive system, leaving the driver with a FWD vehicle, which can often be insufficient to handle conditions entered with an AWD vehicle. So far we've been stranded at the bottom of icy hills and narrowly averted two crash incidents due to the AWD system disabling when driving through slush puddles or mud. …

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loss of vehicle control without warning and the vehicle crashed into a highway barrier. The driver sustained minor injuries and there a police report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was deemed totaled. 8ak

Several times there has been strange noises from the back of the car. Reported but nothing done. Getting off an interstate and leaving the stop sign and pulling onto a state highway began to build speed but car started to wobble at about 40 MPH. Tried to stop but the car was all over the road. Coasted to stop. The bracket that holds the rear axle in place snapped. There was no rust, no other damage sighted. Snapped in the middle of the part. Reviewed by GMC representative and the garage. They replace the entire rear "axle" assmebly ad this occurred at interstate speeds, conditions were such that I beleive that the car would have rolled over. As I noted, it was impossible to control.

My family took our van on a week long vacation to florida while I stayed at home. Right after they left my wife called to say that the ABS light was on in the dash. I called a local mechanic to get an idea of how bad the problem might be and he indicated that it should not be too bad but get it looked at when they return from the trip. Upon her return my wife took it in the the dealership where we purchased the van and they replaced a bearing in the right rear axle hub area of the vehicle. Since the van had approximately 40,451 miles on it we were told that this fell outside of the miles covered by the manufacturer. Although, it was still within the 3-yrs of covered warranty just not covered by the miles we paid for the repair. Asked the dealership about this repair and they stated that this was normal wear for this part of the country and the types of roads in this area. …

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.