IllustrationDRIVER'S SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG ALSO CAME OUT OF THE SEAT. NLM
1999 Pontiac Montana
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Montana years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Montana are substantially higher than the model-year median of 65.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Montana years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
1925–50K
4550–75K
1875–100K
13100–150K
5150K+
105 reports with mileage · 130 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports
Structure complaints
22 reportsMY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VAN. SHE HAD JUST PUT THE BABY IN THE CAR SEAT , WALKED AROUND TO GET IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE DOOR FELL OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND SHE WAS PARKED. THE PART INSIDE MISSED THE BABY. IF SHE HAD BEEN TRAVELING THE BABY COULD OF BEEN HURT . THE PONTICAC DEALER SAID CONTACT A…
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MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VAN. SHE HAD JUST PUT THE BABY IN THE CAR SEAT , WALKED AROUND TO GET IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE DOOR FELL OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND SHE WAS PARKED. THE PART INSIDE MISSED THE BABY. IF SHE HAD BEEN TRAVELING THE BABY COULD OF BEEN HURT . THE PONTICAC DEALER SAID CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OURSELVES. TO ME THIS IS A DEFECT. I MEAN HOW MANY DOORS FALL OFF? WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE HELP! WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE?*AK
SUSPENSION SYSTEM COULD NOT SUPPORT 7 PASSENGERS + LUGGAGE + FUEL, WITHOUT EXCESSIVE BOUNCING, CAUSING A REDUCTION OF SPEED (10-15MPH) BELOW POSTED SPEED LIMITS. REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FULLY ENGAGING, CAUSING UNSAFE STOPPING, ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. REAR BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED MANUALLY TO IMPROVE BRAKING, BUT PEDDLE IS STILL SOFT. T…
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SUSPENSION SYSTEM COULD NOT SUPPORT 7 PASSENGERS + LUGGAGE + FUEL, WITHOUT EXCESSIVE BOUNCING, CAUSING A REDUCTION OF SPEED (10-15MPH) BELOW POSTED SPEED LIMITS. REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FULLY ENGAGING, CAUSING UNSAFE STOPPING, ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. REAR BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED MANUALLY TO IMPROVE BRAKING, BUT PEDDLE IS STILL SOFT. THE GSVWR IS NOT GREAT ENOUGH FOR VEHICAL CAPAITY. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A DRY-WEIGHT RATING. MUD FLAPS BOTH FRONT & REAR WERE WORN OFF EXCESSIVILY, DUE TO BONCING. SOMETIMES IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOOSING CONTROL. ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE CHECKED BY DEALER AFTER RETURN FROM VACATION, BUT VAN STILL EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE BOUNCING AND BOTTOMING OUT, EVEN WITH ONLY TWO PASSENGERS AND NO LUGGAGE. AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70MPH, THE VAN WOULD DOWN-SHIFT AT EVERY OVERPASS, AND SLIGHT HEADWIND, DURING TRIP ACROSS THE DESERT ON I-70 TO S.L.C., UT. THERE IS NO HD SUSPENSION PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE, WHICH SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, IF ONE WANTS TO TOW A BOAT. BY THE WAY, A REDUCTION IN PASSENGERS IS REQUIRED, IF A BOAT IS TOWED (300 LBS DRAW-BAR WT) AND 3500 LBS TOW WT. THIS IS A VERY UNDER-RATED. NLM
THE FRAME HAD 4 BREAKS WHICH 2 OCCURRED SOME TIME AGO/RUSTY/3RD BREAK ESTIMATED 2/15/02 AND FINAL BREAK 2/16/02. I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND CAUSED BY MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*AK
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01013 FOR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR. THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. CORNFORTH-CAMPBALL PO B0X 537 PUYALLUP WA 98371 206 845 8881 TOLL FREE 1800 573 8881. *AK
WATER LEAK WILL CONTINUE CAUSING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH WIRING LOCATED UNDER FLOOR. *AK
THE SLIDING DOOR OPENS BY ITSELF AT ANY TIME. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE THE CHILD OPENED THE SLIDING DOOR, CHILD'S HAND GOT STUCK IN THE LOCK, CAUSING THE CHILD TO SLIDE DOWN AND SUSTAIN IINJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK PE04064.PCO
ON APRIL 17, 1999, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO ENGAGE HIS SEATBELT PROPERLY, AND IT PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND WOULDN'T GO BACK IN. ON APRIL 29, 1999, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LET MY KIDS OUT WITH THE POWER DOOR, MY SON TRIED TO CLOSE IT WITH THE POWER SWITCH, IT WOULDN'T CLOSE, SO HE TRIED TO CLOSE IT MANUALLY, AND IT WOULDN'T BUD…
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ON APRIL 17, 1999, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO ENGAGE HIS SEATBELT PROPERLY, AND IT PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND WOULDN'T GO BACK IN. ON APRIL 29, 1999, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, LET MY KIDS OUT WITH THE POWER DOOR, MY SON TRIED TO CLOSE IT WITH THE POWER SWITCH, IT WOULDN'T CLOSE, SO HE TRIED TO CLOSE IT MANUALLY, AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TRIED TO CLOSE IT MANUALLY, AND COULDN'T. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET IT CLOSED, BUT THE POWER STILL DIDN'T WORK.
THE REAR POWER DOOR OPENS ON COMMAND,CLOSES ON COMMAND THAN OPENS BY ITS SELF. IT WILL CLOSE ON COMMAND AGAIN , SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY CLOSED, OTHER TIMES IT WILL OPEN AGAIN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DOOR TRIED TO OPEN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY, BEING THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY,THE DOOR BECOMES AJAR. YOU THEN HAV…
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THE REAR POWER DOOR OPENS ON COMMAND,CLOSES ON COMMAND THAN OPENS BY ITS SELF. IT WILL CLOSE ON COMMAND AGAIN , SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY CLOSED, OTHER TIMES IT WILL OPEN AGAIN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DOOR TRIED TO OPEN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY, BEING THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY,THE DOOR BECOMES AJAR. YOU THEN HAVE TO STOP....PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK....OPEN THE DOOR ...CLOSE THE DOOR..HOPING THE DOOR WILL STAY CLOSED. *AK
Official recalls
504V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 22, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
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 APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
02V027000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jan 25, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Aug 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Mar 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
99V071000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Apr 12, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS. THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT FRONT LOWER INSULATOR TO CRADLE CENTER METAL SLEEVE IS COLLAPSED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD IN THE JOINT. IF THE CLAMP LOAD IS REDUCED OR LOST, THE BOLT CAN BE LOST OR BROKEN AND THE JOINT CAN SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT REPAIRED, SEPARATION OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE JOINT COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CRADLE-TO-SUSPENSION INSULATORS AND THE ATTACHING BOLTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body: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 CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
EA01014 · Air Bag Inflator
Opened Jun 11, 2001 · Closed Aug 26, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
PE00045 · Air Bag Tear During Deployment
Opened Nov 3, 2000 · Closed Jan 11, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
RQ00006 · Traction Control
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.