IllustrationLOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP LEAKING DEXCOOL COOLANT. DEALER REPORTS OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING, AND BOTH VALVE COVERS LEAKING OIL. DON'T KNOW IF THESE OIL LEAKS ARE DUE TO GASKET & SEAL DAMAGE FROM DEXCOOL COOLANT. *LA
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
What owners actually said
235 reportsTRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, LATE AT TIMES. RADIO/CD SCREEN IS GARBLED LOOSE SRS CONNECTORS POWER LOCK PROBLEMS SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS *LA
THE TREADS SEPARATED ON ALL FOUR TIRES WITHIN 200 MILES OF EACH OTHER WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BLOW OUT. THE DATES OF OCCURRENCES: 8/5/2003, 8/9/2003, AND 8/10/2003. *AK *SCC *JB
VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT SEAT BACKS. THE PADDING WASN'T PROPERLY DESIGNED WHEN MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, SEAT COVER MATERIAL IS RIPPING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE BOX CONTAINING THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPOSED. ALSO, AT 33,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A LEAK AND DESTROYE…
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VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT SEAT BACKS. THE PADDING WASN'T PROPERLY DESIGNED WHEN MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, SEAT COVER MATERIAL IS RIPPING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE BOX CONTAINING THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPOSED. ALSO, AT 33,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A LEAK AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE MOTOR. *AK
THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE SEAT FRAME ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAD A PROTRUDING EDGE MADE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT ABOUT 7 INCHES AND IS VERY SHARP. THE METAL HAS TORE THROUGH THE MATERIAL OF THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE DEADLY IN A SIDE COLLISION. *NLM
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND RADIATOR SLUDE ON 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA AS A RESULT OF DEX-COOL COOLANT
I HAVE JUST TAKEN IN OUR 99 MONTANA AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE AN ENGINE GASKET LEAK. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND GASKET LEAK THE ENGINE HAS INCURRED. THE FIRST ONE WAS A HEAD GASKET AND THIS MOST RECENT GASKET IS A LOWER INTAKE. THE REASON THIS CONCERNS ME IS THAT I HAD A DEAR FRIEND HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE ISSUE WHERE HE HAD TO PULL …
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I HAVE JUST TAKEN IN OUR 99 MONTANA AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE AN ENGINE GASKET LEAK. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND GASKET LEAK THE ENGINE HAS INCURRED. THE FIRST ONE WAS A HEAD GASKET AND THIS MOST RECENT GASKET IS A LOWER INTAKE. THE REASON THIS CONCERNS ME IS THAT I HAD A DEAR FRIEND HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE ISSUE WHERE HE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED TO BE FRIDAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WHILE HE WENT OUT FOR REPAIRS HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE LOST HIS FIRST SON AND HIS SECOND SON HAD BRAIN DAMAGE. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LUCKY AS FAR AS CATCHING THESE GASKET ISSUES IN THEIR EARLY STAGES OF FAILURE. I COULD HAVE BEEN THAT GUY STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A GASKET THAT HAS FAILED, NOT ONCE BUT MAYBE TWICE. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAS A SERIOUS GASKET ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AND ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMER'S FAMILIES SAFETY. *JB
I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED WATER MISSING FROM COOLANT RECOVERY TANK. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GM DEALER. AFTER THEY TESTED IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1540.39. AF…
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I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED WATER MISSING FROM COOLANT RECOVERY TANK. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GM DEALER. AFTER THEY TESTED IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1540.39. AFTER DOING A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND HUNDREDS OF WEBSITES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED GM FOR ASSISTANCE AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FROM ANYONE ELSE. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN PONTIAC MONTANA'S IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY BOTH CALLED GM AND WERE GIVEN THE SAME STORY I WAS TOLD. WITH AS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE ENGINE/VEHICLE I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND PAY FOR THIS REPAIR.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING SUBFRAME FELL TO GROUND, CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
I TOOK MY 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT IS LEAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPAIRED SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. I HAVE 63,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT RATHER A FACTORY ASSEMBLY DEFECT OR POOR DESI…
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I TOOK MY 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT IS LEAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPAIRED SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. I HAVE 63,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT RATHER A FACTORY ASSEMBLY DEFECT OR POOR DESIGN. *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.