IllustrationMIDDLE BUCKET SEATS RECLINE ALL THE WAY BACK - THIS WOULD ALLOW A PASSENGER TO SLIDE UNDER THE SEAT BELT. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
2000 Pontiac Montana
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Montana years
Owner complaints for the 2000 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
40–25K
2325–50K
3350–75K
1875–100K
14100–150K
16150K+
108 reports with mileage · 120 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports4 fire reports22 injury reports
Seats complaints
3 reportsFRONT ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR SEATS HAD ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOME LOOSE W/O WARNING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND REAR SEATS WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. ONE PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEATS AT THAT MOMENT, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID INJURY. THE EFFECT OF THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO CONSUMER'S CHILDERN THAT SIT IN SAFETY SEATS OR …
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FRONT ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR SEATS HAD ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOME LOOSE W/O WARNING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND REAR SEATS WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. ONE PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEATS AT THAT MOMENT, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID INJURY. THE EFFECT OF THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO CONSUMER'S CHILDERN THAT SIT IN SAFETY SEATS OR TO ANY OTHER PASSENGER. *AK
WE PURCHASED THE PONTIAC MONTANA AS A FAMILY VEHICLE. WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND ANOTHER BABY DUE IN MAY. WE DISCOVERED, AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VAN, THAT THE REAR BUCKET SEATS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT SAFELY RESTRAIN A CHILD SEAT. WE CONSULTED THE PA STATE POLICE (TROOPER DANIEL WHITE) ABO…
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WE PURCHASED THE PONTIAC MONTANA AS A FAMILY VEHICLE. WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND ANOTHER BABY DUE IN MAY. WE DISCOVERED, AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VAN, THAT THE REAR BUCKET SEATS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT SAFELY RESTRAIN A CHILD SEAT. WE CONSULTED THE PA STATE POLICE (TROOPER DANIEL WHITE) ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THE SEAT BELT SHAFT IS TOO FAR FORWARD TO SAFELY HARNESS THE SEAT IN PLACE. HE SAID THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW OF CHILD SEAT THAT WOULD SAFELY WORK IN THIS VAN. HE SAID THAT OUR DAUGHTER COULD DIE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE WAY THE CHILD SEAT FITS IN THE VAN. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID WE COULD PURCHASE NEW SEATS WITH BUILT IN CHILD RESTRAINTS. WE DO NOT WISH TO DO THIS BECAUSE OUR NEW BABY STILL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RIDE IN THOSE CHILD RESTRAINTS UNTIL HE/SHE IS AT LEAST A YEAR OLD. PLUS, WE DO NOT AGREE THAT WE SOULD PAY FOR NEW SEATS SINCE IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS OUR INTENTION THAT THIS WOULD BE A FAMILY VEHICLE AND WE WILL HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD ORDER US A SEAT BELT EXTENSION BUT, TROOPER WHITE DOES NOT THINK THAT WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEM. THAT SAID, OUR REAL PURPOSE FOR WRITING THIS TO YOU IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOME WAY TO LET OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE DROVE AROUND FOR 2 WEEKS BEFORE WE REALIZED THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE FEEL IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THERE ARE PARENTS OUT THERE WITH THIS VAN, WITH CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THEM, AND THEY DO NOT REALIZE THEY ARE NOT SAFELY INSTALLED. WE DO NOT WANT ANY CHILDREN TO BE INJURED OR WORSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT THE PONTIAC PEOPLE SHOULD REALIZE THAT PEOPLE BUY VANS AS FAMILY VEHICLES AND MOST OFTEN INSTALL CHILD RESTRAINTS IN THEM. WE THINK THAT THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO RESTRUCTURE THE REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM SO THAT CHILD SAFTY SEATS CAN BE USED. IT IS OUR SINCERE HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED.*
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.
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.
00V228003 · Seat Belts
Aug 7, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
99V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS WITH EXTENDED WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INOPERATIVE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVES AND FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD EXCEED THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT IN A ROLLOVER TEST. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO LOCATE AND REPLACE THOSE FUEL TANKS THAT COULD HAVE INOPERATIVE ROLLOVER VALVES.
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
4PE04064 · 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.
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
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