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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

31 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2004
StructureInjury

I READ OF YOUR INVESTIGATION IN AUTOMOTIVE NEWS. MY 12 YR OLD DAUGHTER'S WRIST WAS BROKEN LAST SUMMER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR OF OUR 2000 MONTANA. SHE GRABBED THE HANDLE FROM INSIDE AND AS THE DOOR MOVED OPEN IT BENT HER WRIST BACKWARD. IT DIDN'T STOP, DESPITE THE RESISTANCE. IT WAS BROKEN IN THE GROWTH PLATE AND D…

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I READ OF YOUR INVESTIGATION IN AUTOMOTIVE NEWS. MY 12 YR OLD DAUGHTER'S WRIST WAS BROKEN LAST SUMMER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR OF OUR 2000 MONTANA. SHE GRABBED THE HANDLE FROM INSIDE AND AS THE DOOR MOVED OPEN IT BENT HER WRIST BACKWARD. IT DIDN'T STOP, DESPITE THE RESISTANCE. IT WAS BROKEN IN THE GROWTH PLATE AND DID NOT REQUIRE A CAST BUT WAS SPLINTED FOR 2 WEEKS. *JB PE04064.PCO

NHTSA ODI #10093108

68,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Structure

DRIVER SIDE REAR STRUT/SHOCK MOUNT, PART OF THE INNER WHEELHOUSE ASSY., RUSTED AT A WELD AND CRACKED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A LONG TIME. THE CRACK IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY DOWN THE CRACK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS UNTIL THE RIPPED PART STARTS WHERE THE PART FINALLY FAILED. THEN IT RIPP…

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DRIVER SIDE REAR STRUT/SHOCK MOUNT, PART OF THE INNER WHEELHOUSE ASSY., RUSTED AT A WELD AND CRACKED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A LONG TIME. THE CRACK IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY DOWN THE CRACK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS UNTIL THE RIPPED PART STARTS WHERE THE PART FINALLY FAILED. THEN IT RIPPED OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. VAN HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, BODY SHOP THAT FIXED IT SAID THE SAME THING. AFTER THREE MONTHS AND MANY PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALER (S) WE HAVE FINALLY GOT IT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE CALLING IT A PRODUCT LIABILITY. TOOK A GM REP. TO TAKE THE TIME TO COME AND SEE IT. ORIGINALLY THEY DID NOT BOTHER SINCE THEY WERE ORIGINALLY CALLING IT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND WERE BLOWING US OFF. THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL HOWEVER. AFTER HE LOOKED AT IT HE REOPENED THE CASE, BUT THEY DONT SEAM TO BE VERY HELPFUL AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ORGANIZING THIS WHOLE THING. AND NO ONE THERE RETURNS PHONE CALLS. I HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL PICTURES, AND STILL HAVE THE PART. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10062449

43,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS, MOST NOTABLE RECENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR FEEL OFF AT 45000 MILES. GM WON'T PAY, IT'S NOT "UNDER WARRANTY". THIS DOOR HAS HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH HITTING THE FRONT DOOR UPON CLOSING. REPAIR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BUT OBVIOUSLY INEFFECTUAL DUE TO EVIDENCE OF CH…

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THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS, MOST NOTABLE RECENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR FEEL OFF AT 45000 MILES. GM WON'T PAY, IT'S NOT "UNDER WARRANTY". THIS DOOR HAS HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH HITTING THE FRONT DOOR UPON CLOSING. REPAIR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BUT OBVIOUSLY INEFFECTUAL DUE TO EVIDENCE OF CHIPPED PAINT AT THE SITE WHERE DORS COLLIDE. COULD THIS HAVE PRECIPITATED THE DOOR FALLING OFF? SUPPOSEDLY THEIR WAS AN ADJUSTMENT MADE, COULD THIS ADJUSTMENT BEEN MADE INCORRECTLY TO DAMAGE THE DOOR? I FEEL IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS DOOR HAS FALLEN OFF MY CAR AT 45000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10069605

49,360 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Power TrainStructure

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND MOLDING STRIPS ON SLIDING DOORS.*MR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 49360 MILES THE SOLENOID WENT OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION COSTING $914.04 IN REPAIRS. ON EACH SLIDING DOOR, THERE WAS A LONG BLACK RUBBER MOLDING STRIP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR FRAME THAT KEPT FALLING DOWN IN TO THE DOOR TRACK. THE CONSUM…

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PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND MOLDING STRIPS ON SLIDING DOORS.*MR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 49360 MILES THE SOLENOID WENT OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION COSTING $914.04 IN REPAIRS. ON EACH SLIDING DOOR, THERE WAS A LONG BLACK RUBBER MOLDING STRIP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR FRAME THAT KEPT FALLING DOWN IN TO THE DOOR TRACK. THE CONSUMER HOPED THAT THE DEALERSHIP CAN RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE VEHICLES, BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD RESULT IN A TRAGEDY. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034518

23,800 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Seat BeltsStructure

THE LEFT FRONT PRETENSIONER WAS OPEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY SEAT BELT TENSIONER. *TS. ALSO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR DID NOT RETURN WHEN IT WAS OPENED

NHTSA ODI #10026194

29,885 miles · Jul 2, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

PROBLEMS WITH PAINT, GASKETS, BRAKES AND COOLING SYSTEM. *MR THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE WHICH HAD COME FROM THE TIRE AREA DUE TO MISALIGNMENT, LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE GASKETS ,OIL PUMP AND DRIVE O-RING WERE REPLACED, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHICH HAPPENED MORE THAN TWICE AND S…

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PROBLEMS WITH PAINT, GASKETS, BRAKES AND COOLING SYSTEM. *MR THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE WHICH HAD COME FROM THE TIRE AREA DUE TO MISALIGNMENT, LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE GASKETS ,OIL PUMP AND DRIVE O-RING WERE REPLACED, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHICH HAPPENED MORE THAN TWICE AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO WORK AT ALL AND HAD TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO BRING THE PEDAL BACK ENOUGH TO ALLOW STOPPING. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE THE CONSUMER HAD TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER HAD COME ON. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES. OTHER PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE TRIM ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD HAD COME APART, THE HANDLE ON THE BACK LATCH HAD COME OFF, AND BOTH TURN SIGNAL BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026606

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Structure

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR HAS SENSOR THAT FAILED TO RESPOND IF OCCUPANT WAS NOT CLEAR OF CLOSING. THIS ALLOWED DOOR TO CONTINUOUSLY CLOSE EVEN WITH PRESSURE APPLIED BY OWNER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8013547

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Structure

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SLIDING DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE KEEPS COMING OPEN, WILL NOT LATCH. DEALER CONTACTED , CAN NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8010792

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2002
StructureInjury

CONSUMER'S HAND GOT CAUGHT IN THE HANDLE OF THE SLIDING DOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER'S WRIST TO TWIST AND BREAK. ONCE THE DOOR HAS STARTED TO OPEN THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP IT FROM OPENING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK PE04064.PCO

NHTSA ODI #8004446

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Structure

ELECTRONIC DOOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE OPENED AND CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003133

Official recalls

5

04V597000 · 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

4

PE04064 · 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