Illustration2002 MONTANA GASKET WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*MR TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON THE MINIVAN. HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER SMALLER REPAIRS, WHICH CONSUMER BELIEVE WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER ERROR. *BF
2002 Pontiac Montana
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Montana do not stand out strongly from 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
120–25K
1525–50K
3050–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
5150K+
86 reports with mileage · 40 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
24 reportsCONTACT STATES: 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTEANCE, OIL CHANGE, ETC. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THEY AGREED TO PAY $200.00 FOR PARTS. CONTACT FELT THAT GENERAL MOTORS S…
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CONTACT STATES: 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTEANCE, OIL CHANGE, ETC. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THEY AGREED TO PAY $200.00 FOR PARTS. CONTACT FELT THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTIRE BILL. LABOR COST WAS $460.10. *AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE GASKET. *JB
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. INTERNAL LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE OIL. ALSO, THE REAR BEARING REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES. *AK
ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING A LOW SPEED ON THREE SEPERATE TIMES. FIRST TIME WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT TURN AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE TO GREEN. THE SAME THING HAPPEND A SECOND TIME AS I PULL INTO A GAS STATION. THIS THIRD TIME HAPPEND AS I WAS LOOKING FOR PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING LOT. IN AL…
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ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING A LOW SPEED ON THREE SEPERATE TIMES. FIRST TIME WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT TURN AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE TO GREEN. THE SAME THING HAPPEND A SECOND TIME AS I PULL INTO A GAS STATION. THIS THIRD TIME HAPPEND AS I WAS LOOKING FOR PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING LOT. IN ALL THREE TIME, THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND AFTER RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER SHIFT TO PARK. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER EACH INCIDENT AS THERE ARE NO FAULT CODE. *AK
RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REFILLED WITH COOLANT EVERY WEEK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *AK
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 A…
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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.
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. INTERNAL LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE OIL.
PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION STARTING BY OVER HEATING LOOK LIKE A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM BUT IS NOT. HEAD GASKET FAIL AND GAS FROM THE CYLINDERS ESCAPE TO THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE CAUSING TO OVER HEAT AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
ASSISTANCE (TIS REQUEST TIS03-007115 DGD CLOSED).*MR VEHICLE HAD URINE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE COOLANT WENT BAD AND LEAKED INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THEY REMOVED THE A/C, HEAT UNIT, VENT AND DUCTS BUT THE SMELL RETURNED. CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOUR …
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ASSISTANCE (TIS REQUEST TIS03-007115 DGD CLOSED).*MR VEHICLE HAD URINE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE COOLANT WENT BAD AND LEAKED INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THEY REMOVED THE A/C, HEAT UNIT, VENT AND DUCTS BUT THE SMELL RETURNED. CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOUR DAYS LATER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM THEY'VE EXPERIENCED IS A NATIONWIDE DEFECT WITH THAT VEHICLE. *PH *JB
Official recalls
307V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Aug 8, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.
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.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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
1PE04064 · 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.