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

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11 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2012

StructureVisibility

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2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WINDSHIELD *TGW LAST NOVEMBER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DIAGONALLY TOWARD THE LEFT LOWER CORNER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THE WINDSHIELD HAD RELEASED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROOF/GLASS OPENING WAS RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED BEFORE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE GLASS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN SPECIFYING THAT THE ROOF WAS TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE CONDITION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10462658

56,000 miles · Mar 20, 2006

Exterior LightingVisibility

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THERE ARE 2 MAIN SAFETY CONCERNS WITH MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA THUNDER MINIVAN. FIRST, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT. EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF BULB AND FUSE, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT WORK. FROM RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT AND A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! SECOND, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT WORK. AGAIN, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA PROBLEM, AND AGAIN, IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153220

37,000 miles · Oct 12, 2005

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP IN THE WINTER, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THEY ARE RECESSED DOWN TOO FAR AND RECEIVE NO HEAT FROM THE DEFROSTER TO KEEP THEM FROM FREEZING UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139386

20,000 miles · Apr 26, 2005

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SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2002 MONTANA MINI VAN AS A NEW VEHICLE ON 11-02-2001, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS A STARTLING, LOUD CRACKING NOISE WHICH OCCURRED RANDOMLY OVER THE FIRST TWO YEARS. SINCE THEN, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM; WATER STREAMS OUT OF CEILING-MOUNTED BOXES SUCH AS MY TEMPERATURE/COMPASS BOX AND THE ONSTAR ANTENNA. THE DEALER, PERFORMANCE PONTIAC WHICH THEN SOLD OUT TO ANDERSON GMC IN HUNT VALLEY, HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD SEAL TWICE, THE FIRST TIME DURING THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD. BOTH REPAIRS WERE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I JUST TOOK THE VAN IN FOR A THIRD TIME, AND THE DEALER NOW SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANY LEAK BUT WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT A CHARGE TO ME OF MORE THAN $300. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. I HAVE PUT UP WITH WATER LEAKING ALL OVER AS I'M DRIVING, DISCOLORED CEILING, AND A MUSTY SMELL FOR YEARS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118490

12,000 miles · Dec 27, 2004

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DURING COOL OR COLD MOIST DAYS WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER SYSTEM WILL ONLY CLEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ABOUT 50% OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NO FIX. I HAVE HAD THREE NEAR MISSES BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE A VEHICLE COMING FROM MY LEFT FRONT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104606

38,460 miles · Mar 9, 2004

Visibility

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ON HIGH SPEED. HOWEVER, WHEN ON A LOW SPEED WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DUE TO CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10061707

56,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10071146

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

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.

NHTSA ODI #10069671

22,575 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherVisibility

REAR DRIVER\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'S SIDE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED ABS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALSO DISABLE MY AWD SYTSTEM TWO DAYS AFTER GETTING THE ABS SENSOR FIXED MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AND HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS JUST TO GET TAHT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10069044

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2003

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PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE WINDOWS FOGGING UP. *MR THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHERE SHE FELT A DRAFT ON HER LEGS AND SET THE RECIRCULATION MODE TO INSIDE AIR AND SET THE BLOWER ON #TWO. ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL OF THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP. THE BLOWER WAS TURNED ON HIGH, THE DEFROSTER WERE TURNED ON WHICH CLEARED THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECIRCULATION MODE SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS THE TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY WARM AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON FRESH AIR MODE. (THIS WAS NOT STATED CLEARLY IN THE OWNERS MANUAL) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10046536

Official recalls

07V349000 · 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

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.