IllustrationREAR BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FAILED ALTOGETHER. *JB
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
What owners actually said
126 reportsINTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, PONTIAC MONTANA 2002, WITH A COST OF 700.00 PLUS. INFORMATION WAS SENT TO ALL G.M DEALERS OF THIS DEFECT,WITH NO RECALL TO REPAIR. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS STARTED IN CANADA FOR THIS DEFECT WITH MANY FAILURES OF THIS GASKET OR MANIFOLD ITSELF. WHAT CAN I DO? THIS HAS NOT…
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INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, PONTIAC MONTANA 2002, WITH A COST OF 700.00 PLUS. INFORMATION WAS SENT TO ALL G.M DEALERS OF THIS DEFECT,WITH NO RECALL TO REPAIR. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS STARTED IN CANADA FOR THIS DEFECT WITH MANY FAILURES OF THIS GASKET OR MANIFOLD ITSELF. WHAT CAN I DO? THIS HAS NOT FAILED YET BUT WILL, AS IT IS LEAKING NOW. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE ? *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, IT FELL OFF THE TOP AND BOTTOM TRACK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED AND IS MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
(1) BOUGHT VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. JUST BEFORE 32,000 MILES, THE A/C STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. THE CONDENSER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN IT. (2) VEHICLE NOW HAS ONLY ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT. ONCE AGAIN, A/C STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. DEALER IS TELLING US THAT CONDENSER HAS A LEAK AGA…
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(1) BOUGHT VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. JUST BEFORE 32,000 MILES, THE A/C STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. THE CONDENSER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN IT. (2) VEHICLE NOW HAS ONLY ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT. ONCE AGAIN, A/C STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. DEALER IS TELLING US THAT CONDENSER HAS A LEAK AGAIN. AS AN ASIDE, THE DEALER SAYS IF WE PAY FOR REPLACEMENT IT HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY, BUT PREVIOUS SERVICE UNDER VEHICLE-WARRANTY DOES NOT HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY... INCONSISTENT! *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, ON NEWLY PURCHASED SNOW TIRES, ROAD DEBRIS WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION AND ALL FOUR TIRES SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE SIDEWALL. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES WITH THE SAME BRAND, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE ROUGHLY. WHILE THE VEHICLE W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, ON NEWLY PURCHASED SNOW TIRES, ROAD DEBRIS WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION AND ALL FOUR TIRES SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE SIDEWALL. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES WITH THE SAME BRAND, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE ROUGHLY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 50MPH, IT RODE AS IF THE TIRES WERE UNEVEN. AT THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED BUBBLES ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES WERE RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE TRADED FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE TIRES ARE MADE OF RECYCLED MATERIAL AND ARE MANUFACTURED BY GREEN DIAMOND. THE TIRE SIZE IS 215/70/R15.
THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SEAT COMES UNLATCHED WITHOUT ANY CAUSE OR WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE SEAT BELT IS CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED EACH TIME IT IS LATCHED AND IT PASSES AS BEING LATCHED. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SEAT BELT LATCH RELEASES THE SEAT BELT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED FROM THE …
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THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SEAT COMES UNLATCHED WITHOUT ANY CAUSE OR WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE SEAT BELT IS CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED EACH TIME IT IS LATCHED AND IT PASSES AS BEING LATCHED. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SEAT BELT LATCH RELEASES THE SEAT BELT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED FROM THE ROAD. GENERAL MOTORS AND ITS DEALER DO NOT THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM THEREFORE WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT OR ITS COMPONETS TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. *JB
REAR BRAKES, REVERSE AND TURNING LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTS OUT LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH NON WORKING LIGHTS IN THE REAR. IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT SINCE I SEE MANY VEHICLES ON THE ROAD USING THE SAME LIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
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!!!…
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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
CORROSION INSIDE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY HAS CAUSED BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. ONLY CENTER BRAKE LIGHT BAR IS FUNCTIONAL. *NM
MY VAN ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ON IT, I HAVE ONLY PURCHASED GM VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS SO EARLY IN THE MILEAGE. MY REPAIR MAN IS TELLING ME HE IS SEEING THIS MORE AND MORE IN 02 MONTANA'S AND IT WILL COST OVER $900.00 TO REPAIR. WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS?*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.