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 reports
50,000 miles · Dec 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE REAR SEATS, WHERE THESE DOORS ARE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE REAR SEATS, WHERE THESE DOORS ARE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10144836
37,000 miles · Oct 12, 2005
Visibility
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
38,000 miles · Aug 17, 2005
Electrical System
ON VERY HOT DAYS, CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. AFTER CAR IS AT OPERATING TEMP. SOMETINES IT STARTS AFTER SETTING FOR 5 MINUTES, LAST TIME HAD TO WAIT OVER 3 HOURS. AAA DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM EITHER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10133193
54,347 miles · Jul 31, 2005
Tires
UPON WASHING MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN TODAY, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GENERAL XP2000 GT - P215/70R15) HAS APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES OF SIDEWALL SEPARATION. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS TO WORK EACH DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED THIS IF I HAD NOT BEEN WASHING MY TIRES. MY HUSBAND INSPECTS THE TREAD AND …
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UPON WASHING MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN TODAY, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GENERAL XP2000 GT - P215/70R15) HAS APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES OF SIDEWALL SEPARATION. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS TO WORK EACH DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED THIS IF I HAD NOT BEEN WASHING MY TIRES. MY HUSBAND INSPECTS THE TREAD AND AIR FREQUENTLY. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO ME OR ANY OF MY FOUR CHILDREN HAD THIS GONE UNDETECTED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LAST FALL FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. MY HUSBAND SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE TIRES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GM CERTIFIED AND HAD AT LEAST 50,000 MILES WORTH OF WEAR LEFT ON THEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10130703
51,000 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Exterior Lighting
BACK TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS ALLOW WATER TO RUN INTO THEM CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS IN RAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10129496
55,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Exterior Lighting
STOP LAMP BULBS ARE SHORTING OUT AT CONNECTOR TO SOCKETS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SO FAR. TWICE ON THE LEFT SIDE AND ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE RESULT IS A MELTED BASE ON OEM BULBS WITH PLASTIC BASES AND AN INOERABLE BRAKE LIGHT. FREQUENT FAILURES OF STOP LAMPS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THREE BU…
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STOP LAMP BULBS ARE SHORTING OUT AT CONNECTOR TO SOCKETS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SO FAR. TWICE ON THE LEFT SIDE AND ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE RESULT IS A MELTED BASE ON OEM BULBS WITH PLASTIC BASES AND AN INOERABLE BRAKE LIGHT. FREQUENT FAILURES OF STOP LAMPS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THREE BULBS, CLEANED AND FILED THE CONTACTS, APPLIED DIELECTRIC GREASE, AND USED BULBS WITH GLASS BASES. ONE OF THE PLASTIC BASE BULBS IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF CONTAMINATION FROM MOISTURE OR OTHER SOURCES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN COLD CLIMATE OR HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10124158
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2005
Air Bags
WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START MY VAN, THE PASSENGER SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAD BEEN STAYING ON FOR A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE INCIDENT AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10122410
40,000 miles · May 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: ABS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SAID THE SENSOR AND ROD THAT ENGAGES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAD CORRODED. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER CONSUMER'S WARRANTY. THE ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $225.0…
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DT: ABS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SAID THE SENSOR AND ROD THAT ENGAGES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAD CORRODED. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER CONSUMER'S WARRANTY. THE ESTIMATED COST IS OVER $225.00. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET AND CONSUMER HAS NO ANTILOCK BRAKES JUST REGULAR BRAKES. *TT UPDATED 11/16/2005 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10122033
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2002 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
NHTSA ODI #10121578
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 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
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.
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.
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
1
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.
2002 Pontiac Montana Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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