← New search

2003 Pontiac Montana

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Montana do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 22 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
73,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VALVE PULLED OUT OF ROCKER ARM MID 2008 ON #2 CAL COSTING APPROX 600.00 REPAIR AGAIN IN 2009 THE #3 CYL VALVE PULLED OUT EFFECTING ANOTHER REPAIR. THEN A WEEK LATER THE #5 CYL HAS QUIT FIRING. THIS IS THE 3400 OR 3.4 LITER ENGINE. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR IN THE GRAND AM OR GRAND PRIX…

Read full complaint

THE VALVE PULLED OUT OF ROCKER ARM MID 2008 ON #2 CAL COSTING APPROX 600.00 REPAIR AGAIN IN 2009 THE #3 CYL VALVE PULLED OUT EFFECTING ANOTHER REPAIR. THEN A WEEK LATER THE #5 CYL HAS QUIT FIRING. THIS IS THE 3400 OR 3.4 LITER ENGINE. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR IN THE GRAND AM OR GRAND PRIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266493

86,600 miles · Apr 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS TOLD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. OVER A THOUSAND DOLLAR FIX WITH RELIGIOUS OIL CHANGES AND COOLANT FLUSHES, SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE TALKED WITH MANY MONTANA OWNERS OF DIFFERENT YEARS AND ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CANNOT BE A SURPRISE! THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE... EVEN TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS SAI…

Read full complaint

WAS TOLD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. OVER A THOUSAND DOLLAR FIX WITH RELIGIOUS OIL CHANGES AND COOLANT FLUSHES, SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE TALKED WITH MANY MONTANA OWNERS OF DIFFERENT YEARS AND ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CANNOT BE A SURPRISE! THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE... EVEN TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS SAID THIS IS A "COMMON" ISSUE OF THE PONTIAC MONTANA. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE SURPRISED IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SOONER AND THERE WERE SIGNS IT WAS IN THE MAKING FOR AWHILE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! ITS NOT A CHEAP FIX! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264180

73,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

PROBLEM WITH LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BAD DEXCOOL. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT COVER REPAIR FOR VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255154

88,702 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 PONTIAC MONTANA 3.4L SERIES "E" ENGINE. 10/15/2007 85,342 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) STRIPED OUT OF THE 1,3,5 CYLINDER HEAD. HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED AT DEALER $1,500.00. DEALER SERVICE CENTER ALSO CHECKED 2,4,6 CYLINDER HEAD AND ROCKER ARM BOLTS, ALL OK. 11/10/2007 88,702 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) S…

Read full complaint

2003 PONTIAC MONTANA 3.4L SERIES "E" ENGINE. 10/15/2007 85,342 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) STRIPED OUT OF THE 1,3,5 CYLINDER HEAD. HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED AT DEALER $1,500.00. DEALER SERVICE CENTER ALSO CHECKED 2,4,6 CYLINDER HEAD AND ROCKER ARM BOLTS, ALL OK. 11/10/2007 88,702 MILES. ROCKER ARM BOLTS (8MM) STRIPED OUT OF THE 2,4,6 CYLINDER HEAD. AGAIN ON SAME VEHICLE HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER $1,500.00 THIS SITE AREADY SHOWS LOOSE OR STRIPPED BOLTS ON OTHER 2003 MONTANAS. I WONDER WHAT A CROSS REFERENCE OF GM 3.4L ENGINES SHOW UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248512

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING AT 60,000 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAVE HEARD THIS FROM MANY SOURCES AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING PROPOSED. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201961

85,400 miles · Aug 29, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED CAB. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE WAS SQUEALING, SHAKING, AND SQUEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS MISSING A CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE WAS LOOSE. THE ROCKER BOLT FELL OFF OF THE HEAD OF THE ROCKER ARM AND THE HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE INCREASED A…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED CAB. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE WAS SQUEALING, SHAKING, AND SQUEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS MISSING A CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE WAS LOOSE. THE ROCKER BOLT FELL OFF OF THE HEAD OF THE ROCKER ARM AND THE HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE INCREASED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-45MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 85,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10201129

62,000 miles · Dec 10, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. AFTER SERVICE WORK WAS PERFORMED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY ON FOR CYLINDER #3 WERE IN FACT STRIPPED AND FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. UPON DISCOVERING THIS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT CHECKING THE OTHER SIDE OF TH…

Read full complaint

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. AFTER SERVICE WORK WAS PERFORMED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY ON FOR CYLINDER #3 WERE IN FACT STRIPPED AND FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. UPON DISCOVERING THIS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT CHECKING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO BE PRUDENT. THERE WE ALSO FOUND ONE STRIPPED BOLT ON THE HEAD. THIS ENGINE HAD NEVER BEFORE BEEN APART. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND WERE SHOCKED THAT SUCH A MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AT 62,000 MILES ON A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE!!! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175727

45,499 miles · May 1, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS MY SECOND PONTIAC MINI VAN WITH A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE 1994 STARTED LEAKING AT 60K MILES,MY CURRENT VAN A 2003 IS LEAKING AT 45K MILES. IN MY 94 VAN THE ENGINE FAILED AT89K WITH RELIGIOUS OIL CHANGES AND COOLANT FLUSHES. MY MONTANA ALSO HAS HAD COOLANT AND OIL CHANGES OFTEN. I KNOW OF OTHERS WITH THE S…

Read full complaint

THIS IS MY SECOND PONTIAC MINI VAN WITH A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE 1994 STARTED LEAKING AT 60K MILES,MY CURRENT VAN A 2003 IS LEAKING AT 45K MILES. IN MY 94 VAN THE ENGINE FAILED AT89K WITH RELIGIOUS OIL CHANGES AND COOLANT FLUSHES. MY MONTANA ALSO HAS HAD COOLANT AND OIL CHANGES OFTEN. I KNOW OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156475

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE VEHICLES TURNS ITSELF OFF. WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS THE VEHICLE CHUGS AND THE RPM GAUGE DIVES DOWN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE KEY HAS BEEN RELEASED, THE STARTER CONTINUES TO CRANK ON ITS OWN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141101

30,000 miles · Mar 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING...AND GM KNOWS OF THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT OUT OF WARRANTY. MY COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUT AND THEY WOULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOW THEY REFUSE WITH 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE WARRANTY. AMAZING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112526

Official recalls

5

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.

03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 15, 2003

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. 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, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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

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.