BRAKES LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA HAVE BEEN GOING OUT PERIODICALLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. AFTER REPLACING LIGHT HOUSING, BULBS AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT. AT ONE POINT WE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE MOISTURE BUILD UP, SO AFTER MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE HOUSING AGAIN,…
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BRAKES LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA HAVE BEEN GOING OUT PERIODICALLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. AFTER REPLACING LIGHT HOUSING, BULBS AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT. AT ONE POINT WE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE MOISTURE BUILD UP, SO AFTER MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE HOUSING AGAIN, HE DRILLS HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TO HELP DRAIN MOISTURE. THAT HAS SEEMED TO HELP IN ONE OF THE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE CONTINUE TO GO OUT ABOUT A DAY AFTER EVERY REPLACEMENT. MOST OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING HAS GONE OUT AS WELL AND THE SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619349
50,000 miles · May 31, 2008
Suspension
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP MY MESSAGE CENTER LIT UP WITH "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM," THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "TRAC LIGHT" CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE APPROX. 500.00 TO REPLACE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SENSOR IN IT IS BAD. I…
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ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP MY MESSAGE CENTER LIT UP WITH "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM," THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "TRAC LIGHT" CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE APPROX. 500.00 TO REPLACE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SENSOR IN IT IS BAD. I FIGURED THIS WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND DO THAT WAS A MECHANIC AS IT WAS ALOT CHEAPER. WE DID JUST THAT. WE WENT TO O'REILLYS AND BOUGHT A NEW HUB ASSEMBLY WITH THE SENSOR IN IT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR FRIEND WHO REPLACED IT. LATER THE VERY SAME DAY IT ALL CAME ON AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229398
78,000 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Suspension
I OWN A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. ON AUGUST 19TH, 2005 I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, THERE WERE 29,852 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE PONTIAC GARAGE IN ALTOONA PA SINE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2006 I HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLA…
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I OWN A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. ON AUGUST 19TH, 2005 I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, THERE WERE 29,852 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE PONTIAC GARAGE IN ALTOONA PA SINE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2006 I HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, THERE WERE 39,007 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE MONRO GARAGE ALSO IN ALTOONA AND PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. ON APRIL 1ST, 2008 I HAD TO HAVE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MILEAGE WAS 78,054. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DON'T GET MY REPAIRS DONE AT A GM GARAGE THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CASE NUMBER THEY ASSIGNED IS #71-618077441. I TALKED TO TWO INDIVIDUALS: PENNY MERCER 866-790-5600 EXT 12750 I THEN SPOKE TO SHERRY HICKEY WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS THE MANAGER. WHEEL BEARINGS IN TODAY'S VEHICLES NORMALLY HAVE A VERY LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY. TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM TWICE IN LESS THAN 80,000 MILES SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AT THE VERY LEAST WITH THIS VEHICLE POSSIBLY NATIONALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223805
2,500 miles · Dec 4, 2003
Power TrainSuspension
A BOUNCY WOBBLE OCCURS AT SPEED BETWEEN 30-55 MPH. A LURCH OCCURS AFTER BREAKING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ROLL. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN STATED AS BEING PRESENT BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEM. WE REFUSE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT SHAKES AND BOUNCES. AXLE PROBLEM, CV JOYCE PROBLEM, SUSPENSION HAVE BEEN …
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A BOUNCY WOBBLE OCCURS AT SPEED BETWEEN 30-55 MPH. A LURCH OCCURS AFTER BREAKING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ROLL. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN STATED AS BEING PRESENT BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEM. WE REFUSE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT SHAKES AND BOUNCES. AXLE PROBLEM, CV JOYCE PROBLEM, SUSPENSION HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED, BUT NOTHING DONE. *NLM
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 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.
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.
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.
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