I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN FINE USING THE POWER SWITCH. BUT ROLLING IT UP IS A PROBLEM. IT ROLLS UP CROOKED AND IS SLOW. HAD TO GRAB THE GLASS BY MY HAND AND HELP. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND WE REPLACED THE SLIDER FOR THE GLASS, THE OLD ONE LOOKED LOOSE AT THE JOINTS THAT SWIVEL. THE NEW…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN FINE USING THE POWER SWITCH. BUT ROLLING IT UP IS A PROBLEM. IT ROLLS UP CROOKED AND IS SLOW. HAD TO GRAB THE GLASS BY MY HAND AND HELP. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND WE REPLACED THE SLIDER FOR THE GLASS, THE OLD ONE LOOKED LOOSE AT THE JOINTS THAT SWIVEL. THE NEW MECHANISM WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND IS NOW ACTING THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. SLOW AND CROOKED RISE. WE DID NOT CHANGE THE MOTOR, JUST THE TRACK HARDWARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365210
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2008
StructureVisibility
DRIVERS WINDOW STICKS AND IS FALLING OUT. THIS SAME THING IS HAPPENING ON COMPANY VAN AND CO-WORKER WITH THE SAME STYLE VEHICLE. WINDOW IN COMPANY VAN HAS HAD NEW MECHANISM AND WINDOW TRIM REPLACED AND IS DOING IT AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220118
48,700 miles · Dec 23, 2006
Visibility
THE WIPERS ON OUR 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH ROUGHLY 48000 MILES, STARTED MOVING SLOWLY EVEN WHEN SET IN THE FASTEST WIPER SETTING. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE THAT REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. WIPERS WERE STILL SLOW. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER ON 10/4/06. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND GREASED THE MECHANICAL ARMS (…
Read full complaint
THE WIPERS ON OUR 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH ROUGHLY 48000 MILES, STARTED MOVING SLOWLY EVEN WHEN SET IN THE FASTEST WIPER SETTING. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE THAT REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. WIPERS WERE STILL SLOW. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER ON 10/4/06. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND GREASED THE MECHANICAL ARMS (WIPER TRANSMISSION). A FEW DAYS LATER IN A DRIVING RAIN THE WIPERS STOPPED MOVING COMPLETELY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE GM DEALER 10/16/06. THEY REPLACED THE WIPER TRANSMISSION AND WIPER MOTOR FOR A BILL IN EXCESS OF $1000. THE WIPER TRANSMISSION WAS BINDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE STEM THAT THE WIPER ARM ATTACHES TO. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176862
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2003
Visibility
VENTILATION SYSTEM BLOWS AIR INTO CABIN THROUGH INSTURMENT-LEVEL DASHBOARD VENTS, EVEN WHEN FAN IS OFF AND VEHICLE STATIONARY, AND EVEN WHEN FAN IS ON BUT DIRECTED TO FOOT ONLY OR DEFROSTER ONLY. PONTIAC DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND PONTIAC NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. …
Read full complaint
VENTILATION SYSTEM BLOWS AIR INTO CABIN THROUGH INSTURMENT-LEVEL DASHBOARD VENTS, EVEN WHEN FAN IS OFF AND VEHICLE STATIONARY, AND EVEN WHEN FAN IS ON BUT DIRECTED TO FOOT ONLY OR DEFROSTER ONLY. PONTIAC DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND PONTIAC NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SHUT OFF THE FLOW FROM THE MIDDLE (OVER THE RADIO) VENTS. TEHRE IS A "WHEEL" TO BLOCK THE FLOW TO THE CENTER-LEFT AND CENTER-RIGHT VENTS ABOVE THE RADIO, BUT NO SUCH CONTROL FOR THE CENTER-CENTER VENT--IT ONLY ADJUSTS UP/DOWN. THIS IS CAUSING DISCOMFORT BUT ABOVE ALL CAN DRY EYES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT MAKES NO SENSE. EVEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT IT WAS A DEFECT. HE CHANGED HIS MIND WHEN HE FOUND THE SAME CONDITION ON OTHER 2003 MONTANA ON LOT. I SUBMIT THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND MAY REFLECT A DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT HAS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. PLEASE NOTE THAT RECIRUCLATE IS DESIGNED NOT TO WORK IN ALL MODES EITHER.
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.
2003 Pontiac Montana Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration