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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

What owners actually said

84 reports
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury

Van crashed with damage to the front when it ran off the road and went into a culvert/ditch and air bags did not deploy resulting in paralyzation of the wife of the owner after van had been apparently donated to Charity Cars as junk vehicle or salvage vehicle. Vehicle was apparently repaired by towing company and offered for…

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Van crashed with damage to the front when it ran off the road and went into a culvert/ditch and air bags did not deploy resulting in paralyzation of the wife of the owner after van had been apparently donated to Charity Cars as junk vehicle or salvage vehicle. Vehicle was apparently repaired by towing company and offered for sale at at a used car dealership in Zanesville, Ohio. The passenger side lower dashboard had a white wire hanging down which may have been connected to a defective replacement airbag. I am an attorney representing the owner and the owner's wife. Black box was analyzed in 2019, but not with the latest program.

NHTSA ODI #11465536

2,360,000 miles · Nov 11, 2018
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND HIT A TRUCK BROADSIDE. I ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. NOT ONLY WAS MY SEATBELT INEFFECTIVE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. I DID SUSTAIN CHEST INJURY. IRAN A STOP SIGN IN TOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11150848

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2018
Steering

WHILE IN A STATIONARY MODE AFTER PARKING TO GET AIR FOR MY TIRES, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES WITH ASSISTANCE TO UNLOCK, THIS I FEEL IS UNSAFE WITH THE CLIMATE OF THE WORLD TODAY, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET IN YOUR VEHICLE TURN IT ON AND BE ON YOUR WAY. NO IMAGE OR DOCUMENT TO UPLOAD JUST FRUSTRATION.

NHTSA ODI #11084525

216,000 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE DEALER (STOOPS BUICK GMC, 1251 QUAKER BLVD, PLAINFIELD, IN, 46168, 317-839-7771) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE DEALER (STOOPS BUICK GMC, 1251 QUAKER BLVD, PLAINFIELD, IN, 46168, 317-839-7771) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 216,000.

NHTSA ODI #11011944

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CHECK THE AIRBAGS SOMETHING WITH BRAKE LIGHT AN ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ODI #10891511

149,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07349000 GM RECALL #06230 MY VAN IS LEAKING GAS AT THE INLET VALVE AND I SEE IS RECALLED AND CAUSE A FIRE. I NEED TO KNOW HOW I GET THIS RECAL FIXED ASAP. HAVE CHILDREN AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VAN OR LETTING THE CHILDREN RIDE IN MY VAN. SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE THROUGHOT VEHICLE AND YOU CA…

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TAKATA RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07349000 GM RECALL #06230 MY VAN IS LEAKING GAS AT THE INLET VALVE AND I SEE IS RECALLED AND CAUSE A FIRE. I NEED TO KNOW HOW I GET THIS RECAL FIXED ASAP. HAVE CHILDREN AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VAN OR LETTING THE CHILDREN RIDE IN MY VAN. SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE THROUGHOT VEHICLE AND YOU CAN SEE THE CRACK AT THE INLET VALVE.

NHTSA ODI #10860112

128,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WE HAVE TO KEPT CHANGING THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING OUT EVER FEW WEEKS. WE EVEN WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW STOP SIGNAL SWITCH BUT THAT WASN'T IT. WE WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE WIRING AND WHY THEY KEEP GOING OUT. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE WE BOUGHT IN JUNE 2014. WE ARE J…

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WE HAVE TO KEPT CHANGING THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING OUT EVER FEW WEEKS. WE EVEN WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW STOP SIGNAL SWITCH BUT THAT WASN'T IT. WE WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE WIRING AND WHY THEY KEEP GOING OUT. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE WE BOUGHT IN JUNE 2014. WE ARE JUST TIRED OF KEEP POURING MONEY INTO IT BUT I DON'T WANT AN ACCIDENT OR TO GET PULL OVER EITHER. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT NEVER HAS AN ISSUE IS THE BRAKE BAR ON TOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679563

106,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Air Bags

BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS(INSIDE SEAT) DEPLOYED WITHOUT A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR COLLISION.. BOTH MY WIFE AND I WERE STRUCK WITH THE AIRBAGS. OUR 4 CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. NONE OF THEM WERE STRUCK DIRECTLY BUT THE NOISE INVOLVED WAS VERY LOUD AND POWDER WAS PRESENT IN THE AIR FOLLOWING DEPLOYMENT. VE…

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BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS(INSIDE SEAT) DEPLOYED WITHOUT A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR COLLISION.. BOTH MY WIFE AND I WERE STRUCK WITH THE AIRBAGS. OUR 4 CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. NONE OF THEM WERE STRUCK DIRECTLY BUT THE NOISE INVOLVED WAS VERY LOUD AND POWDER WAS PRESENT IN THE AIR FOLLOWING DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH REPAIR ACCORDING TO GM . I HAD NOT PLANNED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL THE FALL OF 2015 BUT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY. I NEED TO HAVE IT HE VEHICLE PAID OFF DUE TO SAFETY SO WE CAN ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670171

125,000 miles · Jan 1, 2015
Engine

AFTER HEADING HOME FROM TAKING MY SON TO THE ER, MY TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO RISE FAST TO THE RED LINES WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT MY ENGINE OFF. I GOT OUT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER NEATH. COOLANT WAS POURING ALL OVER THE GROUND UNDER THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T DRIVE…

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AFTER HEADING HOME FROM TAKING MY SON TO THE ER, MY TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO RISE FAST TO THE RED LINES WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT MY ENGINE OFF. I GOT OUT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER NEATH. COOLANT WAS POURING ALL OVER THE GROUND UNDER THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T DRIVE SO I HAD TO CALL THE HUSBAND TO PICK US UP AND A TOW TRUCK. TOOK THE VAN TO TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES AND THEY BOTH SAID THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. I HAVE FOUND THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MANY HAVE COMPLAINED BUT YET NOT ONE RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE EVEN SEEN THIS ISSUE IN THE SERVICE NOTE DUE TO PLASTIC PARTS. GARAGES ARE ASKING 15 HUNDRED FOR REPAIR!!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669519

3,400 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,IGNITION DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN KEY WAS RELEASED,INCIDENT BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648400

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.