2003 Montana 3670 RL Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Montana 3670 RL, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension535.7%
- Engine214.3%
- Interior & seats17.1%
- Other / unspecified17.1%
- Tires & wheels17.1%
- Transmission17.1%
- Body & structure17.1%
- Visibility17.1%
- Brakes17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVING COMPLETED A 1400 MILE TRIP FROM REDMOND OREGON TO TUCSON AZ THE RIGHT REAR SPRING HANGER DETACHED AND THE 36 FOOT 5TH WHEEL LEANED TO THE RIGHT. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO OUR WELL BEING AND ANYONE AROUND US. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURERS REP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIT IS 4 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY. I SENT PICTURES AND COMMENTS TO THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESPONSE. THE UNIT IS NOT MOVABLE SAFELY AS IT ONLY HAS 1 INCH OF CLEARANCE IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL SO NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT THIS TIME. THE FAILED PARTS RIPPED FROM THE BOLTS IN THE SPRING ALLOWING THE REAR SPRING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE 5TH WHEEL. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AVAILABLE. HOWEVER YOUR FORM WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING YOU CANNOT PUT A 1,0,Q, IN POSITION 1. *TR
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO COMPLAINT #101699448, AND #10169990 I HAVE A 2003 MONTANA BIG SKY 3670RL FIFTH WHEEL RV. ON A TRIP IN JUNE I HAD A BLOWOUT THAT LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH DAMAGE TO MY TRAILER. AFTER REPLACING THE FLAT TIRE AND CONTINUING HOME I THEN NOTICED THAT THE OTHER 3 HAD UN NORMAL WEAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD AND STILL HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT ON THE OUTSIDE TREAD. AFTER QUESTIONING MY DEALER ABOUT THIS MY DEALER INSTRUCTED ME TO CHECK THE AXLE TAG TO SEE WHO MANUFACTURED THE AXLES. I DID THIS TO FIND OUT THAT ALKO KOBER WAS THE MANUFACTURER. MY DEALER THEN INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS BEEN REPLACING ALKO AXLES ON TRAILERS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SINCE I PURCHASED MY TRAILER USED AND OUT OF WARRANTY THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO THE TRAILER MANUFACTURE TO SEE WHAT I SHOULD DO. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND GAVE THEM THE VIN NUMBER OFF THE TRAILER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALKO DID ADMIT TO HAVING A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM ON AXLES THAT WERE MADE IN '03 AND MY TRAILER VIN INDICATED THAT IT WAS IN THE LIST OF VIN NUMBERS THAT WOULD HAVE THE BAD AXLES. SINCE THE TRAILER WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO ALKO, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AXLES. WHEN I CONTACTED ALKO THEY NEW NOTHING ABOUT THE BAD AXLES BUT TOLD ME I NEEDED AN AXLE ALIGNMENT. ALIGNMENT IS SET BY THE AXLE MANUFACTURER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RV'S ON THE ROAD TODAY THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN '03 AND '04 WITH THESE "BAD" ALKO AXLES. THESE TRAILERS ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THESE TRAILERS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BLOWING TIRES. IF THE TIRE BLOWS THE PERSON TOWING THE TRAILER MAY NOT REALIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE TIRE HAS COME APART AND IT IS TEARING UP THE TRAILER AND SPREADING PARTS ALL OVER THE ROAD. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPTEMEBER 10, 2010, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY CAR (2003 PONTAIC MONTANA) CAME OFF THE TRACK. A PASSENEGER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING MY 2003 PONTAIC MONTANA. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES. DEALERS HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO BUT ANOTHER CAR, STATING THAT MY CAR WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, A SQUEEK AND INTERIOR TRIM FALLING OUT. I'VE REPLACED SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, BRAKES, TIRES. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
MY DRIVERS SEAT BUTTON ABOVE THE SWITCH TO MOVE THE SEAT INTO POSITION KEEPS BREAKING I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES!!! MY FINGERS GOT PINCHED SEVERELY WHEN IT BROKE...I HAVE OWNED THIS VAN FOR 4 YEARS. ENGINE OVER HEATING, NO RADIATOR LEAKS, MECHANIC FOUND INTAKE GASKET LEAKING INTO OIL AND ALSO DRIPPING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. MECHANIC WILL REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET COSTING ME ALMOST $900 TO FIX OF WHICH I BELIEVE GM SHOULD PAY ME BACK FOR. THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER LET THE PUBLIC KNOW UNTIL I FOUND OUT BY DOING MY OWN SEARCH ONLINE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED ME AND MY HANDICAPPED DAUGHTER TO BE STRANDED IN ANOTHER TOWN AND HAD TO HAVE MY SON IN LAW TOW ME TO A PLACE TO GET IT FIXED. THIS 2003 MONTANA PONTIAC MINI VAN TO ME IS A PIECE OF JUNK AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GM PRODUCT OR DRIVE ONE IF YOU GAVE IT TO ME.. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DRIVERS SEAT BUTTON ABOVE THE SWITCH TO MOVE THE SEAT INTO POSITION KEEPS BREAKING I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES!!! MY FINGERS GOT PINCHED SEVERELY WHEN IT BROKE...I HAVE OWNED THIS VAN FOR 4 YEARS. ENGINE OVER HEATING, NO RADIATOR LEAKS, MECHANIC FOUND INTAKE GASKET LEAKING INTO OIL AND ALSO DRIPPING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. MECHANIC WILL REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET COSTING ME ALMOST $900 TO FIX OF WHICH I BELIEVE GM SHOULD PAY ME BACK FOR. THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER LET THE PUBLIC KNOW UNTIL I FOUND OUT BY DOING MY OWN SEARCH ONLINE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED ME AND MY HANDICAPPED DAUGHTER TO BE STRANDED IN ANOTHER TOWN AND HAD TO HAVE MY SON IN LAW TOW ME TO A PLACE TO GET IT FIXED. THIS 2003 MONTANA PONTIAC MINI VAN TO ME IS A PIECE OF JUNK AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GM PRODUCT OR DRIVE ONE IF YOU GAVE IT TO ME.. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO TRAILER WHEELS DEVELOPED LEAKS AT THE WELD CONNECTING THE RIM TO THE BOLT FLANGE. *MR THE WHEELS ARE STAMPED: MADE IN THE USA 16X6, JJDOT CT+W, 4 22 2002, US-CL. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPTEMEBER 10, 2010, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY CAR (2003 PONTAIC MONTANA) CAME OFF THE TRACK. A PASSENEGER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING MY 2003 PONTAIC MONTANA. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES. DEALERS HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO BUT ANOTHER CAR, STATING THAT MY CAR WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, A SQUEEK AND INTERIOR TRIM FALLING OUT. I'VE REPLACED SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, BRAKES, TIRES. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. NO FIXES? *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPTEMEBER 10, 2010, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY CAR (2003 PONTAIC MONTANA) CAME OFF THE TRACK. A PASSENEGER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING MY 2003 PONTAIC MONTANA. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES. DEALERS HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO BUT ANOTHER CAR, STATING THAT MY CAR WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, A SQUEEK AND INTERIOR TRIM FALLING OUT. I'VE REPLACED SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, BRAKES, TIRES. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPTEMEBER 10, 2010, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY CAR (2003 PONTAIC MONTANA) CAME OFF THE TRACK. A PASSENEGER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING MY 2003 PONTAIC MONTANA. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES. DEALERS HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO BUT ANOTHER CAR, STATING THAT MY CAR WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, A SQUEEK AND INTERIOR TRIM FALLING OUT. I'VE REPLACED SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, BRAKES, TIRES. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEPTEMEBER 10, 2010, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY CAR (2003 PONTAIC MONTANA) CAME OFF THE TRACK. A PASSENEGER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS INVOLVING MY 2003 PONTAIC MONTANA. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES. DEALERS HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO BUT ANOTHER CAR, STATING THAT MY CAR WOULD COST $3000.00 TO FIX. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL PAN LEAK, A SQUEEK AND INTERIOR TRIM FALLING OUT. I'VE REPLACED SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, BRAKES, TIRES. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .