1998 Pontiac Montana 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 1998 Pontiac Montana, 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
- Engine1525.9%
- Body & structure58.6%
- Electrical46.9%
- Visibility46.9%
- Brakes46.9%
- Interior & seats46.9%
- Exterior lighting46.9%
- Seat belts35.2%
- Airbags35.2%
- Steering23.4%
- Suspension23.4%
- Tires & wheels23.4%
- Transmission23.4%
- Powertrain (other)23.4%
- Driver assistance11.7%
- Fuel system11.7%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE WITHOUT IT OCCURRING IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER SIX PREVIOUS FAILED DIAGNOSTICS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/03/14 MA
THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF WHILE STARTING TO TURN A CORNER. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, BUT THE CAR JUST ROLLED ON. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED KEY IT STARTED AND THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHEN CONTACTED, SAID, JUST RESTART THE CAR! DOES THIS RELATE TO GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL? *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, ONLY MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND COULD ONLY BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 239,000.
RECALL 01V264000; UPON BEING A PART OF A RECALL CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. DOOR CONTINUOUSLY OPENS, AND LOCKS DO NOT LOCK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ALONG HWY 101 THE OVERHEAT LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAGE JUMPED TO OVER THE LIMIT. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOT HOT. HOWEVER, THE GAGE WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE THE CHUG AND HAVE VERY LITTLE DRIVE UNTIL 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD IT KICKED BACK INTO NORMAL LIKE A BAT OUTTA HELL. THIS, ALONG A MOUNTAINOUS FAST MOVING HIGHWAY WITH LOGGING TRUCKS ON MY TAIL; NOT A VERY SAFE SITUATION. ON THIS SAME TRIP, THE PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP, @ 55MPH AND 40 DEGREES, IT WAS NOT PLEASANT.*AK
1998 MONTANA VAN WOULDN'T CRANK AT WORK, THEN WAITED AND IT CRANKED. SECOND TIME IT STOPPED IN ROAD, THEN CRANKED UP. LATER TRIED TO CRANK AND IT WOULDN'T. HAD TO TOW VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT WIRES WERE CORRODED THAT AFFECTED SENSORS. *JB
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
WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT POWER WINDOWS. THE RIGHT POWER WINDOW STARTED STICKING HALF WAY UP. IT WAS REPAIRED AT 36,000 52,000 AND 80,000 MILES. THE SYMPTOMS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME EXCEPT AT 80,000 THE WINDOW STUCK DOWN (DURING A VERY RAINY WEEKEND). IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. NOW AT 90,000 MILES THE DRIVER WINDOW IS STICKING HALF WAY UP AGAIN. IT WILL TOTALLY FREEZE SOON. THE PASSANGER WINDOW, WHICH WAS ALIGNED AND LUBED AT 80,000 MILES IS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. WE CAN'T MAKE IT GO DOWN AT ALL. HELP
WE PURCHASED THE 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA IN MARCH 1998. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, WE HAVE HAD THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SOCKET REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO MALFUNCTION. IN OCTOBER 2002, WE TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE IN FOR PROBLEMS NOTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SOCKET AGAIN, REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, REPLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES DOOR POWER WINDOW MOTORS, REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, AND THEY WORKED ON THE SLIDING DOOR FOR THE FIFTH TIME DUE TO A RECALL. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE FOR THE PENDING WORKS CAME TO $3500.00 PLUS. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WITH ME CONCERNS, BUT MY CONCERNS FELL ON DEAF EARS. ALL THE AGREED TO HELP ME WITH WAS THE PRICE ON THE PARTS OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND THAT WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR AND ALL OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS BECAUSE THEY FELT THAT WE DID NOT HAVE ANYMORE WARRANTY ON THE AUTOMOBILE. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISE ME TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO DO THE JOBS REQUIRED, BUT WE THOUGHT IT NOT TO AT THIS TIME. WE EVEN SUGGESTED THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE ITEMS, BUT WE STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS PARTICULAR VAN HAS A DEFECT. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE OUR CONCERNS.
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
THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF WHILE STARTING TO TURN A CORNER. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, BUT THE CAR JUST ROLLED ON. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED KEY IT STARTED AND THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHEN CONTACTED, SAID, JUST RESTART THE CAR! DOES THIS RELATE TO GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL? *TR
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
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
WHILE DRIVING ON MARCH 16,2004 I HIT BLACK ICE IN THE ROAD,WENT OFF THE ROAD, ROLLED OVER AND BOTH FRONT DOORS CAME OPEN BY THEMSELVES AND I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY THAT I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM DUE TO THE DOORS OPENING. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT MORE SEROIUS BECAUSE DURING ROLLOVER I FELT MY LEGS GO OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.*AK
THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AND CLOSE. WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, THE DOORS STOP OPENING AND CLOSING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FOR THE DOORS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, THE OVERRIDE BUTTON HAD TO BE ENGAGED. *JB *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH HEADLAMP LENS FELL OFF THE REFLECTORS, THEN BULBS BURNT OUT DUE TO SNOW CONTACTING BULBS.DEALER SAYS ITS A COMON PROPLEM BUT PONTIAC WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
SPORT MODEL. HEADLIGHT LENS POPPED OFF. MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY 50% DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CENTER SEATBELT IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS PULLS OUT, THEN LOCKS. YOU CANNOT RELEASE IT TO GET MORE SLACK. THE DEALER WAS TOLD ABOUT IT BUT SAYS IT WORKS LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE A YOUNG CHILD COULD NOT RELEASE THE BELT; IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT REQUIRING IMMEDIATE EXITING OF THE VEHICLE THIS OCCUPANT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THEMSELVES FROM THE RESTRAINT. THE INERTIA WHEEL SHOULD NOT LOCK UNLESS THE BELT IS "JERKED" FORWARD SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. IT SHOULD ALLOW FOR SLACK TO BE GIVEN UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES - ALSO, IF THE OCCUPANT MOVES SUCH THAT THE BELT TIGHTENS IT BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO RELEASE THE RESTRAINT.*AK
BOTH CLIPS ON INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS ARE BROKEN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKED PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING HOME, TRAVELING 40 MPH WITH SNOW ON ROAD AND DARK, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THEN, TWO WEEKS LATER ON 12-FEB-2000, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF WHILE STARTING TO TURN A CORNER. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, BUT THE CAR JUST ROLLED ON. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED KEY IT STARTED AND THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHEN CONTACTED, SAID, JUST RESTART THE CAR! DOES THIS RELATE TO GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL? *TR
I HAVE A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT-MONTANA! THE DEALER INDICATES IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE 02V28600. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM PART AND IT IS OBVIOUS GM KNEW AND SHOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MINE IS TOO NEW FOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT ONLY MONTHS BEFORE. EA02033 FIXES THE VEHICLES UP TO OCTOBER 31 1997. MINE IS A 1998 WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS SEEING AS IT IS A TRANSPORT WITH MONTANA TRIM. I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE IT FAILS AND SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY WIFE AND KIDS. I SPOKE WITH PONTIAC AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER AND NEEDS LESS TO SAY I GOT NO PLACE. I KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH BUT , COME ON YOU ARE MESSING WITH THE HEALTH OF MY FAMILY! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON PONTIAC MONTANA LEAKED OF FLUID PER HAGGERTY PONTIAC TECH.*AK
VEHICLE SHAKES AT ANY SPEED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
1998 PONTIAC MONTANA,LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN BARRIER *BF OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0246-90. *JB
98 PONTAIC TWIN SPORT; BOTH TIRES ARE MAKING A THUMPING NOISE, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THAT TIRE COULD FALL APART. COINSUMER FELT UNSAFE WITH TIRES. TIRE SIZE P215/70R15 AND DOT # ACM3CL13700 AND ACM3CL1118. *AK
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
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON OUR MONTANA FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2500. I WAS DIRECTED TO THIS SITE AND SEE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON VARIOUS MODEL YEAR MONTANA/TRANSSPORTS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THESE? THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING, ON HILLY AREAS, ETC. ESSENTIALLY A TYPICAL USAGE OF SOME CITY, SOME HIGHWAY. ONLY 68,000 MILES AND NOW THIS?*AK
VEHICLE CAN BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE WITHOUT IT OCCURRING IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER SIX PREVIOUS FAILED DIAGNOSTICS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/03/14 MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, ONLY MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND COULD ONLY BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 239,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT REDUCED SPEED THROUGH URBAN AREAS, THE VEHICLE WILL INCREASE RPMS AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS UNSETTLING, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO INSURE THAT YOU DO NOT RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, THE RPMS RETURN TO NORMAL. IF YOU CONTINUE DRIVING WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS, THE ENGINE RETURNS TO NORMAL ONCE YOU ARE ABLE TO INCREASE YOUR SPEED IN LESS CONGESTED AREAS. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED RECENTLY, AND WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES. THE RECALLS THAT WE VIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE DID NOT REFER TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. ANY INSIGHT THAT YOU CAN OFFER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LINE DISCONNECTED BY THE FUEL FILTER. QUICK CONNECTION FAILED.*AK
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 .