Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 156 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Montana. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 156 · page 1 of 7
MY GEARSHIFT BROKE,FUEL GAGE DON'T WORK,MY CAR BOUNCE UP AND DOWN WHEN DRIVING SLIDING DOORS WON'T CLICK OPEN.WHEN START CAR UP AND PUT IN GEAR DRIVE OR REVEARSE WON'T MOVE JUST RIVE UP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSING, CAUSING THE DOOR TO OPEN WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH FAILED. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V067000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
IN LEFT TURN LANE IN THE INTERSECTION..ONCOMING VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON. AIRBAG FAILED TO INFLATE ON DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVER AIRLIFTED TO TRAUMA HOSP.
THE VAN WHEN IN PARK WILL REVIVE THE ENGINE AND JUMP, WHEN STOPPING WITH NEW BRAKES AND ALL THAT FUN STUFF WHEN THE VAN IS DOING THIS REVIVING STATE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP AND LIKE THE VAN IS FIGHTING IT. IT SOMETIMES OVER SHIFTS WHEN IN THIS STATE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A LIGHT (DOES THE REVIVING THING WHEN MOVING. I AM AFRAID ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO JUMP AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOME ONE OR NOT STOP. *TR
THE TANK LEAKS FUEL AT THE INLET ON THE TANK. CUSTOMER IS ABLE TO PUT NO MORE THAN ENOUGH GAS IN THE TANK WHERE IS BELOW THE LEVEL ON THE INLET ON THE TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LEAK NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,691.
I BACKED UP TO THE LAUNDRY TO WASH CLOTHES AND PROCEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GET OUT TO GET CLOTHES OUT OF THE BACK. I PUSHED THE BRAKE AND THOUGHT I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK BECAUSE THE KEY CAME OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO STEP OUT OF THE VAN TO GET MY CLOTHES OUT OF THE BACK AND MY FOOT CAME OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND BACKED INTO A BLOCK WALL. THE WALL WAS DESTROYED, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. THE BACK DOOR OF THE VAN IS CRUSHED. AFTER A CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE IGNITION LOCK I FOUND THAT THE KEY WILL COME OUT IN ANY POSITION, INCLUDING RUNNING. I HAD THOUGHT THE KEY WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO COME OUT EXCEPT IN THE OFF POSITION. IS THIS CORRECT? I ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS IN THE GM RECALL FROM MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED IGNORANCE OF ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. INCLUDING EVEN WHAT CONSTITUTES A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO AND NOT DO. IT'S LIKE PULLING TEETH TRYING TO GET THEM TO SAY ANYTHING. THEY SAY THE FACTORY SENDS THEM A LIST AFFECTED CARS AND THEY WILL NOT TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS STRONG AT TIMES BUT A CURSORY EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING. AFTER VIEWING THE RECALLS CONCERNING GAS LEAKS I AM WORRIED. CAN YOU TELL ME BY THE VIN HOW MANY OF THE RECALLS SHOWN ON YOUR PAGE THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AND WHAT IT HAS MISSED BEFORE IT BURNS ME TO DEATH? *TR
BOUGHT THIS 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH 132000 MILES A WEEK BEFORE. GOING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM WORK, EARLY EVENING, 14 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I LOOK DOWN AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT UP AND THE RED TEMP GAUGE COMES ON. I PULL OVER. BUBBLING FLUIDS IS ALL I HEAR. FIRST WE STARTED OFF WITH NO HEAT A FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT. WE HAD THE HEATER CORE FLUSHED OUT AND THAT SEEMED TO WORK. CHANGED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. O2 SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED (1+3). FUEL PUMP IS RUSTED. AND THE HYDROPONIC LIFTERS ARE LOUD. LIKE THE STYLE BUT HAVING PROBLEMS. NOTICED A FEW STEERING ISSUES. *TR
IN 2010 I LEARNED MY VEHICLE HAD AN OUTSTANDING RECALL NOTICE (07V349000) FOR A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK. I HAD THE TANK REPLACED BY THE DEALER. YESTERDAY EVENING I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN I STEPPED NEAR MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO MY LOCAL ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAD HIM INSPECT THE GAS TANK. HE FOUND IT WAS LEAKING SIGNIFICANTLY AT THE FILLER NECK. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT HAD DONE THE REPLACEMENT. I REQUESTED THEY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TANK. THE TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR ONLY ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES. I TOLD THEM THAT DID NOT MAKE SENSE. THEY REPLACED A SUPPOSEDLY DEFECTIVE UNIT WITH A DEFECTIVE UNIT. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE GAS TANK. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND WE WOULD PROCEED FROM THERE. THEY WILL CHARGE ME $58 ( I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS TAXABLE OR NOT) TO GET THE BALL ROLLING. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT WAS 122,727. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 147,583. THAT EQUATES TO A LITTLE OVER 8,000 MILES PER YEAR, IN FLORIDA. *TR
FOR SOME TIME NOW I HAVE BEEN HAVING INCIDENTS WHERE MY GAS PEDAL IS HUNG UP OR STUCK. I AM TO THE POINT NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND EVERYTIME WE GET IN THE VAN ITS A DANGER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN HE SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000. ..UPDATED 01/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 01/09/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V349000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE) APPLIED TO THE CONTACT'S VIN BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,379 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,626.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE REMEDY CONSISTED OF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITHIN THE ELEXTRICAL SYSTEM, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, AND SPEED SENSOR TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSACTION AND AIR BAG LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V329000 (AIR BAGS FRONTAL). THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CHECK VALVE PIN FOR THE AIR BAGS WAS IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSING ALL OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,500.
MID MAY 2011...I PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA FROM AN OLDER WOMAN (70-80'S). SHE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND SHE LIVED NEAR TUSCON, ARIZONA. THE VEHICLE WAS/IS IN GREAT CONDITION (NO RUST, ETC.) FOR BEING 10 YEARS OLD...AND HAD ONLY 44,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN...I PUT ON MAYBE 1500 MILES. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH...I HAD A FEW ISSUES...ONE BEING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ON THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 AS I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY...I NOTICED A WEIRD FEELING WITH THE VAN...ALMOST A SQUISHY FEEL. I THOUGHT I MAYBE HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CHECKED AND IT LOOKED FINE. MY MOM PICKED UP MY 14 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER LATER THAT DAY WITH MY VAN...AND AS SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP SIGN...SHE SAID THAT IT FELT AS THOUGH THE BACK END OF THE VAN SLID OUT FROM UNDER HER. SHE PULLED OVER AS SHE THOUGHT MAYBE SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THAT LOOKED FINE. THEN SHE GOT OUT AGAIN AND RECHECKED THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES. THOSE WERE TIGHT. THEN SHE THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS SHE HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. AS SHE TURNED THE VAN AROUND TO CHECK THE INTERSECTION SHE JUST CAME THROUGH...THE VAN WOBBLED HORRIBLY. UPON INSPECTION...THE TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN CLEAN IN HALF. YOU COULD MOVE THE TIRE COMPLETELY AROUND SO IT COULD TOUCH THE ALL PARTS OF THE WHEEL WELL. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO A FEW MECHANICS...AND ALL CANNOT FIGURE WHY OR HOW THAT HAPPENED. ALL OF THEM HAVE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THIS TRAILING ARM SEEMS TO BE PRETTY THIN METAL WHEN YOU CONSIDER IT'S HOLDING YOUR TIRE ON! AND...THE WAY IT BROKE...IT'S ALMOST AS IF THERE WAS A FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SINCE THEN...WE HAVE HAD IT WELDED. BUT...I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE VEHICLE MUCH. I'M EXTREMELY HESITANT WITH MY NOW 15 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VAN. I'M SO GRATEFUL THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY! IT COULD HAVE BEEN A ROLLOVER. WE ARE TRYING TO DISCUSS THIS WITH GM TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL SHAKE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE TRAILING ARM ON THE REAR END FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRE MOUNTING IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND I PUSH ON THE BREAK THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIMLY LIGHT ON THE DASH, THEN WHEN I HAVE MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT BLINKS FAST, ALSO WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ON THE RIGHT ONE LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. I FEEL THAT THIS IS HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY YOUR COMPANY. WHEN YOU BUILT THE VEHICLE YOU USED PLASTIC WIRE MOUNTINGS AND THEY CAN'T WITHSTAND THE HEAT, THIS ALSO SHORTS OUT MY TRACTION CONTROL IN WHICH IT THEN SHUTS OFF. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS HAPPY. THE PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $55.00. *TR
SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON. TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS BLINKED REALLY FAST AND THEY LIGHT UP EVERYTIME I PUSH ON THE BREAK. REPLACED BRAKES. PROBLEM CAUSED TAIL LAMP CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT BULBS TO BURN OUT AND MELT CONNECTORS. WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WOULD NOT KNOW WHEN I WAS BREAKING AND COULD POSSIBLY RUN INTO ME. KNOCKING SOUND ON RIGHT WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. REPLACED STABILIZERS AND SENSORS, ROTATED AND BALANCED WHEELS. SCARED THAT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE TRACTION TO TURN OFF AND THE VEHICLE SLIDES WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. IT ALSO NEEDS NEW SHOCKS; THEY ARE LEAKING. VEHICLE IS RUNNING HOT AND IS EATING UP THE COOLANT. HAVE ALREADY PUT 2 GALLONS IN THE VEHICLE SINCE SEPT. WATER PUMP IS LEAKING. PASSENGER WINDOW KEEPS GETTING STUCK. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING ARE DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IF YOU GOOGLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, YOU WILL FIND THAT THE COMPLAINTS ARE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES THAT I HAVE STATED. I AM LOW INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY TO HYPOTHESIZE WHAT IS THE CAUSE. I NEED GM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CAN'T GET OUT OF MY CONTRACT AND THIS VEHICLE IS A ROAD HAZARD. I NOTICED THE ISSUE WITH THE DOOR THE SAME THAT I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON THE INSPECTION REPORT. STILL DISPUTING ISSUE WITH THEM. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL IN APRIL AND HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY TAKING IT BACK EVERY SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE. *TR
HEADLIGHTS ARE OPAQUE AND WATER INSIDE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *TR
HEADLIGHTS BECAME OPAQUE ALSO WATER GOT INSIDE. HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED ON MY PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WAS DEPRESSED TO OPEN THE DOORS, THEY WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN SO THAT IT WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. HE CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY. IN NOVEMBER 2009, THE DOORS STOPPED LOCKING ALTOGETHER WHICH PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE UNTIL THE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE; THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000.
FUEL GAUGE INAPPROPRIATELY REPORTS AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. GAUGE FAILS AT APPROXIMATELY 15 GALLONS USED. THE TANK SENSOR INDICATES NO FUEL UPON REACHING THE ABOVE AMOUNT UNTIL THE CAR IS RESTARTED WHICH AT THAT TIME READS FULL EVEN WHEN LESS IS PRESENT. WHILE DRIVING THE GAUGE WILL AGAIN RETURN TO THE EMPTY STATE EVEN WHEN ADEQUATE FUEL IS PRESENT IN TANK. THIS SITUATION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE TANK IS REFILLED. WHEN REFILLED THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE MEASURED AT THE PUMP AND INDICATED AS NEEDED IS INACCURATE UP TO 3 GALLONS MORE NEEDED TO FILL TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL INACCURATELY DISPLAYS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. ON SOME OCCASIONS HE WOULD HEAR THE LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR WHILE FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. HE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP NOR HAD HE SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
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.
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