RoadVitals

2001 Pontiac Montana Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Apr 13, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 156 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Pontiac Montana submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 13, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10395811
Incident
Mar 28, 2011
Mileage
122,777 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Oct 29, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10362974
Incident
Feb 3, 2010
Mileage
112,438 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 11, 2010

HEADLIGHTS ARE OPAQUE AND WATER INSIDE, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10342536
Incident
Nov 27, 2009
Mileage
145,283 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 6, 2010

HEADLIGHTS BECAME OPAQUE ALSO WATER GOT INSIDE. HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED ON MY PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341709
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION ON THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE HEADLIGHT LENS EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION WHICH WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEATHER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/21/09

NHTSA ID
10294047
Incident
May 5, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lightingTransmission
Filed Oct 18, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HER 2001 PONTIAC MONTERO WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FILLING WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. THIS HAPPENED FOR THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP THREE YEARS AGO. NOW THERE IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GETTING WET WHEN IT RAINS. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS GETTING WET ALSO. THE DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL IS GETTING WET. HAD TO PUT A TOWEL ON THE DASHBOARD TO KEEP IT DRY. THE TRANSMISSION IWASNOT WORKING, AND IN ORDER TO TAKE IT DOWN, THE MECHANIC WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY THAT HIGH PRICE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10140074
Incident
Jul 21, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 18, 2005

NOTICED THAT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLINKING AS THOUGH MY HAZARDS WERE ON. WITH THE TURN SIGNAL ON, I CIRCLED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE COMMANDED LIGHT WAS BLINKING APPROPRIATELY BUT THE OPPOSITE LIGHT WAS ALSO BLINKING DIMLY. I PROCEEDED TO DISASSEMBLE EACH TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR TO SEARCH FOR CORROSION OR OTHER DAMAGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS CHARRING ON THE RIGHT REAR CIRCUIT CARD AT THE CONNECTOR. I CONTACTED MY PONTIAC DEALER INQUIRED IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SUCH AN ITEM AND THEY TOLD ME NO. I BOUGHT THE PART FROM PONTIAC INSTALLED IT MYSELF AND HAVE HAD NO FURTHER TROUBLE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER VEHICLES IN TRAFFIC AT NIGHT WITH EVIDENCE OF THE SAME INDICATOR PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136871
Incident
Apr 15, 2005
Mileage
99,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I FOUND THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LAMP HOUSING ASSEMBLIES CONNECTORS WERE BADLY BURNED, NO WATER WAS ENTERING THE HOUSING BY THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ID
10122505
Incident
May 29, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 19, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *NM THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LAMP HOUSING ASSEMBLIES WERE BADLY CORRODED AND THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE HOUSING BY THE WIRING HARNESS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10111191
Incident
Jan 1, 2005

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .