RoadVitals

2001 Pontiac Montana Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
11
Latest Dec 10, 2015
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.
7%
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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 11 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 steering

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

SteeringSuspensionVisibility
Filed Dec 10, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10809377
Incident
Aug 10, 2014
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 2, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10566652
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
3 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
EngineSeat beltsSteering
Filed Apr 30, 2005

I TOOK MY VAN FOR A FREE SAFETY CHECK AND THE MECHANIC SAID I HAD AN INTAKE LEAK WHICH COULD DO SOME MAJOR DAMAGE IF IT WASN'T REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY AGREED IT WAS LEAKING, AND FOUND A TIE ROD PROBLEM. ALONG WITH THOSE PROBLEMS THEY SAID MY TENSIONER ON MY FRONT SEAT BELT BROKE. THESE REPAIRS ARE OVER $1,000. IF ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I WOULD SURE LIKE AN EXPLANATION. MY DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS. THAT SURE SOUNDS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED!*AK

NHTSA ID
10118751
Incident
Apr 16, 2005
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2005

2001 PONTIAC MONTANA. 56700 MILES. POWER STEERING CUT OUT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT AT LOW SPEED, BUT IS OK AT HIGHER SPEEDS/RPM. NOW HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY, MUST BE VERY CAREFUL TURNING LEFT TO MAKE TURN, AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TURNING TO RIGHT IS UNAFFECTED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10106387
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
56,700 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+6 more
Filed Feb 23, 2004

GAS LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, GAS WAS POURING OUT FROM THE MOTOR. *LA THE WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN, THE CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY WAITING ON A NEW MOTOR. THE REAR BRAKES WERE LEAKING, THE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE, THE LEFT REAR STUCK BECAME STUCK, WHEN THE GEAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND PLACED INTO DRIVE AND THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE JERKED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE EMISSION SYSTEM WAS DRAGGING, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR VIBRATED, THE BUMPER COVER WAS LOOSE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMER'S CONCERN. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL SPEED. THE PLASTIC ON THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10061147
Mileage
3,060 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 2, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND WENT STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STRUCK SEVERAL TREES, AND SHEARED ONE OFF THAT LANDED ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN THE ACCIDENT. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10044280
Incident
Oct 9, 2003
Mileage
45,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 12, 2003
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE'S TIE ROD FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ID
10047805
Incident
Nov 11, 2003
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 27, 2003

FRONT TIE RODS, BRAKES AND ROTORS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND REQUIRE ALL NEW REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS NEW TIRES. THINK ORIGINALLY THAT TIE ROD AND CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW. HAVE 28,800 MILES ON IT. GM REFUSED TO LOOK AT CALIPERS SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE TIRES WEREN'T ROTATED. DOESN'T EXPLAIN HOW OUTSIDE BRAKE LININGS AND TIE RODS WORE OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10043658
Incident
Oct 21, 2003
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Apr 25, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. *JB THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATED AFTER A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN SLOWING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE. OTHER PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHEN IDLED DUE TO DIRTY INJECTOR(S), THERE WAS NOISE ON DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, THE HORN WOULD GO OFF BY ITSELF/DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE, THE COVER IN THE REAR HATCH ON THE LEFT SIDE DID NOT STAY IN PLACE AND REINSTALLED THE PANEL DOOR, THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO REVERSE AND GRINDS WHEN PLACED IN FORWARD GEARS/REMOVED TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLED, THERE WAS CLUNKING WHEN IN GEAR, THE PLANETARY GEARS WERE ROUNDED, THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IT WANTED TO TAKE OFF, FOUND A LOOSE MOTOR MOUNT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND WAS TIGHTENED, THE STEERING WAS STIFF, AND WAS NOISY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. *SCC

NHTSA ID
10017567
Incident
Apr 23, 2002
Mileage
13,305 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 31, 2001

VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT WHEN DRIVING. DEALER DID NUMEROUS WHEEL ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED RACK AND PINION, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001248
Incident
Nov 14, 2001

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 .