2002 Pontiac Montana Fuel system Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMERGING FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL COMING OUT THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE SEAL WAS MAKING A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: A-31191114851. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID

11018950

Incident

Aug 22, 2017

Mileage

192,000 mi

THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAL WHERE THE ELBOW CONNECTES,. THIS SEAL HAS BEEN DISCONUTINED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. I CANT AFFORD A NEW TANK. IF THEY CANT REPLACE THE SEAL THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TANK, THERE HAS BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLES. I AM LUCKY THAT MY VAN DIDNT CATCH ON FIRE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE VAN, WE PUT SOME PUTTY ON IT FOR GAS LEAKS AND THAT HAS SLOW THE LEAK DOWN, I HAVE NOT CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE VAN MY ONLY WAY TO GO, I CANT AFFORD TO PUT A NEW GAS TANK FOR 725.00. I DONT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THEY CAN DISCONTIUNED A SEAL LIKE THIS THAT AND NOT WILLING TO REPLACE A HAZARD PART LIKE THIS, I PUT MY LIFE AND THE GIRLS LIFE IN DANGER EVERYDAY WE GO OUT IN THE VAN BUT WE HAVE NOT CHOICE.

NHTSA ID

11012958

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE CAN CRACK AND LEAK RECALL.. I WENT OUT TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SMELT GAS. LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAN SEE GAS DRIPPING.HAD IT LOOKED IT AND SURE ENOUGH HOLE/CRACK IN FUEL TANK AND NOW THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING .CHECKED UNDER THE RECALL AND MINE IS NOT IN IT..

NHTSA ID

10947666

Incident

Jan 13, 2017

Mileage

98,850 mi

2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,426. ALSO SINCE THIS HAPPENING THE GAS TANK DOES NOT READ THE GAS AMOUNT CORRECTLY,ITS EITHER FULL OR LOW ON FUEL AND LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10929457

Incident

Nov 27, 2016

Mileage

93,426 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AT THE INLET. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,949.

NHTSA ID

10862774

Incident

May 25, 2015

Mileage

120,949 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,763.

NHTSA ID

10712164

Incident

Apr 22, 2015

Mileage

151,763 mi

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012, I SMELLED STRONG GAS FUMES IN MY KITCHEN WHICH IS BY MY CARPORT. I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK AND SEE WHERE THE OVERWHELMING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. TIME I STEPPED OUT THE DOOR TO MY CARPORT WHERE MY VAN IS PARKED, I WENT TO MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN AND BEGAN LOOKING AND SNIFFING AROUND AND UNDER IT. TO MY SHOCK AND SURPRISE THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND FROM GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE INLET CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND CRY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF ANYTHING THAT COULD IGNITE OR START A FIRE AND THE EXPOSURE TO THE FUMES THAT WOULD ENDANGER MY FAMILY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY MECHANIC FOR HELP AND HE CAN OVER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE VALVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INLET AND TANK WAS LEAKING. HE THEN WENT ONLINE TO CHECK ON A POSSIBLE PART FOR THE FUEL TANK AND CAME ACROSS A RECALL CHECK. WE BOTH READ THE INFORMATION AND I CALLED PONTIAC ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10,2012 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM MY DEEPEST CONCERN ABOUT THE LEAK FROM MY FUEL TANK. THEY CONTACTED A DEALER AND HE TALKED WITH A AREA REPRESENTATIVE, SHE SAID MY SPECIAL WARRANTY EXPIRED JULY 27, 2012 FOR 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES CLAIMING THEY SENT IT OUT IN JANUARY 30, 2008 IN WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED AT ALL. AT THE DEALER I GOT A ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK PRICE AT $800.00 INCLUDING LABOR COST. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED AT FIRST $1500.00 TOWARD A NEW CAR, THEN OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF A FUEL TANK AND LABOR. I NOW NEED ADVICE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10475155

Incident

Sep 8, 2012

Mileage

104,255 mi

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. IT NOW GIVES ME A READING OF EITHER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS OR AN EMPTY TANK OF GAS. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING TO THE FUEL GAUGE GOING BAD. THE INCORRECT FUEL READING OCCURS AT EVERY START UP, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN INCORRECT GAUGE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I HAVE NOT MADE A REPAIR AS OF THIS TIME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS FAULTY. FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 2011. *TR

NHTSA ID

10398769

Incident

Feb 20, 2011

Mileage

122,000 mi

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED VERSION. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS WET FROM GASOLINE UNDER FUEL TANK INLET TUBE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07V349000 WHICH HAD THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM I HAD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND THE TANK WAS REMOVED AND A NEW GAS TANK WAS ORDERED. I WAS CALLED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS THE EXTENDED MODEL AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $1,100.00. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND HE REPLIED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE, BUT THAT THE EXTENDED LENGTH MONTANA WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL THE OLD TANK AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10380018

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

90,342 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE OVERFLOWING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ID

10368208

Incident

Nov 22, 2010

Mileage

95,000 mi

THIS 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA HAS BEEN OWNED BY US SINCE NEW. IT NOW WILL NOT SHOW A VALID QUANTITY OF FUEL , THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN IT DOES NOT IT IS BECAUSE IT SHOWS EMPTY AND THE WARNING BELL IS RINGING. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT STOPS THE BELL RINGING AND THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL AGAIN. I AM SEARCHING THE WEB TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS AND I FIND MANY MENTIONS OF THE PROBLEM BY OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT FLED A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE. THIS VAN ALSO IS IN NEED OF A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT, A PROBLEM THAT STARTED LAST YEAR IN EARLY 2008. *TR

NHTSA ID

10287140

Incident

Aug 15, 2009

Mileage

80,600 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN UPDATED 01/09/09

NHTSA ID

10250584

Incident

Sep 26, 2008

Mileage

135,000 mi

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I SMELLED GAS AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM AROUND GAS TANK FILL NECK AREA. IN THAT I WAS CONCERNED WITH A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACK / FRACTURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL NECK GOING INTO THE GAS TANK. AS A RESULT THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN RECALL # 07V349000. UNFORTUNATELY THE LIMITED RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. IT APPEARS FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS APPROPRIATE WHICH COULD EXPAND THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10242900

Incident

Sep 12, 2008

Mileage

69,907 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OTHER MAINTENANCE WORK, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE INTAKE VALVE GASKET. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,652 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,452.

NHTSA ID

10211916

Incident

Dec 1, 2007

Mileage

72,452 mi

WE FIRST NOTICED FUEL SMELL IN THE GARAGE. FOUND A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM A CRACK AROUND THE FUEL TANK INLET. I WAS NOT ABLE AT THAT TIME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, SO I REPAIRED WITH SOME EPOXY PUTTY. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS BUT THEN IT BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN. THIS TIME I WENT ONLINE TO LOOK FOR REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT STATES THAT FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE MANUFACTURE DATE IS JUNE THRU AUG 2002. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11/2001. *JB

NHTSA ID

10204484

Incident

Jun 20, 2007

Mileage

135,000 mi

PONTIAC FUEL TANK DEFECT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE SPOKE WITH THE MFR AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY ITS NOT A RECALL**CC CONSUMER WROTE COMPLAINT IN SPANISH. *JB UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10202650

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE INTAKE GASKET HAD CORRODED FROM A COOLING LEAK. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND THE ONLY COOLANT THAT THE DEALER IS TELLING HER TO USE IS DEX COOL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF COOLANT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE FAILURES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO USE. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SIGNS OF CORROSION, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND PREVENTS HER FROM KNOWING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HUB IS LOOSE, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND COMPASS HAS FAILED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, SINCE THE CONTACT CHANGED HER OWN OIL, THAT IS THE REASON SHE IS EXPERIENCING SO MANY FAILURES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10192771

Incident

May 24, 2007

Mileage

70,000 mi

2002 PONTIAC MONTANA GAS GAUGE WILL SHOOT UP TO FULL AND THEN DROP TO EMPTY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I NEVER HAVE AN ACCURATE READING OF HOW MUCH FUEL I ACTUALLY HAVE. YESTERDAY WHILE AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL I RAN OUT OF GAS AND HAD TO CALL AAA FOR FUEL TO GET ME TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I MUST NOW SET MY TRIP COUNTER AT 0 WHEN I FUEL UP. THIS COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM IF I RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR SOMETHING (I HAVE CHILDREN) MAYBE EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY PONTIAC AND A RECALL BE SET IN PLACE. I FOUND OUT IT COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM 500 TO 750 DOLLARS TO FIX. RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189744

Incident

May 3, 2007

Mileage

114,000 mi

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS 1/2 TO ALMOST FULL, THE FUEL WILL THUMP AGAINST THE ENDS OF THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP OR MOVES FORWARD. THERE IS AN OPEN TAC SINCE MAY 2002 AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE MORE MONTANAS AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS INVOLVED. NO SOLUTION AS OF YET, AND I AM GETTING TIRED OR WAITING FOR A SOLUTION OR FOR THE TANK TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID

10071310

Incident

Nov 15, 2002

PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION STARTING BY OVER HEATING LOOK LIKE A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM BUT IS NOT. HEAD GASKET FAIL AND GAS FROM THE CYLINDERS ESCAPE TO THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE CAUSING TO OVER HEAT AND DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

10069671

Incident

Nov 15, 2002

LEAKING GAS TANK FOR 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. TANK LINER IS MADE OF PLASTIC. INFORMED THAT THERE IS A 'NATIONAL BACK ORDER" FOR THESE TANKS. OTHER CONSUEMRS MAY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. LEAK APPEARED AT 9900 MILES. VEHICLE UNDER MFR. WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

10038715

Incident

Sep 4, 2003

Mileage

9,900 mi