2005 Pontiac Montana Owner Complaints

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

NHTSA ID

11517939

Incident

Apr 19, 2023

VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS FOR YEARS. ONE DAY I STARTED IT UP AND WAS SMOKING HEAVILY. NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. NO LOOSE OR BARE WIRES, NOTHING UNORDINARY GOING ON UNDER THE HOOD THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NO SIGNS OF OPERATOR ERROR SO FORTH. *TR

NHTSA ID

11320485

Incident

Apr 8, 2020

Mileage

124,125 mi

MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND IS FLUCATING AND THE DASH READING IS SAYING THINGS. ITS ALL MESSED UP

NHTSA ID

11317651

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 55-60 MILES AN HOUR MY VAN WILL SUDDENLY "GRAB" AND MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND SAY SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM> IT MAKES ME ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM 55-60 MILES AN HOUR- ITS SCARY! THIS HAS HAPPENED MOVING FAST, AND ALSO TURNING. MOST RECENT DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS TODAY 3/9/16

NHTSA ID

10840444

Incident

Mar 8, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID

10820937

Incident

Jan 19, 2016

Mileage

151,000 mi

[XXX] IS IN CUSTODY AN HIS CAR IS ABOUNDED ON THE 200 BLOCK OF HOBART AN VINE ST THE VAN DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOWS NO TAGS ON IT AN ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES ARE FLAT I NEED DRIVE HERE DOT COM TO COME REPO THIS CAR BECAUSE ERIC IS IN JAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE ANYMORE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR ALSO ERIC TOOK THE TRACKING DEVICE OFF THE 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

NHTSA ID

10820914

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED FOR FOUR MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED, THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 201,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10721112

Incident

May 19, 2015

Mileage

201,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY THE CAR IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP, I PRESSED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY BUT THEY FAILED TO WORK (THEY GOT HARD WHEN I PUSHED THEM) I TRIED TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. AIR BAGS POPPED OUT INSTANTLY, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THAT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10713422

Incident

Apr 17, 2015

THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE THERMOSTAT ON THE DASH JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND POP THE HOOD YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS COOL TO THE TOUCH. CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS AND THERE IS NO LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10681048

Incident

Jan 19, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEP TURNING ON AND STAYS ON AS YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES IT JUST TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND TURN ON BACK AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID

10608386

Incident

Apr 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DVD PLAYER TURNED ON BY ITS SELF AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF IT WAS EXTREMELLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID

10605719

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

23,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE BY USING THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB REMOTE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS AND BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANIPULATED THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK SIX TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER DRIVER IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 108,000. UPDATED 8/15/14*CN UPDATED 08/26/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10604827

Incident

Jun 19, 2014

Mileage

108,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ERRONEOUSLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE SHIFTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10585880

Incident

Jan 1, 2011

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRONIC SLIDING DOOR ERRONEOUSLY BECOME UNLOCKED AND SLID OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TELEVISION MONITOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT FROM THE MONITOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE FUSE FOR THE MONITOR WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALER, MAKING THE MONITOR INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 05/30/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10574960

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

38,000 mi

CREAK,POP,CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE DURING SLOW PARKING LOT MANEUVERS, AND IS MOSTLY EVIDENT IN A COMPLETELY STOPPED CONDITION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. I SPEND MONEY TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIT, AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485795

Incident

Oct 29, 2012

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REMOVING HIS SEAT BELT, HE SAW THAT THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT, WHICH WAS BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE, WAS DANGLING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 99,500. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRACKET NORMALLY BOLTS TO THE VEHICLE, WAS NOT NOTED .

NHTSA ID

10483143

Incident

Nov 2, 2012

Mileage

99,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO GO INTO A TAIL SPIN. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER AND THE PASSENGER SEAT FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER PART OF THE BODY AND BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR OBSERVATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10460625

Incident

Jan 7, 2012

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DUST ENTERING THE RAILS AND SWITCHES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 1/20/12 *CN

NHTSA ID

10439372

Incident

Dec 12, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10407358

Incident

Jun 16, 2011

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING AFTER REFUELING AND WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

NHTSA ID

10398510

Incident

Nov 11, 2009

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, HEAD LIGHTS, FENDER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED EYE AND INJURIES TO THE LIPS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN FINGER AND WRIST AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A PUNCTURE WOUND TO THE FOREHEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE TAIL LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD OPERATE ERRATICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,900.

NHTSA ID

10393742

Incident

Mar 13, 2011

Mileage

78,900 mi

SINCE PURCHASING NEARLY 2 YRS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS MINOR ISSUES AND SOME DANGEROUS PROBLEMS AS WELL. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. WE HAD THE VAN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR. THE SLIDER DOOR OPENS RANDOMLY, WON'T SHUT, OR JUST KEEPS OPENING AND SHUTTING FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. WE'VE TRIED TURNING THE SWITCH OFF ON THE CONSOLE, WHICH FOR THE MOST PART KEEPS THE DOOR SHUT~ BUT THEN THAT DOOR IS UNUSABLE. NOW FOR THE MOST SERIOUS OF MY CONCERNS WITH THE CONSOLE SWITCH OFF, THE DOOR HAS ON OCCASION OPENED ON ITS OWN WHEN THE VAN IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO, AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THE DOOR HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN IN THE NIGHT AND STAYED OPEN~ CAUSING MY BATTERY TO BE DEAD IN THE MORNING. ANOTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE HAS IS THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY, WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AND STILL IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THOSE SYSTEMS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10373776

Incident

Dec 14, 2010

Mileage

64,000 mi

I HAVE ONLY 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA ENTERVAN FROM BRAUN, AND IT IS ABOUT TO GET ITS FIFTH FUEL TANK. TWO OTHER TANKS WERE DELIVERED BUT NOT INSTALLED BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. I ONCE MET A GUY WITH A VEHICLE LIKE MINE AND HE ALSO HAD A FUEL TANK LEAK. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. WHILE THE POPULATION OF VEHICLES IS SMALL, THE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IN THEM ARE MOST VULNERABLE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF THE WHEELCHAIR RAMP WILL NOT GO DOWN OR THERE'S A FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE RAMP. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE THE COMPLAINT THAT HE SENT VIA EMAIL. THE CURRENT MILES WERE 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. BL

NHTSA ID

10369323

Incident

Nov 15, 2005

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED AND THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED ON SEVERAL OCCASION THE DOOR DIDN'T LOCK PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,131.

NHTSA ID

10365917

Incident

Nov 14, 2010

Mileage

110,131 mi

I HAVE A HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE VAN MADE BY M.C. MOBILITY AND GM. MY AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENS ITSELF AND EXECUTES THE RAMP AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ONCE I WAS AT THE DRIVE THRU AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT OPENED THE DOOR AND EXECUTED THE RAMP. OTHER TIMES IT HAS OPENED AND CLOSED BY ITSELF. ONE TIME DURING AN OUTDOOR EVENT SOME FOLKS WATCHED MY CAR FOR ENTERTAINMENT FOR 4 HOURS AND DURING THAT TIME PERIOD IT OPENED AND CLOSED ITSELF 14 TIMES. WE HAVE HAD THE DOOR WORKED ON MANY TIMES AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THE DOCUMENTATION. THE WHEELS ON MY DOOR HAVE BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE REPLACED MY CAR BATTERY AND THE BATTERIES OF BOTH KEY FOBS. RIGHT NOW IT HAS BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT 60 DAYS

NHTSA ID

10364668

Incident

Nov 29, 2006