2005 Pontiac Montana Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Montana, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure2117.6%
- Interior & seats2117.6%
- Electrical1714.3%
- Airbags75.9%
- Brakes75.9%
- Engine75.9%
- Driver assistance65.0%
- Seat belts54.2%
- Other / unspecified54.2%
- Powertrain (other)54.2%
- Fuel system43.4%
- Suspension43.4%
- Visibility32.5%
- Exterior lighting32.5%
- Transmission21.7%
- Tires & wheels10.8%
- Steering10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
[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).'
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND IS FLUCATING AND THE DASH READING IS SAYING THINGS. ITS ALL MESSED UP
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 .
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
[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).'
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS TO REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY KEEP WEARING OUT. HE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT STABILIZER HAS FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
2005 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6 AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING, BAD SENSOR AND BROKE CABLE WAS REPLACED. *CW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE FAILED, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND MISFIRING. A BAD PLUG AND THE STABILIZING BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS CRACKED WHICH WAS CAUSING A LOUD KNOCKING AND THUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD THE SEATS REPLACED WITH AN AFTER MARKET LEATHER KIT BECAUSE STAINS HAD FORMED ON THE SEATS DUE TO MOISTURE. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE THE AFTER MARKET KIT COULD CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD AN ANNOYING WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VAN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND EXTREMELY WINDY DAYS. NUMEROUS COMPLAIMTS WITH NO RESULTS UNTIL WINDSHEILD WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE WINDSHEILD, A LARGE GAP IN THE SEALANT/ADHESIVE WAS DISCOVERED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER PORTION OF THE WINSHEILD, MOST LIKELY THE START AND FINISH POINTS OF THE ROBOT. SINCE THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT PROBLEM HAS DISSAPPEARED. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE ON THE DRIVER SIDE, PASSENGER SIDE, AND IN THE REAR VENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, WHO COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND A CLAIM # WAS PROVIDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE SAME AND CONTINUOUSLY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2005 MONTANA. FLICKERING INTERIOR LIGHTS, ABS SYSTEM FAILURE (4X), RETORQUE HARMONIC BALANCER, REPLACE RADIO THAT RANDOMLY CHANGED STATIONS, REPLACE MOLDING ON ALL DOORS FROM RUST (2X), RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (2X), REPLACE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS (2X), REPLACE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, REPLACE STRAP ON REAR DOOR THAT FELL OFF. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH IT NOT TURNING OVER AS WELL, GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR, AND EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN INTO THE SHOP THEY ARE 'UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM' AND SEND ME HOME WHERE OF COURSE IT FAILS TO TURN OVER BUT WON'T DO IT WHEN THEY HAVE IT IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE DATE OF THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE. *TR
WHISTLE NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AROUND 60 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEAL, DOOR SEAL, AND A GASKET UNDER THE HOOD BUT THIS HAS NOT HELPED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HEAR THE WHISTLE UNLESS THEY DROVE IT 90 MPH!!! I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH PONTIAC'S DESIGN AND IT CAN NOT BE FIXED. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T STAY SHUT AND DOESN'T OPEN WHEN OUTSIDE HANDLE IS PULLED AND MOTOR RUNNING TOO LONG AND GRINDING AFTER DOOR HAS CLOSED. THE DOOR MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED YET THERE IS STILL A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE DOOR SHUTS. HEADLIGHTS SURGING CAUSING ME TO CONSTANTLY BE BRIGHT LIGHTED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL!*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. IT SEEMS TO STALL EVERYTIME IT TRIES TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO VERIFIED THAT THE SECOND GEAR IS SKIPPING BUT THEY SAID THEY WERE FIXING THE SAME TYPE OF VAN (OLDER MODEL) WITH 100,000 MORE MILES THAN MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR LEFT SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ELECTRIC STARTER MOTOR STAYED ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED 4 TIMES TO MAKE THE STARTER RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.*AK THE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE DOOR CHIME WOULD REMAIN ON. THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. UPDATED 01/17/07. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO FLICKER AND NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. PREVIOUSLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER TWELVE TIMES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. UPDATED 10/14/2006 - THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TO TRY TO ALLEVIATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE REAR POWER WINDOWS SOMETIME WOULD NOT OPEN OR SHUT, THE REAR WASHER AND WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRES, MOTORS REGULATORS, ETC. BU THE PROBLEMS RECURRED. THE CONSUEMR WAS GIVEN A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE TIRES STARTED CUPPING AND CAUSED SERIOUS ROAD NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. THE DEALR REPLACED THE MAIN SEAL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .