RoadVitals

2006 Pontiac Montana

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
37
Latest Oct 10, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 19, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 37 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Pontiac Montana, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 668 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical813.6%
  • Engine711.9%
  • Brakes58.5%
  • Body & structure58.5%
  • Suspension58.5%
  • Driver assistance58.5%
  • Fuel system46.8%
  • Tires & wheels46.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V110000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Mar 19, 2010
5,375 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
The risk: A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF RETROFIT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN AT 1-800-488-0359.
BRAUN CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
05V552000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Dec 7, 2005
32,068 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05109View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA07019ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER SLIDING DOOR

Opened Dec 11, 2007
Closed Feb 23, 2009

ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOORS NOT PROPERLY OPENING OR CLOSING AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO DOORS OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE CONDITION OF THE PSD REVERSING DIRECTION DURING THE CLOSING SEQUENCE IS CONSISTENT WITH AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOOR, OR WITH IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE DOOR, AND THIS IS ADDRESSED IN GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 07-08-64-007 AND BULLETINS # 07-08-64-007A THROUGH D.ODI'S EVALUATION OF THE PSD SYSTEM NOTES NUMEROUS SAFEGUARDS TO PRECLUDE BOTH UNINTENTIONAL AND INTENTIONAL POWER OPENING OF THE PSD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.A SAFETY-DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.[SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.]

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PE07044ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

Opened Aug 16, 2007
Closed Dec 11, 2007

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND LATCHED BEFORE DRIVING AWAY CAUSING THE DOOR TO REVERSE (OPEN) AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS.HOWEVER, OTHER REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS INITIALLY SHUT THEN OPENED AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND/OR MILES AT VEHICLE SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-019) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 37
Filed Oct 10, 2020

WHEN HAVING MY OIL CHANGED AT A GARAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT BOTH FRAME RAILS HAD SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. SINCE THIS IS WHAT GIVES THE UNIBODY FRAME IT'S STRENGTH, WHY DIDN'T GM ZINC COAT THEM OR APPLY RUST PROOFING? I LIVE IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN WHERE THEY USE SALT ON THE ROADS IN WINTER. SEEING GM IS ALSO IN MICHIGAN YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THIS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY? THE ONLY REASON I CAN THINK OF IS TO SAVE MONEY, INCREASE PROFITS, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE VEHICLE BEING SAFE FOR THE CONSUMER. I DON'T SEE DESIGNING THE FRAME RAILS TO LAST FOR 20-25 YEARS FOR SAFETY REASONS AS BEING UNREASONABLE.

NHTSA ID
11363656
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
199,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2020

WHEN IT'S COLD AND YOU START THE VEHICLE I GET A MESSAGE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. SOM ETIMES WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT IS WARMED UP IT WILL DO THIS AND YOU HAVE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IF YOU TRY TO GIVE IT GAS IT WON'T GO ANYWAYS. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND CARS ARE RIGHT ON YOUR ASS. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE BUT I WAS ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
11306546
Incident
Nov 13, 2019
Mileage
199,203 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11287206
Incident
Nov 26, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2019

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, OR AFTER AWHILE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL COME UP AND READ REDUCED ENGINE POWER THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE IT WILL NOT LET YOU ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT, IT WILL BE FINE AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN RESTART. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE ON A SIDE STREET OR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT JUST RANDOMLY DOES THIS.

NHTSA ID
11175704
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSeat belts
Filed Aug 13, 2018

THE DASH KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STABILITY SYSTEM NEED TO BE CHECKED. I HAVE WIRING ISSUES FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LIGHTS, THEY COME ON AND OFF. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ PROPERLY ALL THE TIME AND NOW MOST RECENTLY THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALARM DOES NOT REGISTER THAT THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THESE ISSUES MOVING AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11119519
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 5, 2016

TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF EXTREME SIDEWALL SPLITS THAT COULD HAVE LED TO TIRE BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TIRES WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO STORE WHERE BOUGHT ALTHOUGH NOT OPTIMISTIC THEY WILL REPLACE THEM. DUNLOP SIGNATURE SERIES II ALL SEASON

NHTSA ID
10818124
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Mileage
116,258 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARDD DEVELOPED CRACKS IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10748386
Incident
Jan 10, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 21, 2015

KEEP SAYING SERVICE PARKING LITE CHANGE LIGHT BULB CHECK FUSES CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10735618
Incident
Jul 7, 2015

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT3532C

This PI directs technician to training regarding sliding door operation.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Montana by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008110—
2007011—
2006Viewing372248.7
2005817363.1
2004395162.1
2003847158.5
20021265152.8
200115611160.0
20002287463.1
19992357762.8
1998493858.4
1997181248.8

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.