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2000 Pontiac Montana

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Montana years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Montana are substantially higher than the model-year median of 65.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

108 reports with mileage · 120 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports4 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

228 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR VENTS. DEALER DETERMINED THE REAR WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED, CAUSED BY WATER INTRUSION IN REAR QUARTER PANEL. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001706

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKS CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001652

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Electrical System

IGNITION SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING, SPEED SLOW OR FAST. USUALLY RESTARTS AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION, NOT ALWAYS. INFO CENTER DISPLAYS "SECURITY" OR "SERVICE TRACTION SOON". IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED 2X. DT

NHTSA ODI #769804

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2002
Exterior LightingCrash

WE WERE IN A COLLISION (NOT AT FAULT) IN WHICH WE HIT HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFLATED. THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND WE ARE WAITING IF IT IS REPAIRABLE OR WILL BE TOTALED. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD THE AIRBAGS CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE T…

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WE WERE IN A COLLISION (NOT AT FAULT) IN WHICH WE HIT HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFLATED. THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND WE ARE WAITING IF IT IS REPAIRABLE OR WILL BE TOTALED. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD THE AIRBAGS CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE MAJOR INJURIES, BUT DO FEEL THE INJURIES WE DID RECEIVE WOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED IF THE AIRBAGS HAD WORKED PROPERLY. MANY OF THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT WERE SHOCKED THAT IN SUCH A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. WE FEEL THERE MUST BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. DT

NHTSA ODI #769435

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Electrical System

VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE CHANGES/REPAIRS WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY REOCCUR FROM WEEKS TO SIX MONTHS. STALLING STARTED AT 7,000 MILES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018662

86,000 miles · Aug 6, 2002
Suspension

VEHICLE WAS MOVING 5MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK, AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS REAR AXLE BRACKET SNAPPING DUE TO STRESS. *AK *JG

NHTSA ODI #8015571

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Air Bags

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS INDICATES THAT AIR BAGS WILL BE INOPERATIVE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CONTACTED, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT OR NINE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE EVERYTHING PER GENERAL MOTORS. THIS VEHICLE WAS A PROGRAM VEHI…

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AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS INDICATES THAT AIR BAGS WILL BE INOPERATIVE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CONTACTED, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT OR NINE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE EVERYTHING PER GENERAL MOTORS. THIS VEHICLE WAS A PROGRAM VEHICLE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 4000 MILES WITH THE GM OWNER BEFROE IT WAS SOLD TO THE CONSUMER. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8015470

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Power Train

WE HAVE REPEATEDLY REPORTED TO BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MFR. THAT WHEN OUR TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE, OUR VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD EVEN IF ONLY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. IT ALSO ROLLS FORWARD WHEN IN REVERSE. WHEN THE INCLINE IS STEEP, YOU ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP GOING IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR. IT IS AS IF WE HAVE A M…

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WE HAVE REPEATEDLY REPORTED TO BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MFR. THAT WHEN OUR TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE, OUR VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD EVEN IF ONLY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. IT ALSO ROLLS FORWARD WHEN IN REVERSE. WHEN THE INCLINE IS STEEP, YOU ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP GOING IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR. IT IS AS IF WE HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A CLUTCH. IT IS DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE IS IN FRONT OF US WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO BACK UP OR VICE VERSA. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. I HAVE TEST DRIVEN OTHER MANUFACTURER'S VANS AND IT NEVER HAPPENS. I KEEP BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND IT IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS ENGINEERED TO CONSERVE FUEL. IT IS A HAZARD THAT I CAN'T SEEM TO GET FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765243

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FLUID. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. IT WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8014732

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Child Seat

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT TOP LATCH CAN BE UNDONE IF TUGGED ON. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8014698

Official recalls

5

04V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Dec 22, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Aug 21, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Mar 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

00V228003 · Seat Belts

Aug 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

99V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 29, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS WITH EXTENDED WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INOPERATIVE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVES AND FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD EXCEED THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT IN A ROLLOVER TEST. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO LOCATE AND REPLACE THOSE FUEL TANKS THAT COULD HAVE INOPERATIVE ROLLOVER VALVES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door

Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip

Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

No summary supplied.

EA01014 · Air Bag Inflator

Opened Jun 11, 2001 · Closed Aug 26, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

No summary supplied.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door

Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available