IllustrationDEXCOOL COOLANT LEAKAGE SIGNS OUT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD, SERVICE PROFESSIONAL REPORTED IT AS A PROBLEM WITH GM 3.4 ENGINES AND WOULD LEAD TO COSTLY ENGINE REPAIR IF NOT FIXED. REPLACED GASKETS ETC COST $956. 66000 KLM. *NM
2001 Pontiac Montana
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Montana years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Montana are substantially higher than the model-year median of 65.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Montana years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2525–50K
2450–75K
1275–100K
15100–150K
7150K+
91 reports with mileage · 65 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports17 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reportsCOOLANT LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *NM
VEHICLE WAS NOT PRODUCING HEAT FOR OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT. NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH PRIOR KNOWLEDGE FROM YOUR SITE REGARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ISSUES WITH THE MONTANA AND OTHER GM VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED, AND IS LEAKING COOLANT. NO COOLANT EVER REACHED THE GROUN…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS NOT PRODUCING HEAT FOR OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT. NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH PRIOR KNOWLEDGE FROM YOUR SITE REGARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ISSUES WITH THE MONTANA AND OTHER GM VEHICLES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED, AND IS LEAKING COOLANT. NO COOLANT EVER REACHED THE GROUND, AS IT WAS EVAPORATING ON THE ENGINE. THERE IS A PETITION IN LINE WITH OVER 10,00 SIGNATURES REQUESTING A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *NM
I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE VAN DEVELOPED A LEAK OF A RED/PINK FLUID. I TOOK IT IN TO THE PLACE WHERE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN TO A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER WHO ALSO FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LOWER GASKET WENT BAD. IT WOULD TAKE 1200 TO 1500 USD TO REPLACE IT. BOTH THE LOC…
Read full complaint
I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE VAN DEVELOPED A LEAK OF A RED/PINK FLUID. I TOOK IT IN TO THE PLACE WHERE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN TO A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER WHO ALSO FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LOWER GASKET WENT BAD. IT WOULD TAKE 1200 TO 1500 USD TO REPLACE IT. BOTH THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND THE GOODYEAR TIRE DEALERSHIP THAT FIRST CHANGED MY OIL SAID THAT IT THEY FOUND IT A COMMON REPLACEMENT ON THIS ENGINE, THE 3.4 L GM. *NM
BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH 102,400 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THREE DAYS OF OWNERSHIP THE INTAKE GASKETS ARE BLOWN. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $700-$900 WITHOUT KNOWING IT HAS DONE MORE DAMAGE THAN THAT. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A WEBSITE THAT OVER 9600 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SAME ENGINE 3.4L V6.…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH 102,400 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THREE DAYS OF OWNERSHIP THE INTAKE GASKETS ARE BLOWN. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $700-$900 WITHOUT KNOWING IT HAS DONE MORE DAMAGE THAN THAT. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A WEBSITE THAT OVER 9600 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SAME ENGINE 3.4L V6. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FROM GM AND I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE. WHY ARE WE STUCK WITH A BILL THAT HIGH, WHEN IT SUPPOSEDLY GOT RECTIFIED IN 2002 VEHICLES. I AM SURE THAT THERE IS MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD AND INTAKE GASKETS ON THESE VEHICLES THAT HAS NOT YET SIGNED THE PETITION. THE WEBSITE ADDRESS IS: HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/GMCNSMRS/PETITION.HTML PLEASE REVIEW! THANK YOU. *NM
CAR BEGAN LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS RUN HOT (BETWEEN THE HALF WAY MARK AND THE RED AREA OF THE GAUGE). THE CAR FINALLY OVERHEATED. THE DEA…
Read full complaint
CAR BEGAN LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS RUN HOT (BETWEEN THE HALF WAY MARK AND THE RED AREA OF THE GAUGE). THE CAR FINALLY OVERHEATED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER THE BURP TANK WAS NEARLY FULL, WITH NO SPILLAGE. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT IT OVERHEATED BECAUSE OF THE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE GASKET TO A TUNE OF $1,376.00. THE CAR STILL RUNS TOO HOT IN MY OPINION, BUT HAS NOT YET OVERHEATED. *NM
I BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA W/40,900 MI.IN JULY 2004, ON 8/18/2005 THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT W/44,800MI.I TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE WHERE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, BECAUSE OF THE "WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.4L ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM" I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF $1325.00, GM SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY $…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA W/40,900 MI.IN JULY 2004, ON 8/18/2005 THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT W/44,800MI.I TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE WHERE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, BECAUSE OF THE "WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.4L ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM" I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF $1325.00, GM SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY $300.00
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING CAUSING DEXCOOL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE. GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER. SERVICE BULLETIN # 03-06-01-010 BE AWARE!!!!! BULLETIN SAYS NEW GASKET MUST BE MADE FROM A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MATERIAL IN ORDER TO CORREC…
Read full complaint
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING CAUSING DEXCOOL TO LEAK INTO ENGINE. GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER. SERVICE BULLETIN # 03-06-01-010 BE AWARE!!!!! BULLETIN SAYS NEW GASKET MUST BE MADE FROM A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MATERIAL IN ORDER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS???? SOMTHING HAS TO BE DONE!
I OWN A 2000 CHEVY LUMINA AND A 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA BOTH HAVE 6 CYLINDER ENGINES AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET ON BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES. ONE HAS 50,000 MILES AND THE OTHER HAS 70,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC THAT DID THE REPAIRS SAID HE IS REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET GM'S 6 CYLINDER VEHICLES ALL THE TIME.
I TOOK MY VAN FOR A FREE SAFETY CHECK AND THE MECHANIC SAID I HAD AN INTAKE LEAK WHICH COULD DO SOME MAJOR DAMAGE IF IT WASN'T REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY AGREED IT WAS LEAKING, AND FOUND A TIE ROD PROBLEM. ALONG WITH THOSE PROBLEMS THEY SAID MY TENSIONER ON MY FRONT SEAT BELT BROKE. THESE REPAIRS ARE OVE…
Read full complaint
I TOOK MY VAN FOR A FREE SAFETY CHECK AND THE MECHANIC SAID I HAD AN INTAKE LEAK WHICH COULD DO SOME MAJOR DAMAGE IF IT WASN'T REPAIRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY AGREED IT WAS LEAKING, AND FOUND A TIE ROD PROBLEM. ALONG WITH THOSE PROBLEMS THEY SAID MY TENSIONER ON MY FRONT SEAT BELT BROKE. THESE REPAIRS ARE OVER $1,000. IF ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I WOULD SURE LIKE AN EXPLANATION. MY DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS. THAT SURE SOUNDS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED!*AK
Official recalls
907V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Aug 8, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.
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.
03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
Jul 15, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD 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, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
02V329000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 9, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.
01V383000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Dec 13, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS BUILT WITH SECOND ROW 50/50 SPLIT BENCH SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR WIRE DIAMETER IS GREATER THAN 6.1 MM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LATCH ANCHOR WIRES AND REPAIR THOSE WITH AN IMPROPER DIAMETER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 10, 2002. 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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.
01V026000 · Air Bags:frontal
Feb 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANT. A MODULE WITH NO GENERANT WOULD NOT INFLATE THE AIR BAG, AND THE OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO OWNERS ON JANUARY 29, 2001. FOLLOW UP OWNER MAILING BEGAN ON APRIL 17, 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 SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
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.
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
1PE04064 · 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.