IllustrationPASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE - GRINDING. *TR
2002 Pontiac Montana
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Montana do not stand out strongly from 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
120–25K
1525–50K
3050–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
5150K+
86 reports with mileage · 40 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
Power Train complaints
11 reportsFRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 20 MONTHS, AND CONSTANT ABS SENSOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME. ALSO BRAKES KEEP WEARING QUICKLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
2002 MONTANA GASKET WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*MR TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON THE MINIVAN. HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER SMALLER REPAIRS, WHICH CONSUMER BELIEVE WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER ERROR. *BF
MY FAMILY TOOK OUR VAN ON A WEEK LONG VACATION TO FLORIDA WHILE I STAYED AT HOME. RIGHT AFTER THEY LEFT MY WIFE CALLED TO SAY THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON IN THE DASH. I CALLED A LOCAL MECHANIC TO GET AN IDEA OF HOW BAD THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE AND HE INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE TOO BAD BUT GET IT LOOKED AT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM …
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MY FAMILY TOOK OUR VAN ON A WEEK LONG VACATION TO FLORIDA WHILE I STAYED AT HOME. RIGHT AFTER THEY LEFT MY WIFE CALLED TO SAY THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON IN THE DASH. I CALLED A LOCAL MECHANIC TO GET AN IDEA OF HOW BAD THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE AND HE INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE TOO BAD BUT GET IT LOOKED AT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THE TRIP. UPON HER RETURN MY WIFE TOOK IT IN THE THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VAN AND THEY REPLACED A BEARING IN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE HUB AREA OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE VAN HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,451 MILES ON IT WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS FELL OUTSIDE OF THE MILES COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. ALTHOUGH, IT WAS STILL WITHIN THE 3-YRS OF COVERED WARRANTY JUST NOT COVERED BY THE MILES WE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS REPAIR AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THE TYPES OF ROADS IN THIS AREA. I TOLD THEM THAT I DID NOT LIKE THAT ANSWER. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I FELT I HAD A COMPLAINT I COULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE BACK OF THE OWNERS MANULE. TO WHICH I HAVE DONE: PHONE CALL LETTER TO GM FOLLOW-UP PHONE CALL TO GM NOW NHTSA . *AK
I PURCHASED A PONTAIC MONTANA FROM ROGERS PONTAIC IN CHICAGO IN MARCH 2002. IN MAY OF 2003 I BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRIST OCCASION OCCURED IN MAY OF 2003.(REPAIRED,BUT THE VECHICLE DID NOT OPERATE THE WAY I THOUGHT IT SHOULD) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PONTAIC DEALER - GROSSINGER IN LINCOLNWOOD, IL. BU…
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I PURCHASED A PONTAIC MONTANA FROM ROGERS PONTAIC IN CHICAGO IN MARCH 2002. IN MAY OF 2003 I BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRIST OCCASION OCCURED IN MAY OF 2003.(REPAIRED,BUT THE VECHICLE DID NOT OPERATE THE WAY I THOUGHT IT SHOULD) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PONTAIC DEALER - GROSSINGER IN LINCOLNWOOD, IL. BUT, THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK) THE SECOND BEING NOVEMBER OF 2003. ( THE REPAIR WORK DONE WAS GREAT! THE VECHICLE WORKED AS GOOD AS WHEN IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED) BUT, I HAVE BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE HERE IN AUGUST 2004. THIS HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT A DEFECT IS IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VECHICLE. MY ONLY SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR THE MANUFACTURER (PONTAIC - GMC) TO REPLACE THE VECHICLE WITH A NEW ONE. I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUALLY HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED. AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF A DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE VECHICLE WAS PURCHASE.
THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALREADY PUT 4 NEW TIRES ON IT AND ALSO NEW BRAKES AND SHOES ALL AROUND. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN THERE WAS 35,000 ON THE VAN.*AK
WE OUGHT THE VAN AS A PROGRAM WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT,WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK ALL THE TIME MEANING SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT. SAME THING FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THE AIR CONDITION DEVELOPED A SLOE LEAK THAT PROGRESSED WITHIN WEEKS,WE NOW HAVE NO AIR AT ALL A…
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WE OUGHT THE VAN AS A PROGRAM WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT,WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK ALL THE TIME MEANING SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT. SAME THING FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THE AIR CONDITION DEVELOPED A SLOE LEAK THAT PROGRESSED WITHIN WEEKS,WE NOW HAVE NO AIR AT ALL AND THE PART ALOE IS GOING TO COST $400.00. IN OCTOBER OF 2003 ON OUR WAY TO A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL,IT HAD NOT BEEN LEAKING OR ACTING UP IN ANY WAY IT MADE A THUD SOUND GOING DOWN THE HIWAY AND THAT WAS IT..NO MORE TRANSMISSION $4,000.00 TO REPAIR.
THERE ARE MODULES THAT WE KEEP HAVING TROUBLE WITH. THEY LOCK & UNLOCK DOORS WHILE DRIVING, LOCK IN IGNITION KEY RECEIVER, TURN ON AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND DISENGAGE THEM, SHOW "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT, ETC..I AM TOLD THEY CONTROL THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO. THEY ARE A VITAL PART TO THE CAR\\'S SAFTEY BECAUSE THEY CONTROL SO MAN…
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THERE ARE MODULES THAT WE KEEP HAVING TROUBLE WITH. THEY LOCK & UNLOCK DOORS WHILE DRIVING, LOCK IN IGNITION KEY RECEIVER, TURN ON AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND DISENGAGE THEM, SHOW "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT, ETC..I AM TOLD THEY CONTROL THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO. THEY ARE A VITAL PART TO THE CAR\\'S SAFTEY BECAUSE THEY CONTROL SO MANY ELEMENTS OF THE CAR. THE TRANMISSION HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEM. WHEELS SPIN FIRST AND THEN ENGINE LOCKS IN A FEW SECONDS LATER. THEY TRIED TO REPAIR IT TWICE, THEN WE DROVE JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO BRING CAR BACK (SERVICE RECORDS DO NOT SHOW THIS AS AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE) AND HAD TOO BRING IT BACK AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AND REFUSE TO CONSIDER THE CAR A LEMON BECAUSE A NEW TRANSMISSION IS BEING PUT IN. WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR AND CONSIDER IT UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. A NEW TRANSMISSION ONLY ADDRESSES ONE OF THE PROBLEMS. WE WANT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR NOW, AND WE HAVE HAD A RENTAL CAR FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. ALTOGETHER, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR ABOUT 43 DAYS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT..JUST ONE YEAR!!
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60,00 MILES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE SNOW. *NLM WHEN THE ABS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BRAKE SAFELY, AND THE FOUR/ALL WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT HAVE THE TRACTION TO GO U…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE SNOW. *NLM WHEN THE ABS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BRAKE SAFELY, AND THE FOUR/ALL WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT HAVE THE TRACTION TO GO UP A HILL. ( ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD FAIL AT ANY TIME) SCC
Official recalls
307V349000 · 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.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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.