NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
126 reports104,255 miles · Sep 12, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012, I SMELLED STRONG GAS FUMES IN MY KITCHEN WHICH IS BY MY CARPORT. I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK AND SEE WHERE THE OVERWHELMING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. TIME I STEPPED OUT THE DOOR TO MY CARPORT WHERE MY VAN IS PARKED, I WENT TO MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN AND BEGAN LOOKING AND SNIFFING ARO…
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EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012, I SMELLED STRONG GAS FUMES IN MY KITCHEN WHICH IS BY MY CARPORT. I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK AND SEE WHERE THE OVERWHELMING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. TIME I STEPPED OUT THE DOOR TO MY CARPORT WHERE MY VAN IS PARKED, I WENT TO MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN AND BEGAN LOOKING AND SNIFFING AROUND AND UNDER IT. TO MY SHOCK AND SURPRISE THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND FROM GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE INLET CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND CRY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF ANYTHING THAT COULD IGNITE OR START A FIRE AND THE EXPOSURE TO THE FUMES THAT WOULD ENDANGER MY FAMILY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY MECHANIC FOR HELP AND HE CAN OVER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE VALVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INLET AND TANK WAS LEAKING. HE THEN WENT ONLINE TO CHECK ON A POSSIBLE PART FOR THE FUEL TANK AND CAME ACROSS A RECALL CHECK. WE BOTH READ THE INFORMATION AND I CALLED PONTIAC ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10,2012 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM MY DEEPEST CONCERN ABOUT THE LEAK FROM MY FUEL TANK. THEY CONTACTED A DEALER AND HE TALKED WITH A AREA REPRESENTATIVE, SHE SAID MY SPECIAL WARRANTY EXPIRED JULY 27, 2012 FOR 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES CLAIMING THEY SENT IT OUT IN JANUARY 30, 2008 IN WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED AT ALL. AT THE DEALER I GOT A ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK PRICE AT $800.00 INCLUDING LABOR COST. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED AT FIRST $1500.00 TOWARD A NEW CAR, THEN OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF A FUEL TANK AND LABOR. I NOW NEED ADVICE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475155
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2012
StructureVisibility
2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WINDSHIELD *TGW LAST NOVEMBER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DIAGONALLY TOWARD THE LEFT LOWER CORNER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THE WINDSHIELD HAD RELEASED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT …
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2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WINDSHIELD *TGW LAST NOVEMBER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DIAGONALLY TOWARD THE LEFT LOWER CORNER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THE WINDSHIELD HAD RELEASED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROOF/GLASS OPENING WAS RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED BEFORE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE GLASS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN SPECIFYING THAT THE ROOF WAS TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE CONDITION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10462658
188,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT GLASS COMPANY, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE NEW WINDSHIELD BECAUSE IT WOULD INCREASE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT GLASS COMPANY, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE NEW WINDSHIELD BECAUSE IT WOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERING OR SEPARATING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 188,000.
NHTSA ODI #10447043
141,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #10428050
122,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. IT NOW GIVES ME A READING OF EITHER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS OR AN EMPTY TANK OF GAS. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING TO THE FUEL GAUGE GOING BAD. THE INCORRECT FUEL READING OCCURS AT EVERY START UP, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN INCORRECT GAUGE…
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I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. IT NOW GIVES ME A READING OF EITHER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS OR AN EMPTY TANK OF GAS. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING TO THE FUEL GAUGE GOING BAD. THE INCORRECT FUEL READING OCCURS AT EVERY START UP, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN INCORRECT GAUGE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I HAVE NOT MADE A REPAIR AS OF THIS TIME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS FAULTY. FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 2011. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398769
72,800 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Air Bags
I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THIS MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODE. THERE IS ANY OTHER OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS 2002 MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386498
90,342 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED VERSION. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS WET FROM GASOLINE UNDER FUEL TANK INLET TUBE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07V349000 WHICH HAD THE DESCRIPTION OF TH…
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I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED VERSION. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS WET FROM GASOLINE UNDER FUEL TANK INLET TUBE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07V349000 WHICH HAD THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM I HAD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND THE TANK WAS REMOVED AND A NEW GAS TANK WAS ORDERED. I WAS CALLED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS THE EXTENDED MODEL AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $1,100.00. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND HE REPLIED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE, BUT THAT THE EXTENDED LENGTH MONTANA WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL THE OLD TANK AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380018
95,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE OVERFLOWING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE OVERFLOWING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10368208
120,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT 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
NHTSA ODI #10353219
195,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR TEN MINUTES AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR TEN MINUTES AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER AND POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPERATE BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,000.
NHTSA ODI #10347829