2002 Pontiac Montana EXT-AWD 3.4L

Summary:

Very good family vehicle

Faults:

Intermttent Power Mirror switch. (Passenger side)

Driver side wiper kept loosening.

General Comments:

Bought used, Was an GM courtesy vehicle for NHRA officials. Vehicle has had no major problems. Great in the snow, gas mileage is about 19-20 mpg combined driving. Very good family vehicle.

Does need better designed headlights, Pattern is poor. Need to drive with the driving lights on to properly light up the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd June, 2004

14th Jan 2005, 21:13

Randy Young, Sask. Canada.

Previously owned 99 Montana van. Had minor problems, but it never left me stranded. Had a major scare one winter when I tried slowing down to turn. It was slippery so the ABS kicked in. But When it did, it stalled the engine. That was when the brake pedal bottomed out. I had no brakes! It was taken to the dealer and it hasn't happened since. Other than that, it is a decent vehicle. One thing really surprises me is that this van starts in -34 degree Celcius weather without plugging in.

I recently bought a used 2002 AWD Montana with about 61000 miles. I haven't used it long enough to predict reliability, but It is very nice to drive on snow. That Traction control is GARBAGE on my 99. I stepped on it hard to get across a busy intersection when the TCS kicked in and slowed me down. The 4 wheel disk brakes were very positive compared to my 99. The only thing that seems strange is a whine noise from the back at about 50mph. I'm guessing it could be rear end, but only time will tell. Good thing you can buy extra warranty on used cars at your GM dealer. Otherwise, I would have never considered buying a used vehicle.

27th May 2008, 01:43

I've owned my 2002 Montana AWD for 3 years now. One thing is for certain, if I buy another one please shoot me. It has been to the shop on several problems.

- Rear drive module

- Steering rack

- Blower fan replaced

- No rear heat

- Poor vent air flow. Fixed under TSB

- Rad hose popped off from engine. Some coolant loss

- Various hubs, speed sensor, broken wires fixed or replaced

- Alternator

- Head gaskets

- Rear drive module fluid change. That stuff costs $60/500ml bottle in Canada

- A/C compressor

- A/C condenser

- 2 recalls. Power sliding door handle & rear ball joints. I was told that a wheel alignment was required after the ball joint change, and it wasn't covered by the recall.

The above things were covered under GMPP

What was not covered (after warranty).

- AWD disable. Actuator switch replaced. $500 cdn

- A/C condenser leaking. Apparently the oil in the cooling system is visible under UV light. The part is only 3 years old! $1100 cdn

Of all the vehicles my family and I have owned/driven. 83 Mustang, 84 GMC Vandure, 85 tempo, 87 Daytona, 89 5th Avenue, 90 Volvo, 93 94 Grand Cherokee, 97 Neon, 99 Montana (this one was okay) 03 SX-2.0 (Neon), the 2002 Pontiac Montana is the worst I have owned. It has not left me stranded... Yet! Knock on wood. But it is inconvenient and expensive, now that it is off warranty.

2002 Pontiac Montana Extended Van 3.4L Gas

Summary:

It was a bargain, but you get what you pay for

Faults:

Power sliding door did not function on the day I picked up the vehicle from the dealer. (8000 miles)

Engine Oil leak at 12,000 miles. Replaced the oil pan and gasket.

Engine Oil leak at 12,100 miles. Replaced the oil pan and gasket again.

Engine Oil leak at 12,200 miles. Replaced the rear main seal and it seems to have corrected the problem.

Power steering pump had to be replaced at 22,000.

DVD screen had to be replaced at 22,500 miles.

AC Condenser had to be replaced at 30,000 miles.

Noticed a leak at lower intake manifold and dealer confirmed it. Will have this repair completed before the warranty expires.

General Comments:

OK, so maybe the dealer was at fault for not diagnosing and properly fixing the engine oil leak the first time.

The vehicle was a bargain with the lower interest rates and rebates.

My kids absolutely love the DVD player.

I traded in a perfectly reliable Chevy Suburban for this and am very disappointed. I would definitely consider going back to GM's trucks, but never a mini-van again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th October, 2003

27th Feb 2007, 19:27

I own a 2002 Pontiac Montana mini van that I bought new. It has 64,000 miles on it and the dealer just told me it will cost $2,900.00 to fix the transmission. I owned a 1997 GMC 1/2 ton pick up and I had to replace the transmission in that truck three times. I've been a GM fan my whole life, but I can't afford to be one anymore.