Faults:

Leaking anti-freeze for about 2yrs, slight exhaust donut gasket leak from front bank, steering shutter when turning, LED display on radio out for 2 yrs, sound goes up real loud if you use the radio controls, but not if you use the ones on the steering wheel, very hard to steer at low speeds, and now the ever present knocking noise from the upper half of the engine, 5 sets of front wheel bearings, the check engine light, ABS and the traction control lights have been on for about 2 yrs. I think that about covers it.

General Comments:

Generally our Montana has been a good vehicle, it does have 219,000 miles on it, and my mechanic wanted to put intake and head gaskets on it 2 years ago at about 198,000 miles. I have drove the crap out of this van for 5 nearly trouble free years. I guess I am lucky compared to some of the posts I have read on this site. Believe it or not the original spark-plugs and wires are still on and I was getting 22.9 mpg! Basically now it is worthless to try and trade because of the miles and the very dist-inked knock it now has. Looking into a junkyard engine, for about $650.00 with 62,000 miles on it from a wrecked 2004. Will have to replace the rack and pinion also as it is shot too. $65.00 used. I do most of my own work... but not this time.

Faults:

The radio displays all kinds of hieroglyphics from time to time as well as the correct radio station and time.

The outer constant velocity joint boot-passengers side- was replaced after two thousand km.

A loose wire on the rear window wiper/washer motor was the cause of the rear washer not working.

The air bag warning light comes on sometimes and stays on after initial start-up.

General Comments:

The van handles well, has brisk acceleration and has very good brakes.

Mileage is acceptable for the purpose it is used for.

It is very comfortable, but could use more legroom in the front seats. Had it been an extended model, I'm sure this would not have been a problem.

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 132,766 kms (2 weeks after purchase!!).

Factory CD player stopped working at 132,766 kms.

Ignition wire set was replaced at 137,176 kms.

Left front door lock was repaired and wiring for passenger side power (automatic) sliding door was replaced at 144,235 kms.

The air bags no longer function due to wiring fault at 144,235 kms.

The outer tie rod ends were replaced at 144,781 kms.

Intake manifold-lower gasket-was replaced at 144,781 kms.

Air conditioning seals failed rendering air conditioner inoperable at 155,211 kms.

Water pump was replaced at 163,014 kms.

Oxygen sensors were replaced at 171,000 kms.

Ignition wiring set was replaced at 181,724 kms.

Transmission failed and was replaced AGAIN!! at 185,150 kms.

The head gasket blew at at 187,000 kms.

Gas indicator gauge stopped working at about 190,000 kms.

The interior lights no longer operate.

The passenger side power sliding door won't stay closed anymore when power is engaged. Door is operable manually only.

Driver side window is inoperable. A regulator assembly is required to repair this problem, but we have not done this repair as it is too costly.

Trunk lock sometimes will not unlock, not even with a key, so you're stuck not being able to access the back of the van except through passenger sliding doors.

The transmission still hangs when shifting from 1st to second gear.

General Comments:

On the plus side, this van handles well, looks good, and it is roomy and comfortable.

On the minus side, mechanically, this van has been an expensive nightmare.

We actually had the head gasket pressure tested before we repaired the transmission for a second time as we heard that head gasket failure is a common problem with this van. Since the test came back fine, we went ahead and repaired the transmission; however, a month later, the head gasket blew!