1999 Pontiac Montana from North America

Summary:

A real headache

Faults:

My van is overheating and the shop doesn't know why.

General Comments:

My van has been in the shop about 25 times since February. The temperature gage has been rocking back and forth. The mechanics at one shop told us it had an air leak, so they bled it 3 different times. Then they told us that the lower intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. Then a week later, same problem arose. We took it back to the shop and they said they needed to replace the thermostat and the water pump. A week after that, the same problem arose. Took it back and they said it was a wiring problem cause by a bad tail light. A week after that we had to take it back to the shop. This time they told us that we needed a new head gasket.

We took the van to another shop and they ran tests on it and said that the engine was fine. They said that is needed a new water pump, coolant sender and radiator cap. They also said that we have a bad temperature gage and to ignore it. We got it back yesterday and ran to the store and the temperature kept going up and down again. When we were were done with our shopping, we got in the van, started it up and it died. It did this for about 10 minutes. When I turned on the heater, the temperature went down and the van started and got us home. We took it back to the shop this morning, and they are running tests on the wiring and electrical system.

Other weird electrical things are happening too. When we turn on the right turn signal and put on the brakes, the light blinks really fast. Without the brakes on the turn signal works fine. When we turn on the left turn signal with the brakes on the hazard light come on. Without the brakes, it works fine.

Also, when we have the key in the ignition and open the door, sometimes the door chimes normal, sometimes really fast and sometimes not at all.

There are many other problems with this van, but I feel that these are the more important problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st July, 2004

9th May 2005, 06:58

What is the resolution?

My Montana close to the same year is having the same symptoms. Replaced the water pump twice and the temperature is rocking back and forth.

27th Nov 2006, 21:55

I have a van the same year and mine is starting to have problems we replaced brakes, ABS/traction control sensor because the hazard lights come on when we brake. We have taken it to get the intake manifold fixed and now its cracked. We are not able to drive it at this time we have water in our oil and coolant leaking out of the manifold. Airbag light comes on and off when it wants.

29th Mar 2007, 14:08

My van is doing the same thing, except I have the light above the rear windshield and the license plate light. No tail lights at all though, I took it to a shop and they checked all the fuses and lights themselves and said it was beyond their mechanical skills. I am draining my wallet and my brain trying to figure this out!

1st Nov 2009, 10:47

I have a '99 Montana with only 105k miles on it. Just yesterday I had a really big problem with. After I had got the van inspected, I notice that the transmission started to slip, when I got it home I added some fluid to it and was fine after that or so I thought.

After a while I took the kids out for Halloween. On my way home the motor started to act up, so I pulled to the side of the road and checked the fluids, everything was fine. I then started the car back up and continue on my way when the real problem began. As I went further down the road, the car just died. When I started it back up, it started running really rough as if it wasn't firing on a cylinder like it was supposed to. That is when I noticed that the oil light came on, at this point I started to think that the oil-pump has gone bad or I might have a bigger problem than what I noticed. Has anyone else had this problem?

1999 Pontiac Montana 3.4 from North America

Summary:

What we've come to expect from GM these days

Faults:

Bearing went out in transmission at 150000 kms. $2600 to repair and replace damaged parts. Not under warranty.

Rear passenger power lock failed at 155000 kms.

Rear passenger door started to rattle at 100000 kms.

Front cup holders broke at 100000 kms. We put a cheap plastic console on the floor to replace it.

Passenger power window fails intermittently at 95000 kms. Dealer said there is nothing wrong with it.

General Comments:

Has generally been a reliable vehicle that performs and handles well under all driving conditions.

We expected more longevity from the transmission. We do not pull heavy loads or drive on hilly roads.

We were thinking of buying another one, but after the premature failure of a bearing in the transmission, we are having second thoughts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2004

29th May 2004, 08:17

I am also the owner of a 1999 Pontiac Montana. I have replaced the transmission 2 times and after 9,000 miles on the second rebuilt transmission, I am beginning to experience jerking at shift changes (which from experience tells me this one is not going to last either). My ABS lights interchangeably go off and on. Is there a connection between the onboard computer and transmission failures?