1999 Pontiac Montana from North America - Comments

I too am in the camp of unhappy GM 3.4l minivan owners. I bought a 1997 Olds Silhouette in 2001 from a little old man, literally. The car only had 30k miles on it and was in near showroom condition. Well that was all well and good for the first couple years we had it. Besides typical consumables, like lights and fluids, the car did reasonably well for a daily driver for my wife.

At 90k miles however, it all started changing. First the camshaft broke, then I got ripped off by having the engine rebuilt for $4k, which included a new block (supposedly when the cam broke it cracked the block, but I didn't doubt it, because the broken cam could have done that).

So after taking that in, I thought, "well it's almost like a new car now"...not. About 4k miles later, the transmission went out, so nearly another $2k later, got that fixed, then it started having a consistent Evap diagnostic code P0441, which the repair shop couldn't fix.

Next rearing its ugly head was the oft-mentioned coolant leak - thinking it was the dreaded lower intake problem, I thought I'd do it myself and save some coin. So, I subsequently spent 3 days tearing out the top half of the engine (which is a real joy, I must mention - those engineers at GM should be proud of making such a miserably designed, impossible to service engine). Anyway, I finally got the engine back together - it ran great, but alas, the leak persists.

Now, tired of looking at it, I'm going to take it to the shop, because I think it's the lower seal that has gone bad, and not having a hydraulic rack, nor the desire to fix it anymore, I guess I'm going to have to shell out some coin this time. Never will I buy a 3.1l or 3.4l (if any GM) car. I have never ever seen such a pile of refuse posing as a car before. I'll either buy a Japanese car, or something American that is actually built well, not sure what that might be... but given the gas prices, maybe I'll just get a SmartCar. :-)

I can at least say that our 1997 Transport has made it to the 147,000 mile mark, and after reading these comments I consider myself lucky! We purchased this vehicle about a year and a half ago at 115,000 miles at a good price, it was an older vehicle so we didn't expect perfect, but we also didn't expect repair costs to total more than the vehicle cost!

Everything worked fine for a couple months then the auto sliding door stopped working, the auto driver window stopped, then the passenger. At 145,000 miles it was over heating, and this passed week we had the thermostat replaced, now we have it in for repair of intake manifold and head gasket, cost is $2400. I would definitely say "consumer beware" because this seems to be an obviously recurring problem.

I happened to pick up the recent Consumer's Report on automobiles. It should come as no suprise to any of you that the Pontiac Montana, Transport ect.. made the top ten list of cars to avoid. My 2000 Montana now has the ever popular coolant leak. Could this vehicle be any crappier?

I just stumbled across this class action suit regarding autos that used Dexa Cool. This includes the Ponticrap vans. If you have had a coolant leak, or a problem with the intake manifold

check this out http://www.dexcoolsettlement.com/

Why bother, GM will not help me, you or anyone else who comes along with a P.O.S. Montana.

Every issue you all had, I have. It ALL can be fixed however but, the repairs will be more than the van is worth.

THANKS GM, your no longer #1 for a reason.

HONDA, TOYOTA, EVEN KIA, here I come.

Couple years ago bought 2000 Montana as well. Just came across this site, and have been reading all your comments. WOW!! Same problems... just had the rad flushed because of the low coolant level warning, but stays on... MANY of the same problems you are all having as well. Worth the extra money to buy a Toyota or Honda I guess. Bought a used vehicle warranty, will see if that's helpful, but am doubtful.

Holy smokes. *raises hand to forehead*

I could have written every single one of these comments about the Pontiac Montana. I have a 97 and the day after I bought it, used, the heater switch went. "Everything else works" said the dealer. Yeah, right. Bought it in winter and didn't find out for 6 months that the A/C didn't work. I replace directional bulbs by the season. My ABS/TCS lights remain on, but here's the kicker. If I depress the brake before I start the engine, the light won't turn on, until it's put into gear and the brake released. Go figure. My brake lights, save the top strip, won't work and it has nothing to do with the bulbs. I replaced the engine at 101,000 miles. Had oil in the coolant.

My radio has PMS or something. It decides when it wants to work. And forget the display. That only works if the sun catches it just right.

There is this strange, bird-like, sound emanating from the right tire. Thought the brake sensor was starting to show but nope, those pads are just fine. There's this eerie moaning noise coming from the rear wheel well, passenger side. I think my dead Grandma has come back to haunt me because it sounds suspiciously like her.

Oh. and my lighter doesn't work.

So other than that and the frame being almost completely rotted out and the rear sliding door not working and the rear wiper motor being shot... It's a GREAT VEHICLE!!!

Please note the sarcasm.

I'm among the wounded, own a 1998 Trans Sport Montana, bought with about 79,000 miles four years ago. It's made it to 139K, but I don't know how. Oh wait, yes I do - MONEY, and LOTS of it!

It had the head gaskets blow ($1400), then the self-leveling rear shocks (replaced with normal shocks), then some electrical problems that stemmed from a water leak that nobody can find, then some steering gear. The last repair bill was over $600, and that from a mechanic I've used for life. Thought we were getting a reasonably priced, good used vehicle. Guess that's what I get for thinking. Now, the wife is reporting that it "skips" on rough roads, and the steering has a dead spot in it. There's not much left to replace on this rotten thing. Stay away from these vans, unless you like spending time and money at the mechanic.

I purchased a used 1998 Transport Montana and the day before Mother's Day, it died on us. We had the van towed (for free since we have All State Motor Club!). This morning, the mechanic that towed the van said that we had a coolant leak problem and it leaked in the gasket causing some damage.. the amount of damage is unknown yet since he hasn't opened it up yet and just to check it would cost $260.00... I was also told by a prior mechanic that I would need a new water pump, etc...I'm foreseeing a lot of repair costs in theh future therefore, I'm permanently parking the van after only having it for 10 months. I'm not buying a Pontiac brand vehicle ever again!

I too have had the problem with my intake gasket going at 100,000km. Had to spend $800 for new rear panel seals because every time it rained both rear fenders filled with water. My fuel gauge reads full all the time, rear wiper motor gone. Now I find that both rocker panels have rotted out due to a hole that lets water in, but none to let it out. Now I find an inch of wet sand sitting on top of the inside of my front fender so that's rotted out, and I'm scared to look at the other side. To do the rocker panels, the dealer said they would have to cut out a 4 inch piece, weld in a patch, and same for the other side. Cost of materials $250, cost of labour $1200! They say it's a 12 hour job? I'm no body man, but 12 hours seems ridiculous.

We really love our van, and other than the intake gasket, the motor has been soild, so far. I just don't know if we should have the body work done, and try to get a few more years out of it. Its paid for, and I like not having a $300 car payment every month. Oh, what to do...

We have a 1999 Pontiac Montana van we purchased used in 2000 with less than 20,000 miles, and we, too, have had the multitude of problems noted above. When the head gasket went, it was the coldest day of January! It took out the heads, needed a complete motor job costing more than $3,000.

We've had three wheel bearings replaced on the same side, driver side window is a son of a gun to get back up once you get it down. The passenger side only works when it wants to. The tail lights have been repaired numerous times, but always revert back to the signal lights not working if you put on the brakes. The gas gauge works fine when you fill up, but after it gets down close to half, it will go to empty and the light comes on. The rear wiper does not work and the front wipers get out of whack and jamb up, need adjusting and then they're okay for awhile. Sometimes when you first turn them on driving down they highway, the passenger side goes right off the windshield the first swipe, then its OK. Once, that happened and the wind took the wiper right off.

My airbag light is always on, the service engine light goes on and off at will and of late, the transmission intermittently (or I think that is what it is) will whine and slip on occasion, then it will go a month or two be fine, then it comes back.

When the van was new and had warranty, we had it to the dealer twice regarding the power steering and the noises it made. We were assured there was nothing wrong. It still works, but the noise is LOUDER.

We have put soooo much money into this vehicle over the past eight years! I had always found GM vehicles to be good. I had a Chevette for 10 years, new off the lot and never had a lick of trouble other than basic maintenance. This vehicle has been a nightmare.

My transmission is acting up again, only worse this time than previous. I'm nervous...

The body of the vehicle is in great shape except for the rocker panels that are shot, completely rusted out. I personally know a couple of others with the same vehicle and the SAME issues and GM will not own up to any of it. I sent them a letter as did the other person and neither of us got so much as an acknowledgment of receiving the letter!!!

We purchased a 1999 Pontiac Montana Ext. Van and we didn't have any problem until a year after. We noticed everything from this post, possessed gas gauge, tempermental blinkers, annoying chirping bird at the passenger side front wheel, the nervous ABS and TCS signal lights and of course the most recent accelerator pedal stuck to the floor while my husband is driving to school with my children. He was descending and the brakes won't work and the accelerator sound kept on roaring and increased speed. He literally had to tell the kids which were 6's and 4's years old to hold on and that he is putting the car on park. God forbid nothing bad happened to anyone of them. The van stopped and my husband pushed it to the side of the road. He opened the hood to find out that the brakes cable were shredded and that a piece of metal part was stuck, which allowed the gas pedal to be controlled by the driver.

We had it fixed for over $1500.00 and the functionality of the van still not up to par. To date we have paid well over $5,000.00 to repair our family car.

Not to mention, my 6 year old don't want to ride in it because of being afraid something may happen. He is terrorized to get in the van.

Let me know if there is a valid class action suit for specifically Pontiac Montana Extended Vans.

Thank you,

The Stewart Family / Nashville TN.

I purchased our 1999 Silhouette Premier new in Feb 1999, and maintained it per the manufacturers recommendations.

The intake gaskets went out the first time in Feb 2003, then the head gasket blew in July 2004. It then sat for three years because the head gasket failed a couple days before we were going on a road trip vacation.

We replaced it with a Buick Rendezvous Ultra AWD, which I only bought to avoid the 3.4 engine (it came with the caddy 3.6).

The Buick was a gas hog, so we traded it for a Prius in 2006, which has been trouble free for two years.

My primary vehicle is a 2006 2500hd Duramax, and when diesel started to rise last year, I fixed the Silhouette - what a pain to work on!

I drove the Silhouette for 5 months and 6000+ miles until last Sunday, when I took it on a 500 mile round trip. Within 20 miles of our home, it quit with a shudder and a knocking at 65 mph. I suspected the camshaft based on the symptoms, and this site has confirmed it.

That 3.4 engine is a piece of junk when it comes to long term durability. It runs great though, when it's not broken...

We purchase our 97 Pontiac Transport in 2000 with just 15,000 miles.

At 40,000 miles the transmission went out, then at about 80,000, just when the extended warranty expired the engine, we made the same mistake as most of you have made, we decided to put more money into the van.

So far the new engine has been running pretty well, aside for the other common things that are going wrong ie. harmonic balancer gone bad 2x, window regulator, A/C, A/C switch, and the malfunctioning brake lights.

It has been very frustrating, since I try to believe and support in American products, but after this van, I will never buy another American made vehicle again.

We bought our 97 transport new in January 98. Later in year we took 5000 mile vacation from Oklahoma to west coast and back. Service engine soon light came on in west Texas and we had it in the shop in Arizona. Said they couldn't find anything and reset light. SES came back on and we had it in the shop in Los Angeles. They also couldn't find anything and reset it even though we complained furiously about back firing and heavy smoke. Drove to Las Vegas and in hot desert, van coughed, smoked and backfired again. Couldn't drive over 45 to 50. Seemed like no power. Put in shop for 3 days in Vegas. They put on NEW BATTERY and sent us on. SES back on befor we reached Hoover Dam. Cut vaca short and came home. Still no remedy at Oklahoma Dealer. Finally one afternoon as I left work, van wouldn't go over 5 mph and backfired constantly. SES light flashing. Drove straight to dealer and left running and backfiring in lot. They replaced 02 sensor. Stopped that problem. When van had 72000 miles on it began to overheat. Head gasket blew and blew heads also. 1800 repair job. 15000 miles later a repeat but caught before heads were ruined. Now it is dead at 110,000 in driveway with water in oil again after overheating yet not showing up on any gauges. GM will not respond.