1999 Pontiac Montana Extended review from North America

I have a 1999, Pontiac Montana, Extended Base. I Like the way it runs, when it runs. It has good power and pickup, great cargo capacity, a nice smooth ride, and a solid feel.

However, it sounds like I have had the same problem that most other GM vehicles have had.

At 74,000 miles I started noticing the coolant light going off and on intermittently and I was loosing coolant, but could not tell where as there was no visible leak. One morning there was a puddle of coolant under the van so I took it to the mechanic to find the intake manifold gasket went out. I had purchased an extended warranty so it was repaired at almost no cost to me... the first time.

About 2 years and 40,000 miles later the gasket began to leak again. This time, no warranty and I paid $800 to get it fixed.

The mechanic that repaired it the second time said that it is a very well known issue and that he repairs a minimum of one a week and that mine was the third this week... and it was only Wednesday! This seems like a rather high number of this type of repairs for just one shop to be seeing.

To have this many reports of this problem, you would think GM would do something about a recall, but I've found nothing except further complaints of the same and similar issues.

I now am beginning to experience the dreaded hard shifting from the transmission intermittently and am dreading the repair cost.

I am currently trying to sell my Montana and purchase a new vehicle which will, hopefully, have fewer problems. I have made the decision that I will not ever purchase another GM vehicle until I hear reports that they've improved their vehicles.