2002 Pontiac Montana from North America - Comments

We bought a 2002 Pontiac Montana a little over 2 years ago and had no problems the 1st year. When we had our state inspection in 07/07, we had to have fog light bulb replaced and our air bag sensor replaced. Not too bad. But then... in March 08, we had to have one of our front bearings replaced ($250) not including the regular maintenance(tires, rotors, brakes) we had during that repair. Then, a couple of weeks later, it was our water pump. In early 06/08, some type of t-shaped valve leading to our coolant broke and needed replacement ($160 plus towing totaling $225). The week after that, it was the condenser for AC unit which ran about $650.

We have monthly car payments and now our service engine light is on. By having monthly car payments and just having done all of this other work recently, we really cannot stomach anymore repair bills on this well-maintained car. I checked the gas cap and put more gas in the van thinking that's why the check engine light is on but it has not gone out yet (I just did it this morning and have not driven it over 2 miles since doing so - I will give it more time). I am saying all of this to make the point that I had a Chevy Lumina for about 6 years that I BARELY did any maintenance on much less change oil, check oil or any of the things you SHOULD do to maintain a car. This year alone, I have spent more on the van than I did in my whole time of owning the Lumina. I am not sure if I am disappointed in the van at this point but CAN tell you that I am not happy with what is going on and there seems to be just one thing after the other. Like I said, I NEVER had this kind of trouble out of the Lumina.

We own a 2002 Montana and have spent over $3500.00 on repairs. The latest is the heater. It sometimes works and other times just blows cold air. After seeing the movie "who killed the electric car", we have decided that we will never buy another north American made car. I have had it with them. If they go under, too bad. I don't think we should be bailing them out again... this is the 3rd time?

We bought our 2002 Pontiac Montana a little over a year ago and now we have started to have the heat problems!! So here is my question? Should we start out with the both intake and manifold gaskets or fiddle with small stuff first, ps. we have also had regular maintenance on this vehicle, we like the comfort of the inside!!

Own 2002 Montana.. bought it in 2005 with 70K on it...didn't have any problems with it until last month... always did maintenance like oil changes, brakes/tyres and tuneups on time. AFter 290K KMs & 3.5 years later, last month, over-heating issue started.. resulted in head-gasket failure... so replaced the whole engine as it was only $300 more to replace engine than replacing the head-gasket...now things are acting up one at a time like coolant leaking outside of the engine, van stalling when it gets hot etc.

Love the comments by people who "Love their Montana" and have 107k's with no problem. Will wait for your posts in the next year when you pay for a head gasket, transmission, A/C unit, et al. GM lost a class action suit in Canada over their denial that the head gaskets were faulty. There is a process for claiming some money if you blew an engine due to this problem. But safe to say, one of the worst vehicles ever made.