1999 Pontiac Montana from North America - Comments

When I first got the van the windshield started leaking. I had that repaired for $200.00.

The second problem that I had with my van was with the intake gasket. It started leaking antifreeze. That cost me $800.00 to get repaired.

The next item was the transmission. It started up shifting very hard. The dealer repaired it for $743.00.

Then my wife was driving down the interstate and the engine died. I had it towed to the dealer to find out that my camshaft broke and would need a complete rebuild for $2500. I chose to buy a new GM engine for $2700 and $675.00 for installation. After all was said and done the bill was $3800.00.

Now the outside temperature is not working properly. I have not repaired that item as of yet.

This van when working drives and runs great. I am now happy with the van after the transmission and the engine. I feel that I now have a new van again. I will not buy a General Motors product again. If any one has any questions about my problems you can reach me at: todd_oak@yahoo.com.

Me too I have 72,000 miles and cam shaft is broke and I heard of 5 more in a small town that have had camshaft

broken. I was on going 30 miles a hour and oil light came on and oil pump went out and the water pump and now I find the cam shaft broke. Dealer will not return calls what luck did you have with GM.? How many have you heard about?

The only ones that have had problems are the 3.4 L is that true?

I have a 1997 Transport extended van, that experienced many problems (poor brakes/rotors, leaky windows, etc.). The kicker was the engine oil pump failure/coolant leakage, leading to total engine failure at 67,000 miles. Of course, I did not know of the problem, as the car was regularly maintained and showed no sign of failure. Oh yeah--I was in the middle of nowhere when this happened. $3,800.00 for new engine--and found out today that the dealer left three engine mount bolts loose (or off!). No more GM for me!

Doug.

dougjazz@aol.com

We bought a new 1999 Montana Van. During the warranty period we had it in the shop over 10 times. They replaced the computer, alternator, sliding door parts, the self-sealing tires, the engine lifters, the engine at 27,000 miles, the back door closure strap (which broke again very shortly). We went through a 2 year no rain period in Florida, but in the little rain we had, I reported a water leak from the windshield area. The service center was very nice and worked on all the problems, but could never find time for the windshield area front panel leak. I took it in and was told this is a complicated and not easily to fix problem. It has been raining a lot lately and we have taken the front carpet out to try and dry it and poured all kinds of sealers in a hard to get place. The Maintenance Manager was supposed to get with me on this problem, but has not. If you have a water leak I advise anyone to put it above replacing even an engine. Kaye Reed Panama City, Florida.

My 98 Venture with 50,200 miles had to have the 3.4L engine replaced due to camshaft failure. There was virtually no warning, as in indicator lights... GM insists that the failure occurred due to poor maintenance, despite documentation showing otherwise. In my quest to understand the underlying cause of the failure, I repeatedly received unsolicited comments from mechanics such as "Oh yeah, that engine has a history of the camshaft locking up". Can we do anything collectively, to get GM to accept responsibility for this engineering flaw. I would be happy with just a portion of my $3,800.

Forbucks@att.net.

I have a 1999 Montana and on December 30th 2k2, my camshaft broke as well. Seems I am finding more and more people with the same problem. Looks like I too am going to get stuck with the cost of a new engine for my van. I have been a loyal GM users since I could drive. NOT ANY LONGER! Think I'll go with Chrysler and there 7 year or 70k mile power train, instead of GM and there 3 year 36k mile warranty and not willing to do anything to help people with an obvious and frequent problem with there engines.

I have a 1999 Montana. At 34,000 miles and three years six months the transmission started shifting hard. Pontiac paid fifty percent of the repairs. Now at 36,283 miles the lower intake manifold gasket leaks, the low coolant sensor need replacement, and the control module for the power door locks and security system is dead. Pontiac says tough luck, it's out of warranty. I feel those components were bad or faulty from the start. The Montana is my third and last Pontiac.

I also have a 2000 Montana which has been a nightmare. It has 44K miles and two weeks ago my "low coolant level" light went on. I brought it in for service and they called and told me it would be $925.00 to repair. I almost choked! I eventually got them do drop it to $400.00 since I was only 5 weeks past the warranty period. I had to pay a $200.00 deductible and pay for some hoses or some other parts that would need to be replaced. Yesterday, my husband noticed some antifreeze in the driveway so we brought it in again. They told me my head gasket needed to be replaced for $1360.00. Again, I vehemently complained and they again said I would have to pay the $200.00 deductible, but that was it. I am so disgusted with this van and am extremely nervous about what is going to go next. I thought when I bought a $30K van, it wouldn't need any major repairs for a while. I guess I was wrong. I have two young children and all I want is a dependable vehicle!!!It's back to foreign cars for me. I will never buy a Pontiac again.

I have a 1998 Pontiac Transport Montana, 74,000 miles, owned since 1999. One month ago I had the low coolant light come on while driving on the Autobahn (stationed in Darmstadt Germany). Garage said it was water pump; replaced it. Following week we had an anti-freeze leak on the garage floor. Garage replaced freeze plug. Still have a leak (small drop here and there) and today we now have a loud tapping noise coming from the engine. Oil level is fine and shows no sign of anti-freeze contamination.

Previous postings sound like it could be a camshaft on its way out the door. (or hood)

Any ideas?

P.S. This car does get driven HARD. Very routinely cruising at 100-107mph.

Hello,

I have a 1997 Pontiac transport, I had to rip apart the engine yesterday to discover a bad piece of engineering. The lower intake manifold gasket is a joke.

I am a repair technician, I troubleshoot mechanical and electrical problems, I saw a problem I thought I should mention. When the lower intake manifold gasket fails, it will pour a stream of hot coolant right down on top of the camshaft end (s), (either/both ends) This would effectively eliminate any lubrication at high speeds and pressures. The added friction on the bearing would also cause elevated heat levels around the cam shaft positioning sensor causing it to fail as well (RPM sensor) Coolant can then be lost directly into the intake manifold and into the oil. when the oil pressure exceeds the coolant pressure, the oil will force into the water jacket, further damaging the gasket. I caught mine just before the point of complete engine failure, I saw that the plastic that makes up the housing of the lower intake manifold gasket was heat cracked, and this was what allowed the transfer of fluids. The wrong plastic was used for the application. the rubber that makes up the seal seemed to be affected by the heat as well, crumbling when I touched it. I could Sherlock Holmes the entire problem, but my entry would be too long. needless to say they should have used a copper gasket instead.

My 1997 Pontiac Transport with 51,000 well maintained miles experienced the dreaded lower intake gasket failure also. The dealer wanted to completely flush out the cooling and crankcase systems, replace water pump, gaskets for $1500.00. This didn't include new hoses or radiator, heater core as I found out that the dex-cool antifreeze eats away at these parts. this also didn't allow for complete engine failure on restart. that would not allow the cost of work performed to apply to a new engine. I looked up on the internet at the thousands of GM complaints on this subject and told the dealer to split the cost or work out a trade. they offered me $3500.00 on trade. I went to the same dealers Honda lot and received $6500.00 in trade off a 2003 Honda Odyssey. dealer is an auto mall in Louisville, KY. P.S. the Transport also lost both headlight covers, wiper failure, steering recall, brake rotors replaced at 10,000 miles, gas fume leak from upper intake gasket, right rear signal bulb left out from factory, spare tire held no air, engine always had "normal" ticking. right power window failure. constant wobble from 25 - 45 mph that dealer could never find a problem with. I'm sure there are other problems I can't remember. we bought it new, and traded in a 1995 Grand Am that wasn't much either. good luck!!!

This sounds too familiar. I have a 1997 Transport and have experienced similar problems. Lost both headlight lenses, $125 each to replace, intake gasket replaced $841, causing leaking coolant, front wheel hub seized - private garage charged $650 to replace - dealership quoted $2000 for same repair, heating system failure $200 repair, rack and pinion steering problem that would force the car off the road after turning left, very serious problem and finally total engine failure, the garage said it threw a rod, but it sounds like its the crankshaft. Please post any solutions for compensation you may have found, Ontario specifically if possible. And for good measure - my radio light doesn't work along with my rear window washer fluid.

I have a 1998 pontiac transport van and I bought at 67000 miles. I have had the transmission, replaced at 71000 and problems are occuring with the automatic door, back windshield wiper arm, the power window driver side, oil leak, from near the manifold, some white gunk going into the pcv valve and around the oil cap, the coolent level light, the check engine light, the coffee cup holders, the radio light on the radio and the lights for radio on the steering wheel, lighter, the van acts as if it needs a tune up, but just to change the spark plugs a cheaper garage wanted 230.00 and 50.00 more for the wires, I have 115000 miles on it now.

Fortunately, I'm still under warranty. Had the intake manifold leak a couple of months ago, which was repaired under warranty, but still rather annoying. And now I smell coolant again... should I be concerned about my camshaft? Additionally, the brakes have started pulsating and making noises, and I'm told the front brake pads are almost worn (this is at 47,000 km... this usually hasn't been a problem for me until 80-100,000km). However, I'm not sure that worn brakes will cause a pulsating sensation. (I'm going to try an independent garage... at 32,000 km I was told the brakes were 70-80% left???)

Then there has been the plague of minor problems, such as the air bag sensor went south, air conditioning pump broke, computer had to be reset, and trim problems. I would expect these problems at 100,000 km plus, but not in the 20-50,000 km range. I'm currently considering ditching this vehicle before my warranty runs out.

I have a 1999 Pontiac Trans sport. I've had my share of problems. The intake manifold gasket had to be replaced,

the right side wheel hub and bearing including the anti-lock brake sensor failed, the transmission lost all of its oil on the road last week and needed a complete rebuild. Also the drivers seatbelt acts up to put an air bag alarm light on the dash. More minor things have been plugs and wires, the radio light never worked right since I bought it, and the rear wiper has not worked recently. It's a nice looking and riding van, but not very dependable for the price. This van has been dealer serviced since new.

I bought this van used in May of 2002. I thankfully bought the extended warranty with it. It was driven for four months without any problems, until I started having problems with the engine loosing coolant. The manifold gasket was replaced under warranty and fixed that problem.

Now, after owning the van for 1 1/2 yrs., I have had roof leaks, which seem to be caused by the luggage rack screws working loose. After tightening them, it will stop for awhile. Now I am having problems with the transmission at 58,000 miles. The engine will rev up and not go back down for some reason. Because of this, when you shift, the transmission slams in and out of gear. Also, sometimes it will not change gears at all, until you pull over and switch it off and back on again. I had the rear signal lights short out because of water seeping into them. I fixed them myself, and by sealing them up with silicone I have had no problems since. I also have had the van cut off when driving slowly in traffic. I don't know the cause of this yet. And now, to top it all off, I am having problems with the lights and switches of the radio, A/C, and traction control buttons.

I think I will try to unload this troublemaker before my warranty runs out at 75,000 miles.