Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-52
2002 Pontiac Montana, Ontario Can. Rear Wiper stopped, replaced with used part $135. Defect part disassembled. Electrical, circuit board, Motor, Pinion and gear functioning very well. Oscillatory gear mechanism, and wiper blade shaft very resistive due to rust. Cleaned up it functioned well. Very easily done. Although suggested to avoid breaking the rear window, the unit needs not be removed from the car. Remove wiper blade and plastic window mounting nut, remove plastic cover over wiper oscillatory mechanism (inside the car under the rear door cover). Shaft and mechanism will remove by tapping the wiper mount shaft into the unit from the wiper blade mount side. Check motor function with shaft removed. Clean up, oil and re-install. Celebrate your success.
We bought a 2000 Pontiac Montana new. Rear shocks replaced at 20,000 km. We have had the manifold gasket replaced at 60,000 km. Airbag light intermittently goes off and on. Play with the front passenger seat sliding back and forth to make it go out. Handle on rear hatch broken twice. Gas Gauge doesn't work. We use the trip odometer to gauge the gas tank.
Clock display light burned out. Front drivers seat plastic piece on the bottom of the seat broke off. Top track piece in the ceiling holding the sliding door on passenger side falls down and prevents door closing. We finally used silicone to repair it. So far its worked. Very poor quality finishing on the interior.
Earlier this year, the low coolant level light came on. Checked the Internet to see if anyone else had coolant problems, and low and behold were we in for a surprise. Didn't realize that all of the past problems we had were common to other Montana owners. Dealership told us it was the head gasket. Replaced head gasket at 100km - I mentioned Dex-cool and how other owners were having problems and I asked if we should replace the Dex-cool with the regular 'green' antifreeze. We were told that if we did this it would cause a sludge and they did not recommend doing this. I guess this is a crock as I have read some other comments on this site where people have done this and haven't read that this was the case.
Now we are having the ABS and the engine light come on intermittently. The ABS stays on most of the time just the odd time it will go out and then come back on. I wonder if the sensors are bad or the wiring on the dashboard is faulty.
As far as the low coolant level, we are having to add more coolant and this is after we spent $2800 on the head gasket
water pump, and thermostat 6 months ago all replaced at the same time. We are so fed up with this vehicle, we would love to get rid of it, but we bought it we had budgeted to own it for 8-10 years before replacing it.
The dealership told us we shouldn't complain after all the vehicle is 6 years old. We faithfully maintained the vehicle, changing oils, fluids, etc., according to the owner's manual. We have spent a small fortune in repairs on this vehicle since we bought it new.
We just keep wondering what is next.
We bought a 2001 Pontiac Montana when it was 1 yr old and paid for the extended warranty for 5yrs/100,000km. My transmission went at 104,000 and three months after warranty ran out. Now I am having a problem with my signal lights and traction control lights. When pushing on the brake the signal lights on the dash light up and when signaling when pushing on brake makes the signal speed up and the other signal glow as well. My traction control message appearing in message center and then automatically shuts off the traction control. I have had to the dealership 2times and booked in for a third. The first time they said was a ground pin which cost me $550, the second time said all codes said everything is fine, but maybe should check command start, charged me $60 to do nothing. I went to the guy that install my command start and he unplugged it and I am still having same problems. I wonder what the theory this time will be. Has anyone had this problem I am just curious if maybe something I can fix on my own.
I can tell you I will never own another gm product period after all of this and I could keep going on about all the problems I have had, but we all have been there.
Have had my 2001 Montana for 6 years. Problem with lower manifold gasket at 28,000 Miles. At 60,000 miles, same problem. 1st was under warranty, second cost me $1,000.00.
I think this engine may have significant problems with the intake manifold system.
I own a 2001 Pontiac Montana. I just reached 105,000 miles. I am having problems with my turn signal, brake lights, and hazard lights working all at the same time.
A mechanic said the cause is a faulty alternator.
2002 Pontiac Montana piece of GM JUNK!!
Standard complaints all others have. Intake manifold
gasket shot at 50K miles (dealer: so sorry...$1100.)
4 weeks later, head gasket shot (dealer and GM: not our
fault, dealer wants $1800 to fix what they didn't find with the intake man gasket). Front wheel bearings a problem. And
now the ABS/traction control light just came on. Wow, you think GM would see the long list of the same complaints and order a recall or service bulletin... but it is GM and it would cost lots. At least they should fix the vans that come in with the problem. Do not buy a Montana... or any GM vehicle. No wonder the Japanese are eating Detroits Lunch!
I bought a 2001 Montana used. I liked it at first then after 6 months of light use...
First the rear wiper motor went.
Tranny just went at 113,000
Tranny went while vehicle accelerated without warning till we popped it in Neutral. Bloody GM service manager suggested that my wife who was driving didn't know what a gas and brake pedal was.
Wipers are now intermittently functioning and cruise control works 90% of the time.
I have been advised of tie rod end wearing, but 2 inspections later no one indicates they are an issue.
Rear Parking assist sensors intermittently working as well.
Engine pangs loudly when cold.
Neighbour just had a water pump on similar model go and suggested replacement was 1500-2500 Canadian.
GM service rep didn't return my call until I advised the GM service QA caller that I would not ever buy another GM based on customer service to the service line alone.
I bought my 2000 Montana new. I take very good care of my vehicles. Oil changes every 3000 miles. fluids, wash, wax etc. I presently have 12100 miles. on it. Had the head gasket issue, new lifters installed at the same time, new water pump, and had them replace spark plugs also that were corroded in due to the fact that the factory doesn't put anti-seize compound on the threads when installed at the factory..?? This is common knowledge for most good mechanics because the metal threads of the spark plug and the aluminum of the cylinder head are not compatible which creates corrosion and strips the threads in the head when you remove them. More dollars spent on a simple spark plug change!
Speaking of corrosion look under your hood along the edge seams and if it is like mine it has bubbles in the paint due to corrosion again. This is the aluminum hood deteriorating right under your nose. I took it in and got no satisfaction from dealer rep. even though it is a known problem!
Piston clatter on startup is horrendous, it does go away after warm up, so I got my fingers crossed on that one. Recently in the cold weather my "service traction control" light came on. Anyone know what the remedy for this is?
It's no wonder GM is reducing it's involvement in mini-vans.
I bought my 2001 Montana in October 2006. I thought I got a fairly good deal on it with a $5500.00 price tag. I love the looks of the van and was pleased until recently. Minnesota is brutal in the winter and I have had 3 repairs done related to engine overheating. First it was a water pump, then a by-pass hose. Now I need to replace lower and upper manifold intake gaskets, which is running about $800.00 for the repair. Mileage is about 136,000.
Our 2002 Pontiac Montana is turning into a lemon as well.
In September 2006, at 65,000 miles, had a crack in the air conditioning condenser. Because "a rock or something cracked it and it leaked the freon. They are placed in a really bad spot." Gee, I live in Indiana, use the a/c about 6 months of the year and don't travel on gravel roads. Total cost of this repair: $1000 which the dealer graciously picked up (probably because it was obvious I was not going to get it fixed with winter around the corner.)
March 9,2007 the Service Engine light came on. Replaced intake gaskets as they appeared to be leaking. Total cost: $1060. Two weeks later the Service Engine light came back on. The dealer scanned and said it might be the Oxygen sensor. Sure enough! Total cost for this repair $286. Seems like a scam since I found out the O2 sensors typically go bad at around 60,000 miles (my vehicle currently has 72,000 miles). I think they should have told me this when it was in 2 weeks earlier. When I called and voiced my concern the reply was "Sorry, the O2 code didn't come up when we scanned it." My reply, "Thanks for your business." The dealer later called back and they will be picking up the cost of the labor, but it will still cost me $140 for the part. What next???
Generally, this has been a great van for our family, but the recent repairs have got me worried. I was hoping to drive this van for another 5 years. At this point, I am not sure that is going to happen.
FOR MY FELLOW MONTANA OWNERS.
I own a 2001 Montana that I bought with 67K in 2003. I now have approximately 150k and yes, it is still running. I made sure the head gaskets were replaced before purchasing. Thank-you lemonade book.
Funny owners mention the same problems over and over again. You would think GM would get the hint and correct the mistakes, but alas we wither..
My engine light has been on for about a year. It has now become part of the dash display. I have actually grown fond of the little yellow glow. It went off once for about a day and I was actually disappointed. The seat belt light is usually on, however sometimes it goes out... but then it comes on again. I took it to the mechanic, which solved nothing. The trany clunks when it goes into gear from reverse however so far so good.
I guess what I would like to say is, live with it. If I could afford to buy a Honda or Toyota I would have (owned a Civic for 16 years with 450k before I got sick of it and sold it), but I bought what this vehicle is worth. The interior fan ventilation system makes more noise then most vehicles engines, but at the end of the day it is still a comfortable ride.
One more thing, the AC hasn't worked in a year. When I asked the repair cost I almost slugged the guy who told me.
From a somewhat sweaty, but realistic owner... o... try changing a battery on one of these. Godspeed.
Hi, I hate to break the cycle, but I too have a 2001 Pontiac Montana. I have had no major problem with it at all. I love it! I bought it new and now have 88,000 miles on it. Outside of normal wear & tear (brakes, tune ups, oil change etc) I haven't had to do anything to it and it has run great. I live in DE, and travel to New England 2-3 times a year. My only real problem is my gas gauge stays at half full whether I am on E or totally full. I was told I would have to have the whole tank taken out to repair it. I figure I can live with it, I just keep a record of the mileage & know when to get gas. I would buy another Montana again tomorrow. Hope everyone has a better experience with their next car.
My 2001 Montana I have had the passenger side sliding door fall completely off. Cost me over $200.00 to fix. The blinkers don't always work properly. And now I just found out that my intake gasket needs to be replaced. I heard that GM was extending the warranty for that for 8 years 80,000 so when I called the dealer they told me no!!! I called headquarters they told me it was covered and the next day headquarters called me back to tell me no its not covered they decided to cancel that under the warranty. Thank God I have a good friend that's a mechanic and is doing it on the side for only $500.00. My van only has 66,701 miles on it. I'm afraid to find out what else is going to go wrong. I am making a complaint to www.bbb.org about this...
Hello Die Hard Montana Owners.
I purchased my Pontiac Montana new back in 2000;luckily I bought the extended warranty (100,000 miles/5 years - not cheap). What has gone wrong with my Montana? Everything! For the first 2 years it was in the shop every other month. The engine lifters, manifold gaskets (obviously), water pump, radiator, cooling lines (tranny to radiator), O2 sensor, have all been changed. Transmission has been worked several times for clunking in and out of OD. Transmission has been flushed/filter changed 5 times because the dealer could not figure out what was going on - they thought there was a blockage - whatever! Air conditioning compressor replaced. Heater blower motor shuts done whenever it feels like it! Engine knocks when cold, noise subsides once warm, but never goes away (she is going to go). Wiring harness had to be re-routed/replaced (by dealer) because they were melting. Air Bag light comes on from time to time. Radio clock light has been replace twice. And, to this day the "low Coolant" light comes on; though there are no leaks and level is good - I am going to live with this one. I have 157,000 miles on my Montana and would rate this vehicle at a 5/6 (scale 1 - 10). Anybody out there want to buy it? I'm ready for a change.
Galen.
I bought my 2001 Montana last year in october. I have had no major problems with it. Other than the normal oil changes and such it has been a reliable vehicle. I live in canada and our winters here are harsh and she fired up every single day without complaint. Even with the hot weather this summer it does not even over heat. Just every once in a while when it rains a lot my engine light comes on, but goes out as soon as everything dries out. I have had this checked of course. But my thought is no matter what vehicle you buy new or used or where you live and drive this vehicle every make and model of vehicle will have its own set of issues. I agree with most live with it. Its part of vehicle ownership.