Faults:

I purchased my van when it had 45000 miles on it. It was a one owner that was traded for a Chevrolet Impala. When I purchased it, I also got the extended warranty for 36 months or 36000 miles, whichever came first.

After driving it for about 18000 miles, I was informed my the service tech that I had an intake gasket leaking, so I paid my 200 dollar deductible and the gasket was replaced.

After driving another 6000 miles, the service rep. stated that the gasket was leaking again, but this time, the time had ran out on the warranty. I talked to the service manager and he said that he could not replace the gasket without me paying for it, My comment was, am I going to have to replace the gasket every 6000 miles?

I asked for the number for GM, but he said he would see what he could do, and after a few days he said they would replace the gasket at no cost to me. That was in 2005.

I drove the van for over 7 years and really enjoyed driving it. I did the regular maintenance, replaced the brakes and hoses, also had new tires installed a few months before I traded for a new Impala, which was on the spur of the moment. I started to buy my van back, but with almost 100,000 miles on it I was afraid it might start to give me problems. After reading some of the complaints I feel lucky that I drove the van as long as I did without any major problems that some of the other van owners had.

Thanks for this site, it has enlightened me on how lucky I was.

Faults:

* 2 weeks after I bought the van, the transmission went out. That was over $3000.

* A few weeks later, when you have the lights on, and hit the brake with and with out the turn signal on, one of the back lights does not always work. More not, than does.

* The van will start in a heartbeat when it's cold outside. When it's warm, you have to give it gas to get it to start.

* The front left headlight has a crack in it.

* The high beams are and have always been dimmer than the headlights.

* The light that tells you which way you are going and the temp. outside doesn't work (if I want it to work, I have to hit it very hard, and that doesn't always work).

* About 4 weeks after I bought the van, I had to put all new tires on it.

* I've had to replace ALL of the coils (and the number 5 coil is the HARDEST one to get to).

* It needs all new wheel bearings, struts, brakes and brake pads.

* With the rear lights, and it not always wanting to start, no one knows why it does that.

General Comments:

I will never ever buy another Montana again! I'm a single mother, and do not have the money to keep putting into this van.

Although, even with everything that is wrong with it, it does get about 350 to 360 miles on one tank, and is a very smooth ride. With my head lights not working how they should, my fog lights are very helpful at night.

Faults:

I am the second owner of this van and I have a complete maintenance report from the last owners. The only problem I have run into is trying to change those 3 spark plugs between the engine and firewall. What a pain. The garage wants an arm and a leg for doing it.

General Comments:

This van has been great for me and my family. Comfort quiet and reliable.

But the one thing about it is the fuel mileage could be a little better. I could run a 1/2 ton for the same amount.