Faults:

After reading all the posts, I'm feeling much better about my '99 Montana.

I bought it new and have had regular maintenance done on schedule by the dealership, whose service department I hold in high regard. The vehicle has been a pleasure to own and drive. No major repairs.

My biggest complaint is of dashboard/DIC lights failing, which are too expensive to replace. No big deal. But at 166K miles, the head gasket has begun leaking coolant. The dealership recommends replacing it. I'm thinking, why should this item fail when I've met or exceeded the owner's responsibility for maintenance?

Then I read the posts; now I feel much better. I guess a $2K repair that will take me to 200K miles (probably two more years); beats new car payments, eh?

Faults:

The only trouble I have had with this van is the electric sliding side door has a tendency to re-open when it closes by itself (using the switch).

Also, when it is real hot outside the Airbag light comes on sometimes.

General Comments:

I am very impressed with the good mileage I get with a full tank of gas. Only fill up once every two weeks.

Kind of hard to see through the back windows when backing up.

Comfortable and very easy to drive.

Take the seats out and there is plenty of room for our band equipment.

Faults:

We bought the 1999 Pontiac Montana in 2001 with 66,000 miles on it, to take trips across the country for my daughter to compete in dance competitions. We live in the Detroit, Michigan area, and the first trip we christened the Montana with was a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennesee.

The van ran great until we returned to Michigan and we found the A/C was blowing warm air. Well, we took it back to the dealer, and they replaced the A/C compressor and it's been working great since.

Two years later, the Montana made the round trip down to Palm Beach, Florida without incident.

The vehicle has been a pleasure to drive. Change the oil twice a year, keep an eye on the coolant level and drive it.

Earlier this year I added a bottle of Barrs leak to the radiator because of the puddle of coolant on the driveway, but that seemed to remedy the problem.

I did put a water pump in at about 160K, and the bearing in the idler pulley for the fan belt locked up at 170k, so I replaced the pulley and belt. So besides keeping the maintenance up on the vehicle, I feel it's been pretty good.

The reason I came across this web site is because the vehicle has 171,000 miles on it, and I need to figure our how to get the spark plugs out of the rear of the motor, so I can replace the plugs and the wires after 105,000 miles.

Sometimes ya get lucky, but this is why the North American Auto Industry is losing market share. They have to figure out how to keep the customer happy without marketing their service to keep the bottom line healthy. My bad experiences came with Chrysler transmissions. They all break sooner or later, but standing behind their product is the key to repeat customers. If we don't stop giving the foreign competition all the breaks, they will take over the market share for everything.

General Comments:

Long distance trips have been a pleasure with the Montana. Hate to buy a new vehicle because at least now, I know what I've got.

Faults:

I had to get a new water pump and new coolant and now I don't know whats going on, on Wednesday my van ran out of gas while I was on my way to the gas station and my dad and I put a few gallons in it and it still won't start. My gas gage does not work and I'm wondering what the issue still is and I'm freaking out because my van is just sitting in my driveway and won't run. I've only had it for a month and a half so I'm kind of getting scared here. My grandma has a 97 Pontiac Trans Sport and her gas gage doesn't work as well, but I think her van is in better shape than mine. : (Can anybody help me out or please give me some advice, this is my first vehicle and I'm getting pretty attached to it. I love my van, but am scared that everything is gonna go to hell and a hand basket on me.

General Comments:

I love the style and how it drives, its so much smoother than my moms 02 Ford Escape. I just love all the space in it too. I have the seating for 8 and that has come in more handy than I thought.