2008 Pontiac Montana SE 3.9

Summary:

Junk

Faults:

Transmission failure, wheel bearing failure, power steering pump failure, multiple power steering lines failed, crank shaft angle sensor failure and a number of others.

General Comments:

The vehicle is extremely poorly engineered and very difficult to do maintenance on.

You have to tilt the engine forward to change the back 3 spark plugs. It's a major job to change a $25 angle crank sensor, a major job to change power steering lines, diagnostic system is very lacking - you will experience problems and get no codes till they become major if you get a code at all!! My solution - I bought a Honda - much happier with it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th June, 2019

2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 Extended 3.9 liter 240 hp

Summary:

Good comfortable van, but with unacceptable life on the transmission & engine

Faults:

The van has always been serviced on time since purchased new in 2007.

13 Sept, 2016, 113,956 km. Oil & filter change & lube + 15 point inspection.

21 Sept, 2016, 114,161 km. Replaced failed transmission (8 days & 205 km after maintenance).

24 Oct, 2016, 117,380 km. Replace failed engine SV6, 3.9 liters (41 days & 3,424 km after maintenance).

General Comments:

I've been a loyal GM customer for 50+ years, and my last purchases, one new Pontiac Transport, then a new Pontiac Montana SV6 ext, then a new 2002 Chevrolet Venture, then this 2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 Ext. which was never abused, still look like new.

All these new vans were all fully serviced & maintained by GM, and I have always been quite satisfied with them, with only the usual wear & tear on parts, but have never been so disappointed with GM now, that a transmission & engine both fail within 30 days of a full maintenance, and especially the fact that both costly parts failed under 117,000 km (70,000 to 72,000 miles) which is totally unacceptable.

The life of a transmission & engine should & must be more than twice that, and I definitely believe that GM is aware of these defective parts and they should have been dealt with as RECALLS & replacement.

I would like to know who has had these similar problems?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th June, 2017

11th Jun 2017, 03:11

I'm sorry to hear you car had such catastrophic issues.

Did your mechanic say what went wrong with the engine?

The transmission?

2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 3.5

Summary:

JUNK!!!

Faults:

Lower signal lights replaced 3 times in 1 year!

Gaskets blown at 20,000km; almost lost the engine!

Driver's seat worn.

Front & rear brakes had to be replaced after one year and a half

Now, a rattling in the back hatch.

In my opinion, the Montana is a piece of junk!!!

Will NEVER buy a GM Pontiac again... Honda next!

General Comments:

Terribly built van. I am actually afraid for my safety and my family's safety every time we go on the road!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd August, 2010

2008 Pontiac Montana SV6 RWB

Summary:

I will never own another Pontiac or GM product

Faults:

The same day I leased my new Montana, the fuel sensor went on the vehicle. 1 week later back windshield wiper failed.

General Comments:

The Montana is a waste of money. One would think that you would not have any issues with a brand new vehicle within the first week of ownership. The vehicle is also lacking sufficient storage areas and poor seat design.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th January, 2008

16th Jan 2008, 19:48

Having issues with a brand new vehicle is surely aggravating, but get the niggling problems fixed under warranty and give it a chance. My parents have an '03 Montana that hasn't had a single problem in 65,000 miles.

19th Jan 2008, 08:27

Issues like seating and storage are issues that should generally be addressed if someone takes the time to test drive a vehicle properly. 5 minutes up a road and back is not an adequate test drive of a vehicle. If you are seriously considering a vehicle you should take it out on the road for no less than 30-40 minutes, driving on various road conditions (city-highway-etc...) Take the time to stop it and experiment with the controls. In this case being a minivan, I'd even suggest going as far as taking the seats out and putting them back in.

The other issues, though uncommon in a new vehicle, are simple items that are covered under warranty (that's why warranties exist.)

I understand that this person is upset with this vehicle as it is certainly aggravating, but I don't think it's as severe an issue as it is made out to be.