23rd Jan 2007, 17:52

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.

24th Jan 2007, 16:46

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.

5th Feb 2007, 12:59

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.

15th Feb 2007, 04:11

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.

27th Mar 2007, 12:33

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.

28th Mar 2007, 17:42

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.

16th Apr 2007, 12:52

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.

26th Jun 2007, 15:38

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, it's 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...