20th Jul 2009, 22:56
Bought 2001 Pontiac Montana van new in 2001:
Love the van for driving - but the cost of maintenance is unbelievable.
Car now has 280,000.
- New transmission
- 3 A/C condensors
- $1600 for A/C side lines, which didn't work and now they want another $900
- Fuel gauge stopped working
- Driver window sometimes just opens
- Sometimes the doors lock on their own?
- Couple sets of tires
- Average repair: 500-1200 per visit
- I must be nuts - am currently trying to get an A/C fix that is just over warranty
- Who do you call at GM to complain or at least get some sort of ruling that a month over warranty means you pay another $1600 to repair?
24th Jul 2009, 15:32
Have a 2001 Montana.
Same problems -- been trying to fix the brake light issue for my wife. Found the melted plastic connector middle top pin on the tail lamp assy, both male and female plugs. Guess too much current running back thru there and melted the plastic, but the lamps didn't burn out--??? Cleaned it and it worked!!! But started the van and then it stopped working properly, now the roof brake light stays on all the time. Like chasing demons/gremlins -- In the name of Jesus! Come out.
Will likely have to replace the harness and the circuit boards. Good luck to all -- and especially the bankrupt General Motors corporation -- I'm sure they will find some cracker-jack electrical engineers with the money they don't have!
24th Jul 2009, 17:16
2001 Montana.
Fixed the Christmas tree light issue--you need to pull the tail light assy and either replace the male and female plug assy, as they will be burnt. I just cleaned the male and female plastic from around the plug areas for $0, we'll see how long it lasts, but works fine now!!!
13th Aug 2009, 14:26
I've had my 2001 van for a few years now, and have very similar problems.
The A/C, the front and rear brakes, the temp gauge goes up when you sit still too long; we are replacing the thermostat, and I hope that fixes the problem.
We changed the whole light assembly to Ford; they work perfectly now and you can't tell the difference unless you open it up, and who but me needs to do that.
If anyone knows where we need to look to find how to replace the thermostat, please let me know.
Oh, by the way, we have 112105 miles so far. Really hope to add a lot to that. We don't drive, but needed the van so that our four children, me and husband plus driver would fit. We are both visually impaired but still need to get around like others.
Thanks, Tonya.
Send comments to tonyagabriel@verizon.net
9th Sep 2009, 07:41
2002 Pontiac Montana purchased new.
1st day purchase, I should have known when the windshield wipers broke.
I loved a lot the things about this van.
I just paid off the van, and the intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced, $900 or more, auto windows stop 1/2 up or just doesn't work, the fan only works on 2-4 skipping high and low, the side passenger door came off the hinges while turning a corner, the door doesn't shut properly, the electrical t/o van intermittently works, the ABS light stays on the thermostat change 3 times, and etc.
I just paid it off Aug 09 and 102000 miles. Disappointed can't describe it. I did regular maintenance and I am frustrated. I had taken it to the dealer under the warranty numerous times to have them fix the problems. Now no warranty and it's a money pit.
4th Jan 2010, 17:18
I bought my 2002 Pontiac Montana Ext brand new. At 184,000 kms everything seems going well. For close to 8 years of driving it, I had only the minor repairs done, which are regular for all makes and models like brakes, suspension, battery and ignition motor. No problem with engine, transmission or manifolds. Still good for an 8 year old minivan. Just drive with care and don't push the van, and it's doing well.
8th Feb 2010, 18:32
Bought my 2001 Montana in 2005 with 58000 miles on it. It currently has 193,468 miles. No major problems so far. Wife drives it 65/70 miles a day for work. As a hauler of grandkids and vacation stuff, it works great.
2nd Nov 2010, 10:11
I had my Montana van for about 2 weeks. I bought it with 109,000 on it. So far, I had to replace the wiper motor, front headlights, battery in, get a new trans pan when I got a oil change.
It rides good, but if I press the gas too hard, the motor jumps. I think I'm going to trade this van in.
8th Nov 2010, 07:22
Like I wrote on November 6 2008, well this morning after putting a new gasket on the oil pan, took it for a ride, and I had a strange odor coming in exhaust fumes. Took it back to the shop, hoping that the exhaust was leaking, but no way, I have a head motor bolt that is broken; estimated at 1100.00, and also the rockers on the back need replacing, so a 2000.00 repair bill. I've decided to get rid of this nightmare, and like I wrote 2 years ago, NEVER WILL BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT IN MY LIFE. Rest in peace Pontiac Montana.
8th May 2011, 11:40
I had a rattle problem on starting on a 99 Montana. Took it to the dealer several times before they admitted that there was a service notice that it was loose fitting wrist pins, and that if the customer continued to complain, that the engine needed to be rebuilt. They rebuilt it, and then it didn't shift right. The vehicle was less than a year old, and I made them buy it back. Bottom line is that GM knew that the wrist pins were improperly fitted, and would only address the issue if the customer repeatedly complained.
8th May 2011, 12:43
Taking a chance on a used car is a very risky decision... even the best mechanics have been fooled on the condition of a vehicle... and a Pontiac Montana is a great vehicle if you get a good one... but if you get a bad one... look out... your child's future college education could be in real jeopardy...
8th May 2011, 15:56
It's not $1500 to replace the intake gasket on a Montana 3.4 engine; it is $400.
I do an average of 2 to 3 a week for $400 each in my shop.
Change the coolant and thermostat also while it's apart.
8th May 2011, 16:07
The fix for the melted connector at the tail light (which is the ground that overheated the connector) is to add a ground wire on the tail lamp housing ground circuit (on the tail light itself), and ground that to the van body, thus bypassing/and helping the factory ground connection at the vehicle tail light plug.
Do both sides.
12th Jul 2009, 21:21
We bought our Montana new. Again, it has had most if not all of the problems mentioned and probably a few more.
As far as the passenger side window, ours won't go down, but if you open and then shut the door, or stop and turn the car off then on again, it will usually work.
Also, have figured out the engine light comes on after a fill up and then highway travel. Will go off after a day or two.
Traction active light goes on and off for no apparent reason, like most of the other weird lighting functions.
Speed on the turn signals tells you the bulb is about to go out.