28th Dec 2006, 18:02
I have a 2002 Chev Venture Van with 200,000 km on it. So far I only had a few minor repairs. Just the other day, I was driving along and the passenger side air bag deployed for no reason. I called GM. They said they never heard of this. It is now sitting at the local GM dealership. Initially GM said they would help cover the cost, but then got back to me and said I was on my own. It is around $1500 to get this replaced. I was just wondering if anyone could lend any advice.
31st May 2007, 11:10
We bought our '02 Montana used and against all prior experience and instinct bought the used extended warranty. Best decision I ever made as the van very quickly developed a case of lemon-itis. To date we've fixed the windshield wiper issue, bearings, drive shaft and various other ailments in systems such as the ABS, all wheel drive, automatic door slide system, rear hatch power motor for the windshield wiper.
It was only after the warranty ran out that we discovered the head gasket was blown and had a cracked rear head.
After congratulating myself on having purchased and saved money with the used car warranty that I realized I was stupid in buying one of GM's worst lemons of the 21st century. If you're thinking Montana I have one simple word for you: Don't. I wish I had checked the net first and won't make that mistake ever again. Costly error but easily remedied by selling it back to another dealer when I traded it in for an import.
25th Oct 2007, 17:26
Re head gasket: I was told that the head gasket will go if you put another vendors anti freeze in the rad. g.m. only wants you to use gm parts.
18th Dec 2007, 12:56
Regarding the issue of head gasket verses only using GM anti-freeze...can't be true. I work for a small company and all we run are GM products. So far out of 10-mini vans we've purchased, most of them have this head gasket issue... they are all serviced by a local GM dealer; so tell me, is it true? It might be that the anti-freeze GM uses is too aggressive...
30th Dec 2007, 09:49
We purchased a 2002 montana with just over fifty thousand miles on it in 2005. Two weeks after the purchase the head gasket went and had to be replaced. Since then the gas gauge has went, the fuel pump as well which cost over 700.00 to repair. We have had one hub and wheel replaced 8 months ago with either the other going bad now or the one that was repaired going bad. My drivers side window goes down, but not up. The heat and air condition output is almost non existent. You don't feel it coming thru the vents, the back windshield wiper blade doesn't work at all. And to top it all off we were told the transmission is bad and will cost about 2500.00 to repair as the transmission is one of the most expensive out there and these vans have issues with transmissions kicking into overdrive. Lo and behold this morning the van won't start at all less than two weeks since the fuel pump repair. One thing is for sure, I would never recommend anyone buying this van, nor will we ever own one again. It is like a "money pit" for vehicles. Buyers beware don't buy one and you will save yourselves a lot of money and headache!
24th Jan 2008, 16:47
On the subject of the Montana and no heat or air coming from the vents; look in the glove box you will find a door inside. The door is an air filter that needs to be replaced. It is a cheap fix for heat and air.
10th Mar 2008, 12:43
DO NOT EVER CONSIDER ONE OF THESE VEHICLES... I purchased on 02 new and got the extended warranty, thank goodness.
This new vehicle has left us stranded 3 time when we first got it; it would just randomly stall, and then not start. We went through 2 fuel sending units, only after being told twice that there was no issue to be found.
I bought the AWD model, bad decision. All 4 wheel hub sensors have been replaced. The symptom is usually an AWD /TC error message followed by a disabling of the ABS system. The last time it occurred, we took it to the GM dealer, and they cleared the errors, and said they could not replicate the error. We drove about 5 kms, and the error happened again.
When we first bought the van from the dealer, the battery was dead. I am not sure how they boosted it, but apparently the 2 computers were not talking to each other, which lead to very poor performance.
The transmission has been replaced at 50,000 kms, and now my check engine light is on.. And the good news is that we just finally finished paying this lemon off.
I am tired of the domestic auto dealers building disposable cars, no wonder they are all going broke. If you are looking at a Montana, or a bike, choose the bike, it will actually get you where you need to go.
10th May 2008, 11:49
In regards to all the negative Montana comments - I have an '02 with 107,000Kms, have had it since 23,000kms.
The van is RELIABLE.
Biggest complaint: Bad wiring causes fuses to blow related to tail and dashboard lights for no apparent reason. Idiot GM mechanics have no idea how to fix. Also the design of the wipers is retarded, clean out the ice and snow before you turn them on or you will be paying for motors over and over!
No other problems. AT ALL.
19th May 2008, 05:45
I agree on the poor windshield wiper design.
My solution.
Buy a small tarp. and put over the windshield. Snow and ice cannot accumulate.
21st May 2008, 12:40
We bought an 02 Montana almost 2 years ago, and can I just say "These Vans Suck"!
We have had nothing but issues. We have no rear brake lights except for the top one. This has been in the shop to be fixed several times.
Our rear windshield wiper motor is done, which really sucks when it's raining or snowing!
We have major knocking coming from the drivers side when we turn the wheel, and we think it's the control arm and bushings.
Last night, the van started chugging. I am not sure what was going on. We came home and my husband called his mechanic friend, and they were going to take it to his shop and hook it up on the diagnostic computer to figure out what was wrong. But the engine light was on, and when he attempted to leave, the van would not start. So we had it towed to the shop where we bought it, and they called me and told me we are going to need head gaskets.
I am so angry! We don't even know if our warranty is going to cover this. We are a young family of 5 and this is our only vehicle, and this is going to take its toll on us.
Moral of the story... Don't buy a Montana!
1st Nov 2006, 17:57
We purchased a 2002 Montana EXT AWD with 87,000 km in May 2006. Nothing but problems since we have had it. Wheel bearings, CV boot kit, control arm bushings and the latest transmission rebuilt. We have spent roughly $4000.00 in 6 months on repairs. The mechanic also said the engine is making a noise now. All this and monthly payments... We also have a 2000 Chev Venture that's had all the same problems and more. It seems unbelievable!!