Your vehicle report

2001 Pontiac Montana

The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.

NHTSA data through October 2026View original NHTSA data Change vehicle

Your vehicle at a glance

Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.

Owner complaints
156
Received Jan 2001 to Dec 2015
Official recalls listed
9
Naming this model year; check your VIN for applicability
BrakeNews flagged problems
0
Statistical signals, not official defect findings or recalls

Owner reports

Most reported problems

  1. 1
    Rear door latch fails to open or close19 complaints · 12% of this vehicle’s complaints
  2. 2
    Plastic intake manifold cracks and leaks coolant13 complaints · 8.3% of this vehicle’s complaints
  3. 3
    Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline9 complaints · 5.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
See all reported problems

Official NHTSA records

Recalls to check

  • Recall #07V349000On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures may lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
  • Recall #04V597000On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
View recall details

BrakeNews signals

Flagged complaint patterns

Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.

No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.

How flags are identified

Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 10 crashes, 3 fires, 26 people injured, 0 deaths.

Explore by system

Where do owners report problems?

Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.

Schematic car with five system shortcutsGeneric side view, with the front on the left. Numbered links explore engine, brakes, steering, electrical, and body complaints. Text controls below provide the same choices.12345FRONTSCHEMATIC VIEW

Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.

View selected problems

Showing all 20 listed problems by system.

Engine & powertrain

4 more problems

Brakes

Electrical & lights

Airbags, belts & seats

Steering, suspension & tires

Body, doors & glass

1 more problem

Driver assistance

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Other

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Complaints received about the 2001 Pontiac Montana
29
Show as a table
YearComplaints
200120
200211
200318
200418
200529
200613
200711
20085
20097
20106
20118
20121
20131
20144
20154
20160
20170
20180
20190
20200
20210
20220
20230
20240
20250
2026 (to Oct 2026)0
Total156

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

ProblemComplaintsShareShare ratioStatus
Rear door latch fails to open or close1912%–NHTSA recall #01V067000, #01V264000, #04V597000
Plastic intake manifold cracks and leaks coolant138.3%–
Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline95.8%–NHTSA recall #07V349000
Air conditioner blows hot air or fails85.1%–
Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips74.5%–
Tires blow out or tread separates63.9%–
Transmission fails or loses power while driving53.2%–
Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail42.6%–
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes42.6%–NHTSA recall #01V026000
Headlights dim or fail at night42.6%–
Vehicle catches fire from wiring42.6%–
Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines42.6%–
Head gasket leaks coolant into engine42.6%–
Water leaks into cabin during rain31.9%–
Glass shatters or cracks without impact31.9%–
Unintended acceleration despite braking31.9%–
Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up31.9%–
Tail light sockets melt and burn31.9%–
Front brake rotors warp and wear early31.9%–
Transmission will not engage reverse gear31.9%–

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

  • NHTSA recall #07V349000August 8, 200720,594 vehicles affected

    fuel system, gasoline: storage

    On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures may lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).

    A fracture may allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on december 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on december 13, 2007. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. The vehicle population includes Buick rendezvous and Pontiac aztek vehicle built in may 2003; Chevrolet venture and Pontiac Montana vehicles built from june through august 2002; and all vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico, and hawaii.

  • NHTSA recall #04V597000December 22, 2004717,302 vehicles affected

    latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

    On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.

    If a passenger uses the interior handle to open the power sliding door and holds onto the handle while it is being opened by the motor, the passenger's arm may be pushed into the seat back or armrest and a wrist or lower arm injury may result.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for appearance reasons. Note: before the vehicle is serviced, gm advises owners to not use the interior door handle to open the door. The driver Can open and close the door from switches at the driver's position or by using the remote key fob. The driver should tell passengers to use the switch located in front of the door to open or close it. The driver should use the override switch to prevent operation of the power door by children or by others who are not familiar with its use. The owner notification letter mailing will be conducted in phases with the first phase beginning on may 31, 2005. The second phase mailing began on july 18, 2005. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Phase 2 began on july 18, 2005. Phase 3 (final phase) began on august 24, 2005, to all remaining customers. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668; or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

  • NHTSA recall #03V250000July 15, 20031,707,825 vehicles affected

    equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

    Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.

    This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

    Remedy

    Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Gmc at 1-866-996-9463, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

  • NHTSA recall #02V329000December 9, 2002272 vehicles affected

    air bags: frontal

    On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.

    This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the AB8ILITY of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began december 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3.

  • NHTSA recall #01V383000December 13, 200175,816 vehicles affected

    seats: front assembly: recliner

    Vehicle description: certain mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.

    If the connector for a latch-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began april 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

  • NHTSA recall #01V264000August 21, 2001248,737 vehicles affected

    latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

    Vehicle description: 1997-2001 Chevrolet venture, Pontiac Montana/transport, and Oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01V-067) from april to august 2001. Also 2001 Chevrolet venture, Pontiac Montana, and Oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in january through april 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator Can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched.

    If this happens, the power sliding door Can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on october 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

  • NHTSA recall #01V067000March 8, 2001477,011 vehicles affected

    latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

    Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door Can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface.

    An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.

    Remedy

    Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01V-264. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

  • NHTSA recall #01V026000February 1, 200138 vehicles affected

    air bags: frontal

    Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.

    In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant Can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on january 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on april 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

  • NHTSA recall #00V228003August 7, 2000156,305 vehicles affected

    seat belts

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

    In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Other model years

About this data

NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2001 Pontiac Montana.

Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.

Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN