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2002 Pontiac Montana Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Montana, most often about the engine (20% of complaints, typically around 55,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Montana model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Pontiac Montana problems
Engine
25 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
Radiator needed to be refilled with coolant every week. Vehicle was taken to dealership,and mechanic determined the intake manifold cracked.
We ought the van as a program with 20,000 miles on it,within the first month the power windows would not work all the time meaning sometimes they work and sometimes they dont. Same thing for the interior lights. In the summer of 2003 the air condition developed a sloe leak that progressed within weeks,we now have no…
Fuel system
21 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
The fuel tank inlet check valve can crack and leak recall.. I went out to take my kids to school and smelt gas. Looked underneath can see gas dripping.had it looked it and sure enough hole/crack in fuel tank and now the fuel gauge is not working .checked under the recall and mine is not in it..
Tl contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Montana. While refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed gasoline overflowing from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 07e021000 (fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure…
Brakes
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Dt: ABS. While driving on the freeway with the cruise control on the car started to slow down without warning. The ABS light was on. Vehicle was taken to dealer and mechanic said the sensor and rod that engages the antilock brakes had corroded. This is not covered under consumer's warranty. The estimated cost is over…
After taking my 2002 Pontiac Montana through a car wash the ABS light came on. I stopped the van and turned it off to look under to see if anything fell off. When I turned the van back on the light was off so I drove down the road. When I applied the brakes the van shook and would not stop. Ever since the ABS light…
Lights
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, tail lights.
We ought the van as a program with 20,000 miles on it,within the first month the power windows would not work all the time meaning sometimes they work and sometimes they dont. Same thing for the interior lights. In the summer of 2003 the air condition developed a sloe leak that progressed within weeks,we now have no…
There are 2 main safety concerns with my 2002 Pontiac Montana thunder minivan. First, the rear driver's side brake light has gone out. Even with replacement of bulb and fuse, the brake light will not work. From researching on the internet, this seems to be a design defect and a common problem. This is a major safety…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, windshield.
The windshield wipers freeze up in the winter, making it impossible to see. They are recessed down too far and receive no heat from the defroster to keep them from freezing up.
Consumer complained about windshield wiper problem. Windshield wipers worked on high speed. However, when on a low speed windshield wipers stopped working. Consumer stated it was due to circuit board corrosion.
Transmission
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle hubs, driveline.
We ought the van as a program with 20,000 miles on it,within the first month the power windows would not work all the time meaning sometimes they work and sometimes they dont. Same thing for the interior lights. In the summer of 2003 the air condition developed a sloe leak that progressed within weeks,we now have no…
The transmission is out of my 2002 Pontiac Montana van with only 52,000 miles on it. I have already put 4 new tires on it and also new brakes and shoes all around. This all happened when there was 35,000 on the van.
Equipment
10 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: electrical, appliance.
The van was not equipped with a warning sensor to indicate when the sliding door was closing. This resulted in toddler's foot being trapped in the sliding door when it was closed. The toddler only sustained a scratch because he was wearing winter boots at the time of the incident.
The A/C on my 2002 Montana van was blowing warm in april 2006. At that time my van had 54k miles on it. Since summer was right around the corner, I brought the van to my mechanic and an A/C leak test was performed. $961.91 later, the A/C condenser was replaced along with the necessary parts for it. (official diagnosis…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The van was not equipped with a warning sensor to indicate when the sliding door was closing. This resulted in toddler's foot being trapped in the sliding door when it was closed. The toddler only sustained a scratch because he was wearing winter boots at the time of the incident.
: the contact stated the moldings above the passenger rear side tire fell off. A new molding (part number 12453313) was ordered and arrived with only two screws and two clips which was all the vehicle called for, however there was nine slots. The contact expressed that this may be the reason why the molding fell off…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Pontiac Montana recalls
Fuel system: storage
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 p
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 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 buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power-sliding door
Summary
Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's chair seat back creating a risk of injury (other seating configurations have ample seat to door clearance to avoid entrapment of the lower arm).among the 103 total reports, there were 102 alleged injuries including arm/wrist, thumb and shoulder injuries.a count of injuries reveal
Questions about the 2002 Pontiac Montana
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Montana?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (25 complaints, typically around 55,500 miles); fuel system (21 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); brakes (12 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Montana have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 8, 2007 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Pontiac Montana?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Montana model year since 2000, with 126 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.