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2005 Pontiac Montana Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Montana, most often about the body and structure (26% of complaints, typically around 31,000 miles). It is 5th of 8 Montana model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2005 Pontiac Montana problems
Body and structure
21 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Both sliding doors problem malfunctioning. Driver slider will not open until you manually unlock from door. Passenger door will open without notice even after new motor/mechanism replaced by dealer. Abs system failure repaired three times in two weeks by dealer.
Automatic sliding door was not closing. Automatic door would not open. Automatic sliding door came open while driving with kids in the car.
Doors and locks
19 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side electronic sliding door erroneously become unlocked and slid open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. No repairs were performed. The contact also indicated that the…
Bought car used. It dinged and salesman said door just not closed properly. We brought it in 2 weeks later as door decides when it wants to close. Driver's side rear door to 2005 Pontiac Montana minivan. Dealer aligned door. Still won't close.
Electrical
17 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly, ignition.
This is a safety issue involving ABS system for my 2005 Pontiac sv6 Montana. On or about august 11, 2006 my ABS light came on while under normal operation of the van. This has been an intermittent problem over the past 6 weeks. I took it to a local independent shop to have it diagnosed and the local shop informed me…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side electronic sliding door erroneously become unlocked and slid open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. No repairs were performed. The contact also indicated that the…
Engine
7 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: engine.
: the contact stated the vehicle's headlights had an electrical issue that caused the lights to flicker and not remain illuminated. Previously, the brake lights and dash lights had also experienced this issue. The vehicle had been to the service dealer twelve times, but were unable to correct the issue. Updated…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle by using the automatic key fob remote, the vehicle would not start. The contact could not open the doors and became locked inside of the vehicle. The contact was unsuccessful when attempting to start the vehicle. The contact…
Brakes
7 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
My daughter had un-buckled her seat belt because it had locked up, so I went to make a quick stop so I could buckle her back up. I stepped on the brakes moderately hard and the anti-locks activated for about 1 second, then suddenly the wheels completely locked up and the van went into an uncontrollable skid. I hit an…
The attached date is the latest of the failures. I already had a complaint submitted regarding a crash due to ABS failure on december 31, 2005. Since the damage was fixed from the accident and the ABS was supposedly fixed, we have had many more ABS failures. It has been to the dealer 3 times (this time being the 3rd)…
Air bags
7 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH and crashed into a deer. The air bags did not deploy and there was damage to the hood, head lights, fender and passenger side door. The contact sustained a bruised eye and injuries to the lips. The passenger sustained a broken finger…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 10 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the driver's side rear of the vehicle, causing it to go into a tail spin. The contact was a passenger in the vehicle and stated that the seat belt did not restrain her and the passenger…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 7%Trim strips on both sides of van were rusting even though they were plastic. Was told that this was a known problem, there should be service bulletin on it, and that the paint surface was not cleaned properly before painting it, therefore iron/rust was bleeding through. This happened only on the trim strips on the…
Transmission
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle hubs, driveline.
Our 2005 Pontiac Montana sv6 minivan, less than 3 years old with 44,888 miles on it, recently failed the north carolina vehicle safety inspection because both front wheel hubs had developed unacceptable play. Pontiac refused to correct the problem under the vehicle warranty because the vehicle was over the 36000 mile…
: the contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the rear left sliding door opened without warning. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was also notified. Also, when the vehicle was started, the electric starter motor stayed engaged. The vehicle…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Pontiac Montana recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun at 1-800-488-0359.
Full defect summary
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Full defect summary
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
Fix: Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
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.
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
Odi evaluated general motors' (gm) data, conducted consumer interviews, inspected and tested my 2005-2007 gm minivans with regard to the alleged defect of a power sliding door (psd) opening while the vehicle is out of park.odi identified a high warranty claim rate.however, these claims are related to various problems associated with doors not properly opening or closing and not specifically to doors opening while driving.the condition of the psd reversing direction during the closing sequence is consistent with an obstruction of the door, or with improper alignment of the door, and this is addressed in gm technical service bulletin # 07-08-64-007 and bulletins # 07-08-64-007a through d.odi's
Power sliding door opening
Summary
Odi has received reports that the power sliding doors opened without command while the vehicle was in motion on model year 2005 and 2006 general motors minivans (chevrolet uplander/venture, pontiac montana sv6/montana, buick terraza, and saturn relay).some reports indicate that the door may not have been closed and latched before driving away causing the door to reverse (open) at low vehicle speeds.however, other reports indicate that the door was initially shut then opened after driving for several minutes and/or miles at vehicle speeds between 20 and 70 MPH.odi has upgraded this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis (ea07-019) to further assess this issue.
Electrical harness damage
Summary
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on november 29, 2005, based on one consumer report to odi and a technical service bulletin issued by general motors.the bulletin, no. 1613174, issued on february 21, 2005, states in part, some customers may report a stall and/or no crank, no start condition after the wipers are used.analysis of the available data indicates that the problem experience occurs early in the life of the vehicle.approximately 80% of all failures occurred within the first 3,000 miles.additionally, 88% of the complaint vehicles were built in the first half of production.changes to the production process, the issuance of the service bulletin, and component
Questions about the 2005 Pontiac Montana
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Montana?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (21 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles); doors and locks (19 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); electrical (17 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Montana have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 19, 2010 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Pontiac Montana?
- It is 5th of 8 Montana model years by number of complaints, with 81 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.