Model year record

1998 Pontiac Montana

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 62 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V597000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
717,302
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-22
Owners notified
2005-05-31

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V264000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
248,737
Reported to NHTSA
2001-08-21
Owners notified
2001-10-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V067000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
477,011
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling475,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4
Structure: body: door4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system374,809 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe358,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine2100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine297,995 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch286,900 mi
Power train2100 mi
Power train: automatic transmission268,000 mi
Steering210,000 mi
Tires2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags1115,000 mi
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: integrated child seat1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes1115,230 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering: rack and pinion110,000 mi
Structure: body1234,000 mi
Suspension1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1126,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.