Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Pontiac Montana

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 329 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 02V027000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,730
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-25
Owners notified
2002-02-01

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE.

Safety risk

METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 1, 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 PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V071000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
59
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-12
Owners notified
1999-05-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS. THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT FRONT LOWER INSULATOR TO CRADLE CENTER METAL SLEEVE IS COLLAPSED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD IN THE JOINT. IF THE CLAMP LOAD IS REDUCED OR LOST, THE BOLT CAN BE LOST OR BROKEN AND THE JOINT CAN SEPARATE.

Safety risk

IF NOT REPAIRED, SEPARATION OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE JOINT COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CRADLE-TO-SUSPENSION INSULATORS AND THE ATTACHING BOLTS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine3155,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling2959,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2563,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1870,000 mi
Air bags1644,982 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1661,139 mi
Air bags: frontal1353,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1183,356 mi
Structure: body: door10795 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline883,356 mi
Electrical system7105,455 mi
Unknown or other644,982 mi
Power train570,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4154,800 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.453,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system4—
Suspension4135,600 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls435,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer472,747 mi
Air bags: side/window334,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights356,000 mi
Seat belts335,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seats380,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3—
Structure330,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments353,000 mi
Structure: frame and members3—
Tires3—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Exterior lighting2178,280 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system240,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors240,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor264,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic235,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder251,224 mi
Steering254,530 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables255,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Wheels2124,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module135,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system144,982 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control157,000 mi
Equipment115,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings151,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages153,000 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint112,700 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, electric1178,280 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut154,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing148,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber154,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt120,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover183,356 mi

The 1998 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of 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.