1997 Pontiac MONTANA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 18 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Structure: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10128679 · 2005-07-13 (July 13, 2005)
PONTIAC TRANSPORT MONTANA WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 1/2 HOUR OR SO AND BECAME INGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE MARSHALL THINKS IT WAS FROM BATTERY/ ELECTRIC. DESTROYED OUR CAR AND 5 OTHERS. NO HUMANS HURT...THANK GOD IT WAS PARKED AND MY SON WAS NOT DRIVING IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051512 · 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)
THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR IS THAT WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS, GOING APPROX 5-10 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY. IN ORDER TO RETURN DRIVING, THE CAR MUST BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN RESTARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROFESSIONALS AND NO ONE HAS AN EXPLANATION. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SMALLER PROBLEMS AS WELL, MANY OF WHICH I HAVE SEEN REPORTED IN THIS WEB PAGE. THUD IN GAS TANK, LEAKING COOLANT, DRIVER AUTO WINDOW MALFUNCTION, AS WELL A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051512 at NHTSA ↗