1998 Pontiac MONTANA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
75,055 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 46 complaints (8.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
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 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 7; 2001: 4; 2002: 11; 2003: 6; 2004: 11; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10028787 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
CAR STALLING AT ANY SPEED. CAR STALLED,ENGINE DESTROYED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 74,809 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057074 · 2004-02-12 (February 12, 2004)
ON JULY 18, 2003 WE TOOK OUR 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA (58,000 MILES) TO DOMAILLE BUICK-MAZDA-MITSUBISHI IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA FOR A 3,000-MILE OIL CHANGE PRIOR TO LEAVING FOR OUR SUMMER VACATION. ON THAT DAY THE MECHANIC INFORMED US ABOUT EVIDENCE OF A LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK AND THE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIR. HE ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR FEAR THAT THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF MAJOR TRAFFIC. THIS COSTLY PROBLEM, OF WHICH WE ARE NOW ACUTELY AWARE, IS FAIRLY COMMON AMONGST THIS LINE OF VEHICLE (CHEVY VENTURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069397 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
INTAKE GASKET FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO OIL.68638 MILES VALVE LIFTER KNOCKING.74809 MILES STALLING OF ENGINE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING. DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE.75110 MILES FAILURE OF CAMSHAFT. ENGINE THROWN INTO GARBAGE
Owner-reported narrative. 75,110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10546347 · 2013-10-01 (October 1, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AT REDUCED SPEED THROUGH URBAN AREAS, THE VEHICLE WILL INCREASE RPMS AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS UNSETTLING, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO INSURE THAT YOU DO NOT RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, THE RPMS RETURN TO NORMAL. IF YOU CONTINUE DRIVING WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS, THE ENGINE …
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052464 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON OUR MONTANA FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2500. I WAS DIRECTED TO THIS SITE AND SEE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON VARIOUS MODEL YEAR MONTANA/TRANSSPORTS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THESE? THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING, ON HILLY AREAS, ETC. ESSENTIALLY A TYPICAL USAGE OF SOME CITY, SOME HIGHWAY. ONLY 68,000 MILES AND NOW THIS?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465118 · 2012-07-10 (July 10, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, ONLY MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND COULD ONLY BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 239,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 234,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261534 · 2009-03-11 (March 11, 2009)
I HAVE A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT-MONTANA! THE DEALER INDICATES IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE 02V28600. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM PART AND IT IS OBVIOUS GM KNEW AND SHOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MINE IS TOO NEW FOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT ONLY MONTHS BEFORE. EA02033 FIXES THE VEHICLES UP TO OCTOBER 31 1997. MINE IS A 1998 W…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552563 · 2000-06-08 (June 8, 2000)
THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE DOOR MODULE FAILURE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002027 · 2002-01-11 (January 11, 2002)
ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WILL OPEN AND SHUT ON ITS OWN, SENSOR ON DOOR DOES NOT WORK WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE DOOR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002027 at NHTSA ↗