2006 Pontiac MONTANA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
81,102 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 37 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
Electrical System: 8; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Engine: 5; Power Train: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Suspension: 3; Tires: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2010: 6; 2011: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10205578 · 2007-10-13 (October 13, 2007)
2006 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN, 9,000 MILES, REAR STABILIZER SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NO ENCOUNTERED WITH ROAD DEBRIS, POT HOLES OR OTHER OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. A LOUD NOISED WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND SHE FELT THE REAR END WOBBLE. SHE PULLED THE VAN TO A STOP. THE REAR WHEEL AND "AXLE" BECAME "FREE FLOATING AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME" CAUSING THE TIRE TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE STABILIZER TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT WHILE MOVING…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208937 · 2007-11-14 (November 14, 2007)
BRAKING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AND SHAKE. WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN QUICKLY WHEN BRAKING. HAD TWO LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB REPLACED. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 15,000 MILES. HAD TO REMOVE & REFINISH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. HAD TO REMOVE AND RESURFACE REAR ROTORS. ALL WORK HAD BE DONE WITH UNDER 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233651 · 2008-07-09 (July 9, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA SV6. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IDLING, THE BATTERY VOLTAGE BEGINS TO DECREASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE RPM'S INCREASE, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE, BUT IT STILL PERSISTS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHUT AND LEAVES A ONE INCH GAP BETWEEN THE DOO…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509447 · 2013-04-24 (April 24, 2013)
THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS LOOM THAT RUNS ACROSS THE TRANSMISSION AND UNDER THE AIR BOX, WAS RUBBING THE TRANSMISSION AND WORE THRU 4 OF THE WIRES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 145,059 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504701 · 2013-03-27 (March 27, 2013)
TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP IN PARK WHEN PARKED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PUSHED WHILE SOMEONE IS PULLING DOWN ON THE SHIFT LEVER. RESULTS IN BEING STRANDED UNLESS SOMEONE IS AVAILABLE TO PUSH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311464 · 2010-02-17 (February 17, 2010)
CLUNKING NOISE DUE TO FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN 2006 MODEL PONTIAC MONTANA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10311464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320430 · 2010-03-17 (March 17, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHICH WOULD OCCUR REGULARLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. IN ADDITION, FOUR NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED WITH A WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICE, NONE OF WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE. MOST RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10611199 · 2014-07-17 (July 17, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES DUE TO THE WIRES BEING CUT AND GLUED BACK TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON EIGHT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10611199 at NHTSA ↗