1998 Pontiac MONTANA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003056 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
BOTH HEADLAMP LENS FELL OFF THE REFLECTORS, THEN BULBS BURNT OUT DUE TO SNOW CONTACTING BULBS.DEALER SAYS ITS A COMON PROPLEM BUT PONTIAC WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006533 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018760 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
1998 MONTANA VAN WOULDN'T CRANK AT WORK, THEN WAITED AND IT CRANKED. SECOND TIME IT STOPPED IN ROAD, THEN CRANKED UP. LATER TRIED TO CRANK AND IT WOULDN'T. HAD TO TOW VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT WIRES WERE CORRODED THAT AFFECTED SENSORS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018760 at NHTSA ↗
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 10044657 · 2003-11-24 (November 24, 2003)
THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AND CLOSE. WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, THE DOORS STOP OPENING AND CLOSING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FOR THE DOORS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, THE OVERRIDE BUTTON HAD TO BE ENGAGED. *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 86,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047598 · 2003-11-26 (November 26, 2003)
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. GM HAS A VEHICLE OWNER SATISFACTION PROGRAM INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEMS NOTED WITH THEIR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. GM REDESIGNED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND REPLACED THE GASKET AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS OF 1999-2003…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047598 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 10054632 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 98001 MILES. LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 97,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054632 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V067000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2001-03-08 (March 8, 2001)
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.
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V264000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2001-08-21 (August 21, 2001)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V597000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗