2003 Pontiac MONTANA: complaints, problems and recalls

VENTILATION SYSTEM BLOWS AIR INTO CABIN THROUGH INSTURMENT-LEVEL DASHBOARD VENTS, EVEN WHEN FAN IS OFF AND VEHICLE STATIONARY, AND EVEN WHEN FAN IS ON BUT DIRECTED TO FOOT ONLY OR DEFROSTER ONLY. PONTIAC DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND PONTIAC NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SHUT OFF THE FLOW FROM THE MIDDLE (OVER THE RADIO) VENTS. TEHRE IS A "WHEEL" TO BLOCK THE FLOW TO THE CENTER-LEFT AND CENTER-RIGHT VENTS ABOVE THE RADIO, BUT NO SUCH CONTROL FOR THE CENTER-CENTER VENT-…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005199 at NHTSA ↗

DURING THE FIRST BRAKING, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LET GO FOR A BRIEF SECOND. THIS HAPPENS ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING A NORMAL STOP. IT WAS EXPLAINED FROM THE DEALER THAT THE RUST BUILD-UP ON THE ROTORS MAY BE CAUSING THE BRAKE TO LOCKUP CAUSING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO FUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WITH YOUR FOOT PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008133 at NHTSA ↗

THE GEARS WAS ABLE TO SHIFT WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011898 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE FAILED TO RELEASE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017551 at NHTSA ↗

THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE LIFT WHEEL PIN IS NOT ADEQUATE TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021840 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. GENERAL GT2000 TIRE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038447 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING IN NEW VAN FILLED IT UP WITH GAS, AND WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND GAS WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK. CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF SOMEONE THREW A CIGARETTE OR A MATCH OUT OF THE WINDOW NEAR VEHICLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044051 at NHTSA ↗

2003 PONTIAC MONTANA STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. I DROVE THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES. NO PROBLEMS WAS FOUND BY DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED PONTIAC. THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN NOT TO START IT BACK UP, THEY WILL HAVE VAN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I AM NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 16,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049103 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

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.

Reported: 2007-08-08 (August 8, 2007)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).

Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.