Average complaint count among 8 Montana model years — 5th most.
5recalls
81complaints
7crashes
3fires
16injuries
38,000median miles
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.
Does your car have an open recall? Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Mar 19, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V110000 · 5,375 vehicles
Problem: The Braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification May not have been adequately welded.
Original NHTSA wording
THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Risk: A squeaking or clunking noise May develop. The trailing arm bushings May prematurely wear and the trailing arm May fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Original NHTSA wording
A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 4, 2010. Owners May contact Braun at 1-800-488-0359.
Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Air Bags
Oct 31, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · 794 vehicles
Problem: Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Original NHTSA wording
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side May be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury May be increased.
Original NHTSA wording
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy & notes
Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on November 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Gm recall no. 06102.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Parking Brake
Jun 20, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V287000 · 14,600 vehicles
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
Original NHTSA wording
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.
Risk: When the parking brake is released, the driver May notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Original NHTSA wording
WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on November 14, 2005. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Gm recall no. 05059. Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Seats
Feb 18, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V061000 · 18,850 vehicles
Problem: On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat May be actuated and the rear latches May unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
Original NHTSA wording
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE IMPACT TEST.
Risk: If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch May disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
Original NHTSA wording
IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on April 5, 2005. Owners May contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Gm recall no. 05015.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Latches/locks/linkages
Dec 22, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V597000 · 717,302 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Original NHTSA wording
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.
Risk: 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.
Original NHTSA wording
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 & notes
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.
Gm recall no. 04110.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
Complaints by year filed
NHTSA investigations
POWER SLIDING DOOR
EA07019 · opened Dec 11, 2007 · closed Feb 23, 2009
Summary
ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOORS NOT PROPERLY OPENING OR CLOSING AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO DOORS OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE CONDITION OF THE PSD REVERSING DIRECTION DURING THE CLOSING SEQUENCE IS CONSISTENT WITH AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOOR, OR WITH IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE DOOR, AND THIS IS ADDRESSED IN GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 07-08-64-007 AND BULLETINS # 07-08-64-007A THROUGH D.ODI'S EVALUATION OF THE PSD SYSTEM NOTES NUMEROUS SAFEGUARDS TO PRECLUDE BOTH UNINTENTIONAL AND INTENTIONAL POWER OPENING OF THE PSD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.A SAFETY-DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.[SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.]
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
PE07044 · opened Aug 16, 2007 · closed Dec 11, 2007
Summary
ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND LATCHED BEFORE DRIVING AWAY CAUSING THE DOOR TO REVERSE (OPEN) AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS.HOWEVER, OTHER REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS INITIALLY SHUT THEN OPENED AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND/OR MILES AT VEHICLE SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-019) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.
ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE
PE05063 · opened Nov 29, 2005 · closed Mar 6, 2006
Summary
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005, BASED ON ONE CONSUMER REPORT TO ODI AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS.THE BULLETIN, NO. 1613174, ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005, STATES IN PART, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A STALL AND/OR NO CRANK, NO START CONDITION AFTER THE WIPERS ARE USED.ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE OCCURS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.APPROXIMATELY 80% OF ALL FAILURES OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 3,000 MILES.ADDITIONALLY, 88% OF THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE BUILT IN THE FIRST HALF OF PRODUCTION.CHANGES TO THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE ISSUANCE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN, AND COMPONENT MODIFICATIONS, APPEAR TO HAVE RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
2005 vs. other Pontiac Montana years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2005 Pontiac Montana have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Pontiac Montana, the latest from Mar 19, 2010 (suspension). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Montana?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (21), latches/locks/linkages (19), electrical system (17). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model
