1998 Pontiac Montana: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The engine just turned off while starting to turn a corner. Lost power steering and power breaks, but the car just rolled on. Put car in neutral and turned key it started and then drove normally. This has now happened 4 times. The previous owner, when contacted, said, just restart the car! Does this relate to gm ignition switch recall? *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
“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 report · Power Train · Feb 2012
“1998 pontiac montana,left front tire blew out. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck the median barrier *bf ohio traffic report # 10-0246-90. *jb”Owner report · Tires · May 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“I noticed I have been using a lot of antifreeze in the van but no leaks under it. I took it to the garage to change the thermostat and to have it checked out. They told me my head gaskets are bad and need to be replaced, when I took it to the dealer he said I needed a new radiator too! I have been looking on the web and found many consumers with the same complaint as mine. Why haven't these 1998 pontiac montana's been recalled? *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2009
“While driving on march 16,2004 I hit black ice in the road,went off the road, rolled over and both front doors came open by themselves and I suffered a head injury that I am still recovering from due to the doors opening. It could have been alot more seroius because during rollover I felt my legs go outside the vehicle.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2004
“While driving along hwy 101 the overheat light turned on and the temperature gage jumped to over the limit. We pulled over and checked the vehicle, it was not hot. However, the gage would not return to normal, causing the vehicle the chug and have very little drive until 15 minutes down the road it kicked back into normal like a bat outta hell. This, along a mountainous fast moving highway with logging trucks on my tail; not a very safe situation. On this same trip, the passenger window would not go back up, @ 55mph and 40 degrees, it was not pleasant.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 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 report · Power Train · Dec 2003
“We have had problems with both the left and right power windows. The right power window started sticking half way up. It was repaired at 36,000 52,000 and 80,000 miles. The symptoms were always the same except at 80,000 the window stuck down (during a very rainy weekend). It was no longer under warrenty and we had to pay for the repair. Now at 90,000 miles the driver window is sticking half way up again. It will totally freeze soon. The passanger window, which was aligned and lubed at 80,000 miles is stuck in the up position. We can't make it go down at all. Help”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
“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 report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003
“Currently running, but not for long. Low coolant light on lifters clanging. 75,000 mile now..... Running like crap. I see that there have been several complaints on this matter with major engine repairs. $$$$$$ when is gm going to recall???????”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Montana by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Pontiac Montana reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Pontiac Montana. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Montana problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,110 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Pontiac Montana have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.