2002 Pontiac Montana: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 126 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac montana. After the vehicle was driven and parked, the contact noticed a strong odor of fuel emerging from the rear. The contact checked under the vehicle and noticed fuel coming out the side of the fuel tank where the seal was making a puddle on the floor. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: a-31191114851. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2017
“The fuel tank inlet check valve can crack and leak recall.. I went out to take my kids to school and smelt gas. Looked underneath can see gas dripping.had it looked it and sure enough hole/crack in fuel tank and now the fuel gauge is not working .checked under the recall and mine is not in it..”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac montana. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was fractured at the inlet. The vehicle was previously repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,949.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the fuel gauge on the vehicle does not reflect the actual amount of fuel in the tank. In addition, the fuel warning light flashed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,763.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2015
“Realized excess use of brake fluid. Traced problem to leaking rear brake line - steel line corroded through at axle clip location. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2013
“2002 pontiac montana. Consumer states problem with vehicle windshield *tgw last november, the windshield cracked diagonally toward the left lower corner. Upon inspection, it was apparent the windshield had released from the upper right corner. The vehicle was inspected by a glass repair shop and they informed the consumer that the roof/glass opening was rusted and had to be repaired/replaced before they would replace the glass. The dealer informed the consumer there was a service bulletin specifying that the roof was to be replaced to fix the condition. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac montana. The contact was driving 30 mph when smoke emitted from the seat warmers in the front passengers seat. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 141,000.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac montana. The contact stated that while having the windshield repaired by an independent glass company, the technician stated that the frame near the top of the windshield was rusted. Due to the rust, the technician was unable to properly install the new windshield because it would increase the chances of the windshield shattering or separating. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but denied any assistance with repairs of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 188,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2011
“I own a 2002 pontiac montana and this morning when I started the vehicle the airbag in the front passenger side explode. There is any other owner with the same problem on this 2002 model. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2011
“I own a 2002 pontiac montana and the fuel gauge is no longer working properly. It now gives me a reading of either having a full tank of gas or an empty tank of gas. There was no previous warning to the fuel gauge going bad. The incorrect fuel reading occurs at every start up, and the consequences of having an incorrect gauge is the possibility of running out of gas. I have not made a repair as of this time. Please look into this issue, as many other owners are having this same issue, and it is apparent that the fuel gauge is faulty. Failure occurred in february, 2011. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 2002 Pontiac Montana reliable?
NHTSA has 126 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Pontiac Montana. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Montana problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Montana have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.