2004 Pontiac Montana: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (13% of complaints).
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 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Putting gas in tank and it just started pouring out from under the van. This happen at a gas station and I worried about an explosion.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac montana. While driving approximately 25 mph, a noise emerged from under the vehicle and a strong odor of fuel was present. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. Whenever the vehicle was started, the strong odor was prevalent and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 151,613. Updated 09/27/16*lj *cn”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2016
“Delay with windshield wipers, take too long to pop up and than wipe, design should have never been allowed, the couple of seconds it takes for the wipers to move from off position to when you turn them on is long enough to cause an accident on a day after it rains where you are passed by a vehicle driving through a puddle, cannot see, and could possibly injure somebody. Constantly losing power steering fluid. Transmission was replaced once due to slippage got it back and started to do so again the first 200 miles. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have replaced the head gasket on my 2004 pontiac montana every year at the same time this is the 3rd time I will have to have the gasket replaced I do believe this is a recall issue that should be corrected by the manufacturer since I have replaced it 2 times prior to this. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac montana. While parked, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor and discovered fuel leaking from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage) that could have been related to the failure. The contact stated the recall indicated all vehicles registered in arizona were included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Update 10/10/12*bf”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2012
“Repeated driving within 1/4 mile of the indianapolis regional air traffic control radar antenna causes some of the instrument panel failure indicators to turn on for several seconds. The "battery" and "airbag" indicators turn on and clicking noise is heard from the instrument panel. The lamp indications are about the same as when the engine is first started. My concern is that this may be doing damage to the computer which could result in a future failure. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac montana. The contact stated that when adding gasoline to the fuel tank he noticed that there was a leak underneath the vehicle. There were no warning signs prior to the failure other than the odor of fuel when the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who informed the contact that he needed to replace the entire fuel tank due to the neck of the tank being fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 278,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updtated 2/17/11 *cn updated 02/23/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2011
“The speedometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge all became erratic. After a little research I found that the problem is the defective stepper motors that run the gauges. You can replace them for $30.00 all you need is a soldering iron and about a half hour and you will have a working dash. Here is a little info on the stepper motors. Http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=95547 updated instrument cluster stepper motor part # is x25 168 you can buy them on ebay for 6 bucks a piece. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac montana. The contact stated that on april 6, 2010, while she was driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to about 70 mph. The service engine light was also illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal which stopped the acceleration. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who inspected the vehicle. The dealer then contacted the corporate office and requested that an inspector diagnose the failure. The vehicle was awaiting inspection at the dealer when the complaint was filed. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 56,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2010
“2004 pontiac montana-- service engine light continued to come on. Smelled gas in our garage daily. Were told by mechanic that fuel neck had a fracture and that was causing fuel leak. Researched NHTSA site and found that my vehicle had been recalled. The dealer said our particular VIN number was not covered and that the ones not covered were under warranty with regular wheelbase but our vehicle is an extended wheelbase. We are in process of repairing but if this is a problem with the year, make and model of our minivan then why aren't all of them included in the recall. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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 MINIVANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE TEXT AND FORMATTING ON THE WARNING LABEL ATTACHED TO THE AVAILABLE SECOND-ROW INTEGRAL CHILD RESTRAINT AS SPECIFIED BY AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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 2004 Pontiac Montana reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Pontiac Montana. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Montana problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 44,518 miles or less.
Does the 2004 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.