NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Pontiac Montana Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Pontiac Montana has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 49 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Pontiac Montana. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Pontiac Montana owner complaints

Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Pontiac Montana, describing incidents dated February 18, 1998 to March 6, 2014.

Most-cited components

Engine 15 complaints
Structure 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting 4 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints

Of the 49 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 49 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10585316 · Filed April 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE WITHOUT IT OCCURRING IN…
ODI #10568022 · Filed March 9, 2014
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…
ODI #10546347 · Filed October 1, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT REDUCED SPEED THROUGH URBAN AREAS, THE VEHICLE WILL INCREASE RPMS AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS UNSETTLING, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO…

Read all 49 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Pontiac Montana in 8 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE04-064: POWER-SLIDING DOOR
Closed December 22, 2004
- Recall 04V-597
Engineering Analysis EA03-005: REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
Closed January 12, 2004
Engineering Analysis EA02-032: SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Closed November 21, 2003
Engineering Analysis EA01-014: AIR BAG INFLATOR
Closed August 26, 2002
- Recall 02V027001
- Recall 02V027002
Preliminary Evaluation PE02-017: SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP
Closed August 2, 2002

3 more NHTSA investigations

Service Query SQ00-014: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
Closed October 22, 2001
- Recall 01V-067
Recall Query RQ00-006: TRACTION CONTROL
Closed April 20, 2001
- Recall 98V-072
Preliminary Evaluation PE00-045: AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
Closed January 11, 2001

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR

NHTSA #04V597000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 717,302 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04110 · Owners notified May 31, 2005 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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).

GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR

NHTSA #01V264000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported August 21, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 248,737 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01059 · Owners notified October 22, 2001

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR

NHTSA #01V067000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported March 8, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 477,011 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01013 · Owners notified April 18, 2001 · Vehicles built June 1, 1997 – August 31, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Pontiac Montana. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

49 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Montana.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #10585316

Incident: February 18, 1998 · Filed: April 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE WITHOUT IT OCCURRING IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER SIX PREVIOUS FAILED DIAGNOSTICS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/03/14 MA

Steering; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #10568022

Incident: March 6, 2014 · Filed: March 9, 2014

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

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10546347

Incident: August 21, 2009 · Filed: October 1, 2013

WHILE DRIVING AT REDUCED SPEED THROUGH URBAN AREAS, THE VEHICLE WILL INCREASE RPMS AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED WITH NO PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS UNSETTLING, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO INSURE THAT YOU DO NOT RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, THE RPMS RETURN TO NORMAL. IF YOU CONTINUE DRIVING WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS, THE ENGINE RETURNS TO NORMAL ONCE YOU ARE ABLE TO INCREASE YOUR SPEED IN LESS CONGESTED AREAS. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED RECENTLY, AND WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES. THE RECALLS THAT WE VIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE DID NOT REFER TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. ANY INSIGHT THAT YOU CAN OFFER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Power Train; Structure

ODI #10465118

Incident: February 1, 2012 · Filed: July 10, 2012

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.

Tires

ODI #10340075

Crash

Incident: May 3, 2010 · Filed: June 22, 2010

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

Steering

ODI #10261534

Incident: January 1, 1999 · Filed: March 11, 2009

I HAVE A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT-MONTANA! THE DEALER INDICATES IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE 02V28600. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM PART AND IT IS OBVIOUS GM KNEW AND SHOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MINE IS TOO NEW FOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT ONLY MONTHS BEFORE. EA02033 FIXES THE VEHICLES UP TO OCTOBER 31 1997. MINE IS A 1998 WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS SEEING AS IT IS A TRANSPORT WITH MONTANA TRIM. I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE IT FAILS AND SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY WIFE AND KIDS. I SPOKE WITH PONTIAC AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER AND NEEDS LESS TO SAY I GOT NO PLACE. I KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH BUT , COME ON YOU ARE MESSING WITH THE HEALTH OF MY FAMILY! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10255620

Incident: January 13, 2009 · Filed: January 20, 2009

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10100011

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 16, 2004 · Filed: November 16, 2004

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

Air Bags

ODI #10076083

Incident: June 3, 2004 · Filed: June 10, 2004

WHILE PARKED PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10072588

Incident: April 26, 2004 · Filed: May 13, 2004

A YEAR AGO,I PUCHASED A PREVIOUSLY OWNED 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA TRANSPORT VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A CERTIFICATED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC WITH OVER 10 YRS OF EXPERIENCE. SO, I AM AWARE OF POTENTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH USED VEHICLES. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 3 MONTHS AGO. WHEN I HAD A LOW COOLANT LIGHT COME ON. I IMMEDIATLEY CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW. I THEN, BEGAN TO LOOK FOR A REASON FOR LOW COOLANT. I FOUND THE COOLANT LEAKING EXTERNALLY OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA. I WAS ABLE TO PUT A SOCKET ON THE NEAREST INTAKE BOLTS AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE LOOSE. THIS TEMPORARILY STOPPED THE LEAK. SERVICED ALL THE FLUIDS. I ASSUMED THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY ENGINE NOISES, NO OTHER PROBLEMS, NOTHING ELSE. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE VAN AND IT LOST POWER MOMENTARILY, THEN A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. NO OTHER PROBLEMS, VAN RESUMED PERFORMANCE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE VAN AND ITS COMPONENTS. IT HAD A CODE OF 300 WHICH MEANT "RANDOM MISFIRE" IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CODE THAT COULD BE GIVEN BY NUMEROUS REASONS. I ALLOWED THE VAN TO IDLE TO OPERATING TEMPERATURES. WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY START IT BACK UP. NOW IT HAS NO OIL PRESSURE AND THE VALVES ARE RATTLING. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WERE AWARE OF ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS RELATING TO THIS MODEL. THEY DID NOT KNOW OF ANY. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALARMED AT WHAT I HAD FOUND. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS REPEATED OVER AND OVER WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AND COOLANT COMBINATION. SPECIFICALLY DEXCOOL, THE ORANGE COOLANT. IT IS SHOWING POSSIBLE INCOMPATIBILITIES BETWEEN THE COOLANT AND THE GASKETS USED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS, HEADS AND OTHER VITAL ENGINE COMPONENTS. ONE OF THE WEB-SITES I RESEARCHED WAS WWW.GM-V6LEMONS.COM. I WOULD LIKE FOR GM TO RADIFY THIS INTO A RECALL( SERVICE BULLETIN) BECAUSE SO MANY OF US HAS SUFFERED FROM THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT.*AK

Other Pontiac Montana model years

Check your 1998 Pontiac Montana VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Montana at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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