NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Pontiac Montana Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Pontiac Montana has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 126 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 2002 Pontiac Montana, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2002 Pontiac Montana owner complaints

Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Montana, describing incidents dated December 24, 2001 to August 22, 2017.

Most-cited components

Engine 25 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 21 complaints
Exterior Lighting 12 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Power Train 11 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 11 complaints

Of the 126 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 126 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11018950 · Filed August 22, 2017
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…
ODI #11012958 · Filed August 5, 2017
THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAL WHERE THE ELBOW CONNECTES,. THIS SEAL HAS BEEN DISCONUTINED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. I CANT AFFORD A NEW TANK. IF THEY CANT REPLACE THE SEAL THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TANK, THERE HAS BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK ON…
ODI #10947666 · Filed January 25, 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..

Read all 126 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Pontiac Montana in 1 investigation. 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

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

NHTSA #09E005000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported February 17, 2009 · DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 979 vehicles

Owners notified February 23, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DORMAN STEERING KNUCKLES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION.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> .

FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE WELD

NHTSA #07V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 20,594 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06230 · Owners notified December 4, 2007 · Vehicles built February 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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).

Safety consequence

A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06230.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.

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

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/AIR BAG INFLATOR

NHTSA #02V222000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported August 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 133,221 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02032 · Owners notified August 15, 2002 · Vehicles built May 1, 2002 – July 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 02032. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Pontiac Montana w/SAB.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

126 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Montana.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11018950

Incident: August 22, 2017 · Filed: August 22, 2017

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11012958

Incident: August 1, 2017 · Filed: August 5, 2017

THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAL WHERE THE ELBOW CONNECTES,. THIS SEAL HAS BEEN DISCONUTINED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. I CANT AFFORD A NEW TANK. IF THEY CANT REPLACE THE SEAL THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TANK, THERE HAS BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLES. I AM LUCKY THAT MY VAN DIDNT CATCH ON FIRE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE VAN, WE PUT SOME PUTTY ON IT FOR GAS LEAKS AND THAT HAS SLOW THE LEAK DOWN, I HAVE NOT CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE VAN MY ONLY WAY TO GO, I CANT AFFORD TO PUT A NEW GAS TANK FOR 725.00. I DONT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THEY CAN DISCONTIUNED A SEAL LIKE THIS THAT AND NOT WILLING TO REPLACE A HAZARD PART LIKE THIS, I PUT MY LIFE AND THE GIRLS LIFE IN DANGER EVERYDAY WE GO OUT IN THE VAN BUT WE HAVE NOT CHOICE.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10947666

Incident: January 13, 2017 · Filed: January 25, 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..

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10929457

Incident: November 27, 2016 · Filed: December 1, 2016

2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,426. ALSO SINCE THIS HAPPENING THE GAS TANK DOES NOT READ THE GAS AMOUNT CORRECTLY,ITS EITHER FULL OR LOW ON FUEL AND LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10862774

Incident: May 25, 2015 · Filed: May 3, 2016

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10712164

Incident: April 22, 2015 · Filed: April 22, 2015

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.

Engine

ODI #10519591

Incident: December 12, 2006 · Filed: June 12, 2013

LOWER/UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 87160 MILES HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 142,500 MILES LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 183170 MILES. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10519590

Incident: November 22, 2006 · Filed: June 12, 2013

PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE - GRINDING. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10519588

Incident: May 23, 2013 · Filed: June 12, 2013

REALIZED EXCESS USE OF BRAKE FLUID. TRACED PROBLEM TO LEAKING REAR BRAKE LINE - STEEL LINE CORRODED THROUGH AT AXLE CLIP LOCATION. *TR

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10498563

Incident: November 2, 2009 · Filed: February 19, 2013

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY COMMON FOR GM VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL YEAR RANGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING BANK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE BANK WHICH CONTAINS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE BACK-UP LIGHTS, AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS FAILS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO BE MOST AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHTS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NEAR-COLLISIONS DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR

Other Pontiac Montana model years

Check your 2002 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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