Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1999 Pontiac Montana
NHTSA data on file today
The 1999 Pontiac Montana has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 235 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E005000 STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V597000 GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V027000 GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V264000 GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V067000 GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V071000 GM/STEERING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 98 complaints
- Air Bags 31 complaints
- Power Train 30 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 22 complaints
- Structure 22 complaints
- Electrical System 12 complaints
Of the 235 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 235 complaints, owners report 18 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1999 Pontiac Montana has notable issues with the engine cooling system, airbags, and powertrain. Multiple recalls, particularly related to door latches and airbags, indicate safety concerns. Frequent engine complaints add to maintenance risks, resulting in a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 90,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| airbag system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | common |
| powertrain | 100,000–130,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | common |
| brakes | 90,000–110,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
| electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $100–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads every 40,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Inspect timing belt every 90,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Airbag warning light
- Slipping transmission
- Unresponsive brakes
- Electrical shorts or failures
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1999 Pontiac Montana at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.