NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2005 Pontiac Montana.
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Component: STEERING
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.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE IMPACT TEST.
Consequence: IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!
VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS FOR YEARS. ONE DAY I STARTED IT UP AND WAS SMOKING HEAVILY. NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. NO LOOSE OR BARE WIRES, NOTHING UNORDINARY GOING ON UNDER THE HOOD THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NO SIGNS OF OPERATOR ERROR SO FORTH. *TR
MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND IS FLUCATING AND THE DASH READING IS SAYING THINGS. ITS ALL MESSED UP
The 2005 Pontiac Montana has 7 NHTSA recalls and 81 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence: A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF RETROFIT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN AT 1-800-488-0359.
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
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.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Component: PARKING BRAKE
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.
Consequence: WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
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.
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.
WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 55-60 MILES AN HOUR MY VAN WILL SUDDENLY "GRAB" AND MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND SAY SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM> IT MAKES ME ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM 55-60 MILES AN HOUR- ITS SCARY! THIS HAS HAPPENED MOVING FAST, AND ALSO TURNING. MOST RECENT DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS TODAY 3/9/16
[XXX] IS IN CUSTODY AN HIS CAR IS ABOUNDED ON THE 200 BLOCK OF HOBART AN VINE ST THE VAN DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOWS NO TAGS ON IT AN ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES ARE FLAT I NEED DRIVE HERE DOT COM TO COME REPO THIS CAR BECAUSE ERIC IS IN JAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE ANYMORE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR ALSO ERIC TOOK THE TRACKING DEVICE OFF THE 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED FOR FOUR MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED, THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 201,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY THE CAR IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP, I PRESSED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY BUT THEY FAILED TO WORK (THEY GOT HARD WHEN I PUSHED THEM) I TRIED TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. AIR BAGS POPPED OUT INSTANTLY, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THAT OCCURRED. *TR
THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE THERMOSTAT ON THE DASH JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND POP THE HOOD YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS COOL TO THE TOUCH. CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS AND THERE IS NO LEAK. *TR
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEP TURNING ON AND STAYS ON AS YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES IT JUST TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND TURN ON BACK AGAIN. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DVD PLAYER TURNED ON BY ITS SELF AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF IT WAS EXTREMELLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 23,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE BY USING THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB REMOTE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS AND BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANIPULATED THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK SIX TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER DRIVER IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 108,000. UPDATED 8/15/14*CN UPDATED 08/26/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ERRONEOUSLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE SHIFTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRONIC SLIDING DOOR ERRONEOUSLY BECOME UNLOCKED AND SLID OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TELEVISION MONITOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT FROM THE MONITOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE FUSE FOR THE MONITOR WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALER, MAKING THE MONITOR INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 05/30/2014 *JS
CREAK,POP,CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE IS NOTICEABLE DURING SLOW PARKING LOT MANEUVERS, AND IS MOSTLY EVIDENT IN A COMPLETELY STOPPED CONDITION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. I SPEND MONEY TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIT, AND NO ONE COULD FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *TR
Showing 15 of 81 complaints