AI Damage1998 Pontiac Montana: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Pontiac Montana filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 49
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (27% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (10% of all).
- Structure: 5 complaints (10% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 4 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 49 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
1998 pontiac montana,left front tire blew out. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck the median barrier ohio traffic report # 10-0246-90.
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.
While traveling 45 mph, vehicle swerved to avoid another vehicle, and ran into a telephone pole. Neither driverside air bag nor passenger air bag deployed.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,395 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montana has 88 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 49, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Montana?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 49. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (8%), windows, sunroof (8%), headlights and tail lights (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Pontiac Montana?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Pontiac Montana from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.