AI Damage2000 Pontiac Montana: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Pontiac Montana filed 228 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 228
- involving a crash
- 14
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 30% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 69 complaints (30% of all).
- Structure: 31 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 22 complaints (10% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 22 complaints (10% of all).
- Visibility: 19 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 228 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 | 69 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 22 | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags failed to deploy with the significant impact. The contact sustained bruises on the body from the tightening of the seat belt. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Nhtsa id-=my accident 11-11-2010 daughters 3-18-2010 seatbelts did not lock down. 2 tbi accidents same year. No air bags deployed. No one asked if seat belts locked.did not know to report.
No air bag deployed.registered on11-28-2010.realized the seat belts did not activate either. No one asked.yes it was connected.mothers accident on 11-11-2010 rearend collision. Stopped hit by a truck traveling 35mpg no air bags. No seat belt lock down.
My steering wheel airbag did not deploy nor any other airbag. The second impact this year and no airbag deployment insurance,deems vehicle still safe. They came and looked at damage. Knowing daughter suffered a tbi in march for same defect they are not recognizing.
Shifting out of park while engine not running without the brake being on/stepped on, which resulted in the van rolling in reverse, thankfully it was in the driveway when this happen, was able to put it back into park (thank god).
When the engine become hot, it almost started a fire. I am a single parent with a ten year old. Dealers are still selling these pontiac montana's. We do not know how many deaths it may have already caused.
The contact stated that the tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated the circuit board wiring would have to be replaced. After the repair, the failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
I inspected further with a flashlight and mirror, and could see that the fluid was dripping from a bundle of brake lines attached to the chassis, of which one was severely corroded..
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 1,773 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montana has 88 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 228, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Pontiac Montana?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, structure, air bags. Total complaints: 228. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (7%), warning lights, check engine (5%), overheating, coolant loss (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 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 2000 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 2000 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.