2002 Pontiac Montana
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 18 |
| 1998 | 49 |
| 1999 | 235 |
| 2000 | 228 |
| 2001 | 156 |
| 2002 | 126 |
| 2003 | 84 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 81 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
21% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing storage.
10% of complaints: exterior lighting — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing brake lights and tail lights.
10% of complaints: service brakes — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
10% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and power window devices and controls.
Show complaint excerpts
2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WINDSHIELD *TGW LAST NOVEMBER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DIAGONALLY TOWARD THE LEFT LOWER CORNER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THE WINDSHIELD HAD RELEASED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120626
Also filed under STRUCTURE
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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 O
Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed
POWER-SLIDING DOOR
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 SLI
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
Campaign 04V597000 — check if this car was fixed
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 UNI
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.
Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed
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).
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 CON
Campaign 07V349000 — check if this car was fixed
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 REPLACEM
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 D
Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Pontiac Montana — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V597000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Pontiac Montana reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Pontiac Montana is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Montana?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Montana have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.