2003 Pontiac Montana
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
13% of complaints: exterior lighting — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY8% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Van crashed with damage to the front when it ran off the road and went into a culvert/ditch and air bags did not deploy resulting in paralyzation of the wife of the owner after van had been apparently donated to Charity Cars as junk vehicle or...
NHTSA ODI report, 20220520
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND HIT A TRUCK BROADSIDE. I ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. NOT ONLY WAS MY SEATBELT INEFFECTIVE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. I DID SUSTAIN CHEST INJURY. IRAN A STOP SIGN IN TOWN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181111
GOT INTO VAN,STARTED ENGINE AND REACHED TO GET SEATBELT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. I WAS VERY STARTLED; EARS RINGING,LEFT ARM TINGLING/ACHING. THEN REALIZED THAT BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120401
6% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 5 distinct reports on file.
INJURY6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.
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
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE
Campaign 03V051000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DO
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE
Campaign 03V250000 — 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
2003 Pontiac Montana — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V051000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) 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 2003 Pontiac Montana reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Pontiac Montana is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Montana?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Montana have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.