1999 Pontiac Montana complaints

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS WERE IN OPERATIVE. THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

MY 1999 MONTANA STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE RAPIDLY. TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS STATED IT WAS A WORN GASKET IN THE LOWER INTAKE. REPAIRS CAME TO $604. KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY VEHICLES WITH THE 3.4 ENGINE. I NOTICED THE LEAK AT 72,000 MILES BUT HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST 2.5 YEARS.*AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY- WITH KIDS IN CAR EN ROUTE TO FAMILY OUTING.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT VERY ROUGH AND HARD, AND TRANSMISSION EMITS A WHINING NOISE. ONCE IT STARTS, IT CONTINUES UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESETS. IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE INCREASES TO ABOUT 210, BUT IT'S NOT CONSISTENT. ALSO HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACES FOR $700.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

DURING A ROUTINE UNLOADING OF GROCERIES FROM MY REAR LIFT DOOR THE LEFT SIDE HANDLE SUPPORT SNAPPED OFF AS I WAS PULLING IT DOWN TO CLOSE IT SHUT.THIS HANDLE IS LOCATED ON THE REAR DOOR OF THE PONTIAC MONTANA. APPARENTLY THE CHEAP PLASTIC BASE COULD NOT SUPPORT MY NORMAL PULLING EFFORT TO SHUT THE REAR LIFT DOOR. MY EFFORT TO PULL DOWNWARD AND THE SUBSEQUENT BREAKAGE OF THE DOOR HANDLE PLASTIC BASE SUPPORT CAUSED A SMALL ABRASIVE CUT ON MY RIGHT HAND KNUCKLE. I DO NOT ABUSE MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS A NORMAL MOTION A VEHICLE OWNER WOULD TAKE IN ORDER TO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFTGATE ON A MINIVAN. THE PLASTIC HANDLE SUPPORT PART WAS OBVIOUSLY MADE OF POOR MATERIALS. *AK

LOW COOLANT ICON LIT UP ON DASH AT 15000 MILES.DEALER SAID INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 51500 MILES LOW COOLANT ICON LIT UP ON DASH. DEALER SAID INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF 503.00 DOLLARS TO MYSELF. *LA

THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER MANUALLY OR BY REMOTE. THEREFORE EVERYONE MUST GO THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN WHICH IS WHY I CHOSE A REMOTE CONTROLLED SLIDING DOOR FOR MY FAMILY. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE TO DEAL WITH. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER SIS NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BELTS AND OTHER PARTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WOULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

ON MARCH 27, 2004 MY WIFE NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELING STIFF ON OUR 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE "BRAKE", "ABS" & "TCS" LIGHTS CAME ONE. I CHECKED ALL THE BRAKE SHOES, CALIPERS ETC AND FOUND THEM TO BE IN GOOD ORDER. AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC CONDUCTED IT WAS EXPLAINED THE ABS AND BRAKE MODULES HAD FAILED. I AM CONCERNED WITH THESE TWO SYSTEMS FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY.*AK

1999 PONTIAC MONTANA VIN [XXX] GOOD WEATHER GOOD ROAD CONDITION. WHILE ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE A BIT AT ABOUT 60 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AS THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. TAPPED THE BRAKES AND MADE SURE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. PUT IT NEUTRAL AND THE ACCELERATION STOPPED. PROBLEM KEPT REPEATING AND DIDN'T NECESSARILY STOP WHEN IN NEUTRAL. THEN WHILE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND COASTING AT ABOUT 50 MPH CAR SWITCHED INTO PARK ON ITS OWN AND STALLED. RESTARTED CAR AND GOT IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED IT OFF. TRIED TO RESTART BUT THE ENGINE RACED FURIOUSLY. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TURNED ON THE CAR AND PUT IT NEUTRAL TO POSITION IT TO WINCH IT UP THE FLATBED. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN DRIVE AND RACED UP THE FLATBED WHICH WAS AT A STEEP SLOPE UNTIL IT STRUCK THE FRONT FRAME OF THE FLATBED AND THE DRIVER COULD TURN IT OFF. THIS WAS VERY SCARY. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. NEEDED REPLACEMENT AFTER LOSS OF COOLANT INTO OIL. EVEDENTLY A COMMON DEFECT. $700. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 24K MILES. DEALER FIXED. AT 79K MILES NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $3300. *AK

I HAVE NOTICED MY COOLANT LEVEL IS DOWN VERY OFTEN WITH THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT COMING ON, AS WELL. ACCORDING TO MY GM DEALER THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING COOLANT FROM MY 99 MONTANA WITH ABOUT 60K MILES. DEALER HAS INDICATED THE REPAIR OF THIS GASKET TO BE OVER $700 WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. I HAVE OWNED ABOUT 12 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND NOT ONE HAS HAD A PROBLEM LEAKING COOLANT OUT AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THIS MODEL ENGINE AND CONSUMERS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED, IF NOT FULLY, THEN PARTIALLY FOR THE REPAIRS. A $700+ REPAIR BILL IS WAY TOO MUCH TO EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO PAY OUT FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK

THE LAST 4 CARS I HAVE OWNED HAVE BEEN GM VEHICLES. I HAVE TRIED HARD TO BE LOYAL, WHEN IN 1998, MY 1992 OLDS ACHIEVE BLEW IT'S HEAD GASKET AT 79,000 MILES. A DEFECT THAT WAS SO COMMON ON QUAD-4 ENGINES IN THESE VEHICLES THAT MANY WERE RECALLED TO BE FIZED, BEFORE 75,000 MILES......I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL AFTER....BY 4,000 MILES!! THE TOTAL JOB COST ME $1700USD. I DID PURCHASE A 1999 MONTANA VAN AND ANOTHER BONNEVILLE (1995) OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. IN DEC. OF 2002 THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON MY MONTANA WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT, COST OF $388. THEN THIS PAST JANUARY, I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 BONNEVILLE AND MY HEAD GASKET BLEW. SO $1633 DOLLARS LATER, IT TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT BURNED OUT IN THE OPENING FOR THE EGR CHECK VALVE. AS I HAVE FOUND OUT ON MULTIPLE WEB SITES, IT SEEMS THAT ON THE 3.8L SERIES II ENGINES, THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WHEN GM CHANGED FROM A DIE CAST ALUMINUM PART TO THIS PLASTIC PLENUM TUB. THE PLASTIC TUB BURNS 1-2 HOLES AROUND THE EGR CHECK VALVE, WHERE THE WATER JACKETS ARE, THUS FAILING AND CAUSING COOLANT TO FILL IN THE UPPER INTAKE AND THEN BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. IT SEEMS THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT RECALLED ANY PARTS. AGAIN, THIS WAS MY 2ND BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BUT SINCE THE CAR WAS A 1995 I WAS UPSET, BUT FIGURED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. NOT 10 DAYS LATER THE 1999 MONTANA, WITH ONLY 79,000 MILES ON IT, BLEW THE HEAD GASKET (THIS A 3.4 LITER ENGINE

I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED ON MY 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA. THERE WERE ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE REASON FOR REPLACING IT WAS BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM THAT CAUSED "GUNK" TO BUILD UP AND EVENTUALLY RUIN THE ENGINE.

FRONT/REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT BACK TO THE LOCKING POSITION. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT WHILE DRIVING/RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

AT 54K MILES THE INTAKE GASKET REQUIRED REPLACEMENT ON A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA WITH A 3.4L ENGINE. HAD BEEN TOLD THAT IT HAD BEEN LEAKING COOLANT OUTSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR SOME TIME. LOCAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED GASKET REPAIR STATING THAT HE HAS REPLACE MANY GASKETS ON THE GENERAL MOTORS 3.4L ENGINES. MORE THAN HE COULD COUNT. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TWO PIECES OF THE ENGINE TOGETHER WITH THE GASKET BETWEEN ARE FINGER TIGHT IN MOST CASES. I HAVE OBTAINED A PRESENTATION FROM GM POWERTRAIN EXPLAINING WHY GASKETS LEAK ON THE 3.4L ENGINE. PRESENTATION SUGGESTS MODIFICATIONS TO THE GASKET AND TO BOLT TORQUE SETTINGS. I WAS TOLD BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A MORE ROBUST GASKET FOR THE REPAIR ALONG REVISED TORQUE SETTINGS FOR THE BOLTS AND SUGGESTED APPLICATION OF LOCTITE TO THE ENGINE BOLTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM BACKING OUT.

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AT 35,888 MILES. DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. VEH OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO AGE. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE DUE TO A LACK OF GREASE ON THE BEARING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK *SC *JB

CRACKED INTAKE VALVE

AT ROUGHLY 2K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THEN AGAIN AT 28K MILES, ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. BOTH WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I TRIED TO GET THE LOCAL DEALER AND GM TO BUY IT BACK SINCE IT WAS UNTRUSTWORTHY FOR MY FAMILY. THE MOST MY THREATS COULD DO WAS GET AN EXTENDED 60K/$0 DEDUCTABLE WARRANTY OUT OF GM. THEN AT 56.5K MILES, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEM GOT ME. THIS ALSO RESULTED IN A WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT.

ENGINE: INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. I FOLLOWED THRU WITH A COMPLAINT TO THE BBB AND TO PONTIAC'S 800 NUMBER. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE THE VAN DIAGNOSED AT A GM DEALER BEFORE ANYTHING COULD BE DONE BY PONTIAC. MY DEALER QUALITY PONTIAC IN COCOA, FLORIDA LOOKED AT THE VAN AND AGREED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING (NOVEMBER 2002). QUALITY INFORMED ME IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR. A PHONE CALL TO PONTIAC'S 800 # PUT PRESSURE ON THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED THE WORK FOR $100 PLUS EXTRA FOR A COOLANT FLUSH. THE TOTAL WAS AROUND $180. SUPPOSEDLY THE WORK CAME WITH A 12 MONTH 12000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK THE VAN HAD 58000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED. LOOKING BACK I HAVE A FEELING IT STARTED LEAKING EARLIER. TODAY WE HAVE 70500 MILES ON THE VAN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. THE CODES INDICATE THAT ENGINE CYLINDER 5 IS MISFIRING. WE HAD NEW SPARK PLUGS PUT IN AND WILL NOW TRY NEW SPARK PLUG WIRES. IF THAT DOESN'T FIX IT THEN WE MAY NEED TO PUT IN NEW FUEL INJECTORS. MY COMPLAINTS TO DATE WITH THIS VEHICLES ARE: 1. ORIGINAL TIRES WORE OUT AT 24000 MILES $500 2. BATTERY DIED IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS. $0 3. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED $ 156 - AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. 4. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED $180 5. SLIDING POWER DOOR MODULE FAILED 4 TIMES. $0 6. FRONT BRAKES DRUMS WARPED AT ~35000 MILES $250. FRONT ROTORS CUT AND PADS REPLACED. 7. WINDSHIELD BUZZED FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT (2 YEARS) AND TOOK US THREATENING THE LEMON LAW TO GET I

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE OIL ON MY 3.4 LITER ENGINE. AFTER COMPLAINING TO PONTIAC & THE BBB, GM OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR & LEAKING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR OH DECEMBER 16, 2003. SINCE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT, KEYLESS REMOTE FAILED ON 7/15/03 & SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO GO ON, JULY 28, 2003

MY 99 MONTANA (70,030 MILES BUT NEVER A PROBLEM) FAILED ON US ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF HAGERSTOWN MD WHILE RETURNING TO PITTSBURGH FROM OCEAN CITY ON 7/13/2003. THE SHORT STORY IS THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITH LITTLE PRIOR WARNING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, I HAVE IT AS WELL AS PHOTOS. THE LEAKING COOLANT MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND THE RESULTING EMULSIFIED COMBINATION RESULTED IN A RUINED ENGINE IN A VERY SHORT TIME. THE ENGINE HAD NEW OIL BECAUSE I CHANGED IT ON 7/5 AT 69,000 MILES AS SPECIFIED IN OWNER'S MANUAL PRIOR TO LEAVING PITTSBURGH. I STILL HAVE THE OLD OIL IN MY GARAGE AND IT IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I HAD THE VAN TOWED 180 MILES TO MY DEALER, THE POWER OF BOWSER, SO THAT THEY COULD TELL ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY OR GM CAN DO FOR ME. THE LOCAL GM SERVICE REP LOOKED AT IT ON 7/17 AND SAID NO GOODWILL WARRANTY AS DID THE PEOPLE AT PONTIAC CUSTOMER RELATIONS. (1-800-PMCARES SHOULD BE 1-800-WESAYNO). THE PEOPLE GM "EMPOWERS" TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT TECHNICALLY TRAINED SUCH THAT THEY CAN EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AND YET THEY MAKE THE DECISION THAT IT'S TOUGH LUCK. I WOULDN'T BE SO UPSET ABOUT THIS SITUATION IF I HAD DONE SOMETHING THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. BUT, I'M A FANATIC, I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3K AND DO ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT'S RECOMMENDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THERE IS NO WAY THAT A COMPETENTLY DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED ENGINE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THE TYPE OF FAILUR

LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. HARD TO SAY HOW MUCH TO DATE HAS BEEN INTERNAL, BUT HAS NEVER DRIPPED ON GARAGE FLOOR UNTIL THIS WEEK. I LIST MILAGE FAILURE AT 38,000 MILES BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED COOLANT LEVEL DROPPING WITH NO VISABLE LEAKS. CURRENT MILEAGE IS APROX 60800 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT SINCE JUNE OF 2001. 3.4L V6

I HAD A LOCAL GM DEALER REPAIR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON OUR 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA IN DEC. 2002. WE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP REPLACED ALSO AND HAVE THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AT THE SAME TIME. THE COST OF THOSE REPAIRS WAS IN THE RANGE OF $1,000 AND WAS DONE IN A VERY SATISFACTORY MANNER BY THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED THE SYMPTOMS. HE SEEMED TO HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS FROM OTHER OWNERS. OUR CAR BEGAN TO LOSE COOLANT AND THEN THE OIL BEGAN TO LOOK ORANGE AND FINALLY THE COOLANT WAS DRIPPING ON THE GROUND. THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN ABOUT 70,000 MILES. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF THIS VAN AND BOUGHT IT FROM THE REPAIRING DEALERSHIP AS A PROGRAM, USED VEHICLE WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE SAVED ALL OUR RECEIPTS FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED REPAIRS IN HOPE THAT GM MIGHT HAVE A RECALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IN MY OPINION, THE FAULT LIES WITH TEXACO AND OTHERS WHO MADE AND MANUFACTURED THE DEXCOOL COOLANT USED BY GM. JUDGING FROM THE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH THIS COOLANT (CATAPILLAR, CUMMINGS DIESEL.)

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002 (~53000 MILES)WE NOTICED THAT THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. SO WE ADDED COOLANT. THEN AGAIN IN NOVEMBER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO WE CONTACTED OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HE TOLD US THAT THE PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE GASKET WAS BAD. HE TOLD US THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. HE SAID THAT GM DEALERS IN THE AREA TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE MANIFOLD BEING MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE FACT THAT GM USES DEXCOOL COOLANT, WHICH EATS UP THE PLASTIC AND THE GASKETS. HE ALSO TOLD US THAT BECAUSE OF THIS SOME OF THE COOLANT SPILLED INTO THE ENGINE OIL. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WERE $392.57. WE NOW WILL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SPENDING $2000 - $2500 ON A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL. WE DID CALL THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE VAN AND THEY TOLD US TO CALL PONTIAC. WE DID CALL THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IN MICHIGAN AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE RESPOND. THANKS

ENGINE-LOW COOLANT LIGHT EVALUATED AND FOUND TO HAVE FAULTY INTAKE GASKET-REPAIRED, WOULD LIKE GM TO COVER UNDER RECALL, SERVICE MANAGER STATED "IT HAPPENS ALOT MORE OFTEN THAN GM WANTS TO ADMIT IN THE 3.4 AND 3.8L ENGINES IN SEARCHING RECALLS, NOTED SEVERAL PETITIONS WITH SAME COMPLAINT. STEERING--HARD LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS, EVALUATED AND SERVICE DEPT (GM) STATED NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR THE '99 MONTANA, THE RECALL ENDED WITH THE '98 TRANSPORTS. THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE CONTINUED, WOULD LIKE GM TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO COVER THE '99 MONTANA'S NOVEMBER 1, 2003 UPDATE:LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD IT INSPECTED AT HARRY'S PONTIAC, 819 PATTON AVE. ASHEVILLE, NC 28806 ON JAN 07,2003. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE LOWER INTAKE GASKETS AND DID SO ON THE 8TH. THE COST WAS $442.00, GASKET KI $49.46, COOLANT $30.00, CLEANER $4.67, SEALANT-R $11.79, SEAL $3.68, OIL FILTER $5.31, OIL $9.00, AND GASKET $47.40. THERE WAS ALSO TAX AND A 10% CHARGE FOR SHOP SUPPLIES/WASTE DISPOSAL FOR $15.00. MILAGE WAS 54,530. WE PURCHASED THE VAN IN SEPT 1999. WE TRADED THE VAN IN JUNE, FEELING THE MONTANA DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD TRACK RECORD AFTER ALL OF THE REPAIRS WE'D MADE. (TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, IDENTIFIED AS AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DIFFICULTY MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.)

AS APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE, THE INTAKE GASKET FAILED CAUSING DEXCOOL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND THUS CONTAMINATING NOT ONLY ENGINE OIL, BUT CAUSING FAILURE OF CRITICAL INTERNAL COMPONENTS DUE TO THE FACT THAT DEXCOOL DETERIORATES/WEAKENS CERTAIN METALS, ETC. IN OUR CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A 6 LANE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION OF PROBLEMS. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS INFERIOR DESIGN! A RECALL SHOULD BE BEGUN IMMEDIATELY. WITHOUT QUICK, CALM REACTION MY PREGANANT WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND SEVERLY INJURED OR KILLED. HOW WOULD GM DEAL WITH THE PUBLICITY OF THAT LAWSUIT!

THERE IS A DEFECTIVE INTAKE GASKET ON 3.4L ENGINES THAT ARE INSTALLED IN MANY OF THE GM MODELS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS AND A SERVICE MANAGER AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT HE REPLACES ABOUT 1 OR 2 A DAY AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT GM HASN'T BEEN FORCED INTO A RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN 2 TO 3 UPDATES SINCE 1999 IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PROBLEM. THE NEW PART # THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY ENGINE IS 89017279. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST GM IN THIS MATTER?? I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE ROYAL RUNAROUND BETWEEN GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE VAN FROM IN APRIL 2003.

COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AND NOTICED COOLANT ALWAYS MISSING FROM COOLANT RECOVERY TANK. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL GM DEALER AND AFTER TESTING FOUND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. AFTER VERY LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS ESSENTIALLY TOLD I WAS ON MY OWN THEY WOULD PAY NOTHING. GM ACTED AS IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE INTAKE/HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I HAVE AN UNCLE AND A FRIEND OF MINE THAT LIVE IN THE SAME TOWN I DO THAT OWN A PONTIAC MONTANA AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME GASKET PROBLEM. THEY BOTH CONTACTED GM AND WERE TOLD THE SAME THING I WAS TOLD. I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THERE 3.4 V6 ENGINES, STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN AVID GM SUPPORTER BUT THIS REALLY IS BEGINING TO CHANGE MY WAY OF THINKING.

HEAT & ENGINE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ON;HEATER BLOWER INOP AT SOME SPEEDS(REPLACE INTAKE GASKET AND BLOWER FAN RESISTOR PAINT PAINT BUBBLED ON HOOD TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFTING (FAULTY PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID) WHEEL NOISE IN BEARING (REPLACE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY) BRAKES A.B.S LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON(LOOSE WIRES;DISCONNECTED WIRE FAULTY SENSOR)ONGOING PROBLEM NOT FIXED(REAR WIPER MOTOR;PASSENGER MIRROR KEEPS SHIFTING;NO HEAT CONTROL IN POSITION HALF WINDOW HALF FLOOR

ENGINE. POOR GASKET/COOLANT DESIGN ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE CAUSING CAM BEARINGS TO SIEZE CAUSING MY CAM SHAFT TO BREAK. VEHICLE IS STILL 1,500KM AWAY AT A DEALERSHIP WHO IS CURRENTLY REPLACING WITH NEW ENGINE. MY COST= ENGINE+LABOUR+EXTRA WEEK HOLIDAY FOR BEING STRANDED+PLANE TICKET TO RETURN HOME {AND TO FLY BACK TO PICK IT UP ONCE EVERYTHING IS REPAIRED} I CHECKED THE INTERNET ON A HUNCH AND WAS ABSOLUTLY AMAZED AT THE EXTREAMLY HIGH AMOUND OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SMACKS OF A BAD DESIGN/ INSUFFICIENT TESTING/ AND COVER-UP ON GM'S PART EVEN WITH THEIR BULLITENS FOR THIS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STUCK IN THE HOLSTER DUE TO THE BELT FRAYING ON BOTH SIDES TO RELEASE THE BELT FROM BEING STUCK IN THE HOLSTER. *AK *SC *JB

VAN SHIFTS HARD AND OFTEN MAKES A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE. DEALER RECOMMENDS ~ $1100 IN REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION, SEVERAL NON-DEALER REPAIR SHOPS RECOMMEND REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION FOR ~ $1400. PROBLEM STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND NOW SEEMS RELATIVELY SEVERE WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NOW ON CONSISTANTLY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY IF THE VAN IS SHUT OFF FOR A SMALL LENGTH OF TIME. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND YET NO RECALL. RED

1999 PONTIAC MONTANA EXPERIENCED NO HEATING. GARAGE STATED COOLANT HAD SLUDGE AND WAS FLUSHED AND RECHARGED. AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES TO HOME, COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND STEAM ROLLED OUT UNDER HOOD. FOUND AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING IN NUMEROUS PLACES. GARAGE SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE. COOLANT CAP STATES COOLANT GOOD FOR 150,000 MILES. ONLY 49,000 MILES ON VAN.

THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS CAME OFF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER GOT INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING THE BULBS TO STOP WORKING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *AK

LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP LEAKING DEXCOOL COOLANT. DEALER REPORTS OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING, AND BOTH VALVE COVERS LEAKING OIL. DON'T KNOW IF THESE OIL LEAKS ARE DUE TO GASKET & SEAL DAMAGE FROM DEXCOOL COOLANT. *LA

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, LATE AT TIMES. RADIO/CD SCREEN IS GARBLED LOOSE SRS CONNECTORS POWER LOCK PROBLEMS SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS *LA

THE TREADS SEPARATED ON ALL FOUR TIRES WITHIN 200 MILES OF EACH OTHER WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BLOW OUT. THE DATES OF OCCURRENCES: 8/5/2003, 8/9/2003, AND 8/10/2003. *AK *SCC *JB

VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT SEAT BACKS. THE PADDING WASN'T PROPERLY DESIGNED WHEN MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, SEAT COVER MATERIAL IS RIPPING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE BOX CONTAINING THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPOSED. ALSO, AT 33,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A LEAK AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE MOTOR. *AK

THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE SEAT FRAME ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAD A PROTRUDING EDGE MADE OF METAL THAT STICKS OUT ABOUT 7 INCHES AND IS VERY SHARP. THE METAL HAS TORE THROUGH THE MATERIAL OF THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE DEADLY IN A SIDE COLLISION. *NLM

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND RADIATOR SLUDE ON 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA AS A RESULT OF DEX-COOL COOLANT

I HAVE JUST TAKEN IN OUR 99 MONTANA AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE AN ENGINE GASKET LEAK. THIS WILL BE THE 2ND GASKET LEAK THE ENGINE HAS INCURRED. THE FIRST ONE WAS A HEAD GASKET AND THIS MOST RECENT GASKET IS A LOWER INTAKE. THE REASON THIS CONCERNS ME IS THAT I HAD A DEAR FRIEND HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE ISSUE WHERE HE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED TO BE FRIDAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WHILE HE WENT OUT FOR REPAIRS HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE LOST HIS FIRST SON AND HIS SECOND SON HAD BRAIN DAMAGE. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LUCKY AS FAR AS CATCHING THESE GASKET ISSUES IN THEIR EARLY STAGES OF FAILURE. I COULD HAVE BEEN THAT GUY STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A GASKET THAT HAS FAILED, NOT ONCE BUT MAYBE TWICE. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAS A SERIOUS GASKET ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AND ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMER'S FAMILIES SAFETY. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED WATER MISSING FROM COOLANT RECOVERY TANK. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GM DEALER. AFTER THEY TESTED IT I WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1540.39. AFTER DOING A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND HUNDREDS OF WEBSITES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED GM FOR ASSISTANCE AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FROM ANYONE ELSE. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN PONTIAC MONTANA'S IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY BOTH CALLED GM AND WERE GIVEN THE SAME STORY I WAS TOLD. WITH AS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE ENGINE/VEHICLE I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND PAY FOR THIS REPAIR.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING SUBFRAME FELL TO GROUND, CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I TOOK MY 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT IS LEAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPAIRED SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. I HAVE 63,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT RATHER A FACTORY ASSEMBLY DEFECT OR POOR DESIGN. *AK