2002 Pontiac Montana

Defect. 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 REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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 DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Defect. 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).

Risk. A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.

Defect. 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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

Defect. 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 SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Risk. IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

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 REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Defect. 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.

Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

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 ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMERGING FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL COMING OUT THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE SEAL WAS MAKING A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: A-31191114851. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAL WHERE THE ELBOW CONNECTES,. THIS SEAL HAS BEEN DISCONUTINED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. I CANT AFFORD A NEW TANK. IF THEY CANT REPLACE THE SEAL THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TANK, THERE HAS BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLES. I AM LUCKY THAT MY VAN DIDNT CATCH ON FIRE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE VAN, WE PUT SOME PUTTY ON IT FOR GAS LEAKS AND THAT HAS SLOW THE LEAK DOWN, I HAVE NOT CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE VAN MY ONLY WAY TO GO, I CANT AFFORD TO PUT A NEW GAS TANK FOR 725.00. I DONT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT THEY CAN DISCONTIUNED A SEAL LIKE THIS THAT AND NOT WILLING TO REPLACE A HAZARD PART LIKE THIS, I PUT MY LIFE AND THE GIRLS LIFE IN DANGER EVERYDAY WE GO OUT IN THE VAN BUT WE HAVE NOT CHOICE.

THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE CAN CRACK AND LEAK RECALL.. I WENT OUT TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SMELT GAS. LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAN SEE GAS DRIPPING.HAD IT LOOKED IT AND SURE ENOUGH HOLE/CRACK IN FUEL TANK AND NOW THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING .CHECKED UNDER THE RECALL AND MINE IS NOT IN IT..

2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,426. ALSO SINCE THIS HAPPENING THE GAS TANK DOES NOT READ THE GAS AMOUNT CORRECTLY,ITS EITHER FULL OR LOW ON FUEL AND LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AT THE INLET. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,949.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,763.

REALIZED EXCESS USE OF BRAKE FLUID. TRACED PROBLEM TO LEAKING REAR BRAKE LINE - STEEL LINE CORRODED THROUGH AT AXLE CLIP LOCATION. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE - GRINDING. *TR

LOWER/UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 87160 MILES HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 142,500 MILES LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 183170 MILES. *TR

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY COMMON FOR GM VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL YEAR RANGE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING BANK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE BANK WHICH CONTAINS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE BACK-UP LIGHTS, AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS FAILS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO BE MOST AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHTS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NEAR-COLLISIONS DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012, I SMELLED STRONG GAS FUMES IN MY KITCHEN WHICH IS BY MY CARPORT. I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK AND SEE WHERE THE OVERWHELMING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. TIME I STEPPED OUT THE DOOR TO MY CARPORT WHERE MY VAN IS PARKED, I WENT TO MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA MINIVAN AND BEGAN LOOKING AND SNIFFING AROUND AND UNDER IT. TO MY SHOCK AND SURPRISE THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND FROM GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE INLET CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND CRY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF ANYTHING THAT COULD IGNITE OR START A FIRE AND THE EXPOSURE TO THE FUMES THAT WOULD ENDANGER MY FAMILY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY MECHANIC FOR HELP AND HE CAN OVER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE VALVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INLET AND TANK WAS LEAKING. HE THEN WENT ONLINE TO CHECK ON A POSSIBLE PART FOR THE FUEL TANK AND CAME ACROSS A RECALL CHECK. WE BOTH READ THE INFORMATION AND I CALLED PONTIAC ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10,2012 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM MY DEEPEST CONCERN ABOUT THE LEAK FROM MY FUEL TANK. THEY CONTACTED A DEALER AND HE TALKED WITH A AREA REPRESENTATIVE, SHE SAID MY SPECIAL WARRANTY EXPIRED JULY 27, 2012 FOR 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES CLAIMING THEY SENT IT OUT IN JANUARY 30, 2008 IN WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED AT ALL. AT THE DEALER I GOT A ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK PRICE AT $800.00 INCLUDING LABOR COST. THE AREA REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED AT FIRST $1500.00 TOWARD A NEW CAR, THEN OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF A FUEL TANK AN

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. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ROOF/GLASS OPENING WAS RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED BEFORE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE GLASS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN SPECIFYING THAT THE ROOF WAS TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE CONDITION. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT GLASS COMPANY, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS RUSTED. DUE TO THE RUST, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE NEW WINDSHIELD BECAUSE IT WOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERING OR SEPARATING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 188,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. IT NOW GIVES ME A READING OF EITHER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS OR AN EMPTY TANK OF GAS. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING TO THE FUEL GAUGE GOING BAD. THE INCORRECT FUEL READING OCCURS AT EVERY START UP, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN INCORRECT GAUGE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I HAVE NOT MADE A REPAIR AS OF THIS TIME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS FAULTY. FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 2011. *TR

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THIS MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODE. THERE IS ANY OTHER OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS 2002 MODEL. *TR

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA EXTENDED VERSION. I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS WET FROM GASOLINE UNDER FUEL TANK INLET TUBE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07V349000 WHICH HAD THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM I HAD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND THE TANK WAS REMOVED AND A NEW GAS TANK WAS ORDERED. I WAS CALLED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS THE EXTENDED MODEL AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $1,100.00. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND HE REPLIED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE, BUT THAT THE EXTENDED LENGTH MONTANA WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL THE OLD TANK AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE OVERFLOWING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 20 MONTHS, AND CONSTANT ABS SENSOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME. ALSO BRAKES KEEP WEARING QUICKLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR TEN MINUTES AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER AND POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPERATE BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

THIS 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA HAS BEEN OWNED BY US SINCE NEW. IT NOW WILL NOT SHOW A VALID QUANTITY OF FUEL , THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN IT DOES NOT IT IS BECAUSE IT SHOWS EMPTY AND THE WARNING BELL IS RINGING. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT STOPS THE BELL RINGING AND THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL AGAIN. I AM SEARCHING THE WEB TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS AND I FIND MANY MENTIONS OF THE PROBLEM BY OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT FLED A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE. THIS VAN ALSO IS IN NEED OF A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT, A PROBLEM THAT STARTED LAST YEAR IN EARLY 2008. *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE ALMOST HIT ME BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

I BOUGHT 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA USED IN DEC. 2008. FIRST THE RADIO DISPLAY WENT COMPLETELY OUT. THEN AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF... IT STARTED BACK UP AGAIN BUT I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED THREE CARS TO CRASH. THEN I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT, AND A WEEK LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT. I HAVE BOUGHT REPLACEMENT BULBS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK (THE BAR ON TOP IS WORKING). THE RADIO/ CLOCK DISPLAY IS JUST AN INCONVENIENCE BUT BRAKE LIGHTS... THEY ARE IMPORTANT! I AM BRINGING TO THE DEALER TODAY TO INSPECT. I SEE THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS AND SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED!!! I HAVE MY FAMILY TO PROTECT! *TR

BOUGHT MY CAR USED IN 2006,AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON A FEW YEARS LATER,DEALER WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE I DON'T QUALIFY FOR RECALL,TELLS ME CAR CAME FROM CANADA. DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU CHECK MY VIN IS ALSO REGISTERED IN THE US. MY CAR IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT,ONE REPAIR SHOP IS SURE IT'S THE INTAKE GASKET,BUT I CAN'T GET THIS FIXED EITHER BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL YET I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I SURE WISH I COULD QUALIFY FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK ON 1ST TRY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE THE SEAT BELT ACTUALLY LOCKS. THEN SOMETIMES IT WILL COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. NOT A VERY SAFE FEELING! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN UPDATED 01/09/09

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 104,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. PROBABLY DUE TO DEXCOOL BUT UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT BECAUSE FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER CLASS ACTION DEADLINE. THIS IS STILL HAPPENING WITH THESE GM VEHICLES BUT NO RECALL IS BEING ISSUED. IN OUR CASE, HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STRANDING US IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AT NIGHT, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE RADIO LIGHT IS 2/3 DIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 88,025 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,615. UPDATED 11/6/08 *CN THE MECAHNIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE DASH CIRCUIT BOARD HAD FAILED. UPDATED 11/10/08. *JB

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I SMELLED GAS AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM AROUND GAS TANK FILL NECK AREA. IN THAT I WAS CONCERNED WITH A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACK / FRACTURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL NECK GOING INTO THE GAS TANK. AS A RESULT THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN RECALL # 07V349000. UNFORTUNATELY THE LIMITED RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. IT APPEARS FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS APPROPRIATE WHICH COULD EXPAND THE RECALL. *TR

I ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER INTAKE VALVE GASKET BUT INSTEAD OF ONE TIME OF PAYING 5-700.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT DONE TWICE AND MY VAN ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS PROBLEMS BUT I THINK THAT IF THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OTHER MAINTENANCE WORK, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE INTAKE VALVE GASKET. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,652 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,452.

WE FIRST NOTICED FUEL SMELL IN THE GARAGE. FOUND A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM A CRACK AROUND THE FUEL TANK INLET. I WAS NOT ABLE AT THAT TIME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, SO I REPAIRED WITH SOME EPOXY PUTTY. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS BUT THEN IT BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN. THIS TIME I WENT ONLINE TO LOOK FOR REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT STATES THAT FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE MANUFACTURE DATE IS JUNE THRU AUG 2002. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11/2001. *JB

PONTIAC FUEL TANK DEFECT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE SPOKE WITH THE MFR AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY ITS NOT A RECALL**CC CONSUMER WROTE COMPLAINT IN SPANISH. *JB UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ

REF ERENCE TO COMPLAINT ODI ID NUMBER : 10133193. ON HOT DAYS WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. THE GARAGE THAT WE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIGURE OUT AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. ALSO THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHERE THEY HAVE HOOKED UP SOME SORT OF RECORDING DEVICE, BUT OF COURSE THE PROBLEM DIDN'T APPEAR. WHEN IT DID HAPPEN WE HAD TO WAIT AT LEAST ONE HOUR TO THREE FOR IT TO FINALLY CRANK OVER. WE HAVE SPENT MONEY ON THE POSSIBLE FIXES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT CONTINUED TO OCCUR. *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. REPLACEMENT OF GASKET RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIR AT ONLY 52000 MILES. *AK

AIR CONDITIONING DOESN'T WORK, 2) CONDENSER/COMPRESSOR FAILED. VERY COSTLY REPAIR, UNAE TO FIX IT AT THIS TIME DUE TO COST. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE INTAKE GASKET HAD CORRODED FROM A COOLING LEAK. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND THE ONLY COOLANT THAT THE DEALER IS TELLING HER TO USE IS DEX COOL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF COOLANT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE FAILURES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME OTHER TYPE OF COOLANT TO USE. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS SIGNS OF CORROSION, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND PREVENTS HER FROM KNOWING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HUB IS LOOSE, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND COMPASS HAS FAILED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, SINCE THE CONTACT CHANGED HER OWN OIL, THAT IS THE REASON SHE IS EXPERIENCING SO MANY FAILURES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT LIABLE. THE VIN IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

2002 PONTIAC MONTANA GAS GAUGE WILL SHOOT UP TO FULL AND THEN DROP TO EMPTY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I NEVER HAVE AN ACCURATE READING OF HOW MUCH FUEL I ACTUALLY HAVE. YESTERDAY WHILE AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL I RAN OUT OF GAS AND HAD TO CALL AAA FOR FUEL TO GET ME TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I MUST NOW SET MY TRIP COUNTER AT 0 WHEN I FUEL UP. THIS COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM IF I RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR SOMETHING (I HAVE CHILDREN) MAYBE EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY PONTIAC AND A RECALL BE SET IN PLACE. I FOUND OUT IT COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM 500 TO 750 DOLLARS TO FIX. RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR THE CONTACT'S SON REACHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT CLOSED ON HIS HANDS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR ONCE IT CLOSED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE CAUSED BRUISING AND SWELLING ON BOTH OF HIS HANDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERENO SENSORS ON THE SLIDING DOOR TO DETECT MOTION. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA TO A MECHANIC AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXTERIOR OF THE ENGINE AND THE OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS WAS DUE TO A FLAW WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 65000 MILES. *AK

INTAKE VALVE FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COULD HAVE LED TO A FIRE. MECHANICS SAY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT GM HAS REDESIGNED THE INTAKE VALVES THAT ARE REUSED IN THE REPAIR. SEVERAL OTHERS IN THIS AREA HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE, WHICH WAS USED IN THE GRAND AM CARS AS WELL. SEARCHES ON THE WEB ALSO SHOW THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR SO FAR. THE BULB ITSELF DOES NOT BURN OUT BUT THE PLASTIC ON THE BULB MELTS ON THE ONE SIDE COVERING THE WIRES. WE STILL HAVE ALL THE BULBS THAT WE REPLACED IF NEEDED FOR VIEWING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR OTHER ISSUES AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER; COOLANT WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING AT THE SEAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKED. PONTIAC DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AGREED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT CONTINUOUSLY, AND WERE REPLACED 20 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

AFTER TAKING MY 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA THROUGH A CAR WASH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED THE VAN AND TURNED IT OFF TO LOOK UNDER TO SEE IF ANYTHING FELL OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE VAN BACK ON THE LIGHT WAS OFF SO I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VAN SHOOK AND WOULD NOT STOP. EVER SINCE THE ABS LIGHT HAS STAYED ON. *JB

THE A/C ON MY 2002 MONTANA VAN WAS BLOWING WARM IN APRIL 2006. AT THAT TIME MY VAN HAD 54K MILES ON IT. SINCE SUMMER WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, I BROUGHT THE VAN TO MY MECHANIC AND AN A/C LEAK TEST WAS PERFORMED. $961.91 LATER, THE A/C CONDENSER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR IT. (OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS = REPLACE LEAKING A/C CONDENSER. EVACUATE AND RECHARGE SYSTEM TO SPECS) AUGUST CAME AND ONCE AGAIN THE A/C WAS ACTING UP. THE AIR WAS NOT VERY COLD AND THERE WAS A HISSING / FLUTTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE VENTS. I BROUGHT THE VAN BACK TO MY MECHANIC. AT THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS 58K. THIS TIME IT WAS THE REAR A/C LINE/HOSE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT HE TYPICALLY SEES THE REAR A/C OF MONTANA VANS HAVING ISSUES FIRST, NOT THE CONDENSER. AND HE HAD CHECKED THE REAR FIRST BACK IN APRIL AND IT WAS FINE. SO, $482.64 LATER THE FOLLOWING HAD BEEN FIXED: "REMOVE & REPLACE LEAKING REAR EVAPORATOR FEED A/C TUBE. EVACUATE AND CHARGE SYSTEM TO SPECS." AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I FEEL THAT THERE MAY BE A PATTERN HERE OR AT LEAST GM DID NOT USE EFFICIENT PARTS WHEN THEY PUT THE A/C UNITS IN THESE VEHICLES. *JB

GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLE TREAD---P215 70R15 SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ---25000 MILES---VERTICAL STRAIGHT LINE FAILURE-- INSIDE OUT IN NATURE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOLDINGS ABOVE THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. A NEW MOLDING (PART NUMBER 12453313) WAS ORDERED AND ARRIVED WITH ONLY TWO SCREWS AND TWO CLIPS WHICH WAS ALL THE VEHICLE CALLED FOR, HOWEVER THERE WAS NINE SLOTS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THIS MAY BE THE REASON WHY THE MOLDING FELL OFF THE FIRST TIME. THERE SHOULD BE MORE SCREWS AND CLIPS TO HOLD THE MOLDING INTO PLACE.