1998 Pontiac Montana Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Montana years
- Fewer complaints than other years 7th of 12 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Pontiac Montana. That ranks 7th out of 12 Montana model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (13 complaints, 27%), typically at around 74,905 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.
- 49owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 8NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Pontiac Montana problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 27% | 74,905 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 10% | 234,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 8% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 8% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 6% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 4% | 57,665 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% | 131,950 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | 62,615 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 2% | 115,230 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2% | 126,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Pontiac Montana recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Problem: Vehicle description: 1997-2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana/transport, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v-067) from april to august 2001. Also 2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in january through april 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched.
Risk: If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on october 22, 2001. 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 chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Problem: Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface.
Risk: An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
Fix: Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01v-264. 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 chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Power-sliding door (PE04064) — opened Sep 17, 2004, closed Dec 22, 2004, led to recall 04V597000.
- Rear axle trailing arm failure (EA03005) — opened Apr 23, 2003, closed Jan 12, 2004.
- Safety belt assembly failure (EA02032) — opened Nov 18, 2002, closed Nov 21, 2003.
- Shoulder harness clip (PE02017) — opened Feb 11, 2002, closed Aug 2, 2002.
- Air bag inflator (EA01014) — opened Jun 11, 2001, closed Aug 26, 2002, led to recall 02V027001.
- Air bag tear during deployment (PE00045) — opened Nov 3, 2000, closed Jan 11, 2001.
- Unexpected opening of sliding door (SQ00014) — opened Jul 25, 2000, closed Oct 22, 2001, led to recall 01V067000.
- Traction control (RQ00006) — opened Feb 16, 2000, closed Apr 20, 2001, led to recall 98V072000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall when making turns or when decelerating. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test where she was advised that they could not diagnosis the failure without it occurring…
The engine just turned off while starting to turn a corner. Lost power steering and power breaks, but the car just rolled on. Put car in neutral and turned key it started and then drove normally. This has now happened 4 times. The previous owner, when contacted, said, just restart the car! Does…
While driving at reduced speed through urban areas, the vehicle will increase rpms as if the accelerator is being depressed, even though the vehicle is being driven at a constant speed with no pressure being applied to the accelerator. It is unsettling, because you have to depress the brake pedal…
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the sliding doors could not be opened electronically, only manually. In addition, the gear shifter failed and could only be shifted into drive or reverse with force. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The vehicle was…
1998 pontiac montana,left front tire blew out. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck the median barrier *bf ohio traffic report # 10-0246-90. *jb
Other Pontiac Montana years
← 1997 Montana · 1999 Montana →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Montana | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 Montana | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 Montana | 37 | 2 |
| 2005 Montana | 81 | 5 |
| 2004 Montana | 39 | 3 |
| 2003 Montana | 84 | 5 |
| 2002 Montana | 126 | 3 |
| 2001 Montana | 156 | 9 |
| 2000 Montana | 228 | 5 |
| 1999 Montana | 235 | 5 |
| 1998 | 49 | 3 |
| 1997 Montana | 18 | 1 |
See all Pontiac Montana problems by year, every Pontiac model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Montana?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, structure problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 13 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Pontiac Montana?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Pontiac Montana a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Montana model years, the 1998 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.