During a regular oil change my mechanic discovered oil in the anti-freeze. Head gaskets went out. My mechanic states they have seen in almost every 3.4 pontiac montana mini van that around 80,000 miles there is oil in the antifreeze which indicates a head gasket malfunction. Took mechanic 3 days to fix my van to a cost of $1212.83 plus I was without a vehicle for 3 days. At about 79,000 miles the wheel bearing went out. Now the slider passenger door won't open or won't close at times.
1999 Pontiac Montana: doors won't lock, open or latch
8 of the 235 complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Montana describe doors won't lock, open or latch.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year
What owners say
Right sliding door opened while driving,and all mechanisms were inoperable. Took vehicle to pontiac dealership, and they stated that it was nothing they could do but put a new harness on because it was not a gm problem.
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.
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.
Automatic sliding door on passenger door opened by itself while driving at 40mph. Neither the driver nor passenger touched the door or door switch. This was on a smooth road going straight. The door latch system was replaced due to recall on 8/28/02.
Sliding door will not close. While driving door opens. Took vehicle to dealer, and they wiped off a connector plate, problem still occurred. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced the actuator. Problem still exists. Please provide any furhter information.
Purchaused used (6 months old) have now owned auto for 2 years. At 38000 miles transmission starting shifting harsh at times, had to replace transmission. Engine has started acting as if it is going to stall for no apparent reason. Radio has been replaced 3-4 time, due to garbbled display. Most recently however, I had door locks repaired, and was told that the wires to the locks were damaged due to the water intrusion caused by the air conditioning leak into the auto instead of outside the auto.
Sliding door locks would stick when using remote or manual control while getting in or out of vehicle. Would only be able to enter through driver/passenger door. Has been to dealership 5 times. Each time vehicle was repaired, but problem would reappear. Alternative solution was to replace sliding doors.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 04V597000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 01V264000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 01V067000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Pontiac Montana door locks
Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 1999 Pontiac Montana?
8 of 235 owner complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Montana (3%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Pontiac Montana?
There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Pontiac Montana
Airbag light 17Overheating 16Engine failure 10Stalling 8Seat belt 7Wipers 7ABS 6Transmission failure 6No deployment 5
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