Check a VIN

2001 Pontiac Montana engine problems

38 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,000.

owner complaints
38
of this car's complaints
24%
typical mileage
66,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Cooling system
    10
  • Engine
    9
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    6
  • Exhaust system
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Pontiac Montana engine problems in other years

1997199819992000200120022003200420052006

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Pontiac Montana engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Overheating 9

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2001 Pontiac Montana owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Engine · 200,100 miles · FL

The van when in park will revive the engine and jump, when stopping with new brakes and all that fun stuff when the van is doing this reviving state it takes longer to stop and like the van is fighting it. It sometimes over shifts when in this state when taking off from a light (does the reviving thing when moving. I am afraid one day it is going to jump and hit something or some one or not stop.

Filed Mar 2, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 3 miles · MI

Bought this 2001 pontiac montana with 132000 miles a week before. Going to pick up my son from work, early evening, 14 degrees outside. I look down and my temperature gauge shoot up and the red temp gauge comes on. I pull over. Bubbling fluids is all I hear. First we started off with no heat a few days before that. We had the heater core flushed out and that seemed to work. Changed the water pump and thermostat. O2 sensors need to be replaced (1+3). Fuel pump is rusted. And the hydroponic lifters are loud. Like the style but having problems. Noticed a few steering issues.

Filed Oct 29, 2010 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 112,438 miles · MO

Service traction light stays on. Turn signal lights blinked really fast and they light up everytime I push on the break. Replaced brakes. Problem caused tail lamp circuit board and light bulbs to burn out and melt connectors. Was unable to drive the vehicle because people on the road would not know when I was breaking and could possibly run into me. Knocking sound on right wheel and steering wheel is loose. Replaced stabilizers and sensors, rotated and balanced wheels. Scared that I may loose control of the car because it causes the traction to turn off and the vehicle slides which could lead to a multi-car accident. It also needs new shocks; they are leaking. Vehicle is running hot and is eating up the coolant. Have already put 2 gallons in the vehicle since sept. Water pump is leaking. Passenger window keeps getting stuck. Dealership says that the door needs to be replaced because it is an electrical issue. The majority of the problems that I am having are due to electrical issues. If you google problems with this particular model, you will find that the complaints are regarding the same issues that I have stated. I am low income and cannot afford to keep spending money to hypothesize what is the cause. I need gm to find out what is wrong with this vehicle. I can't get out of my contract and this vehicle is a road hazard. I noticed the issue with the door the same that I test drove the vehicle. The dealership refused to repair it even though it was on the inspection report. Still disputing issue with them. I noticed the problem with the wheel in april and have been constantly taking it back every since the first repair was done.

Filed Apr 20, 2010 · Engine · 102,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac montana. The contact stated he noticed engine coolant leaking from the head gasket. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the dealer advised the head gasket was defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 102,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2009 · Engine · 79,735 miles · NY

I was just driving to the store and all of a sudden without warning my van started to overheat and smoke the temp got to above 260 and it just stopped in the road. I had my children with me and had no idea what happened. My 17 year old son had to push me out of the road and I called my brother and he drove out to me and checked things out who is a mechanic and he said I blew a head gasket, he said these things happen but it should not have happened at 79,000 miles. I called around to see how much it would be to fix and so far no one will do it because it is alot of trouble.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Engine · NM · 5 injuries

When driving my 2001 pontiac montana at highway speed I start to feel very dizzy, get headaches, almost faint. I was told a certain valve near the engine needed to be replaced, along with the oxygen sensor, the maf sensor, and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. After researching the internet it seems that many 2001 montanas have the same problems. Which seems to me to be very dangerous. I have ended up in the urgent care and almost passed our several times. I have three young children and they are also affected by it, as well as my husband. I think the dealership needs to do a recall on this vehicle or something needs to be done. I have outstanding medical bills and am lucky that my and my family are still alive. So I am going to still research and see what I need to do because I am going to need to get this fixed, get another van which I can not afford, or get an attorney. Thanks for any advice.

Filed Oct 22, 2007 · Engine · 177,950 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac montana. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road and it shut off completely. He waited approximately 30 minutes and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle completely shut off again and he waited 30 minutes before restarting it to drive home. Two days later, the vehicle was towed to a mechanic and he stated that there was water in the engine and the manifold intake gasket was cracked approximately two inches. The dealer has not been notified. The current mileage was 178,000 and failure mileage was 177,950.

Filed Sep 4, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 100,322 miles · MN

2001 pontiac montana brake system failure. Customer states that her brake system failed unexpectedly. She wants general motors to reimburse her for fixing the vehicle. *kb the consumer stated the brake line leaked onto the electronic brake control module which caused an electrical short. The intake manifold gasket had to be replaced previously on the vehicle. *jb updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Engine · 68,000 miles · PA

The compressor for my 2001 montana, having only 68k miles was diagnosed as defective by jones pontiac service in lancaster. There was a crack in the compressor, which wasn't caused by wear & tear. The manufacturer, pontiac refused to replace this at a discounted cost. The replacement cost was $1,200. The compressor doesn't work, and would leak freon into the atmosphere if used. I haven't had this fixed or permitted freon to be filled into the compressor, so I haven't used the compressor. The compressor is needed to defrost the windows in the winter, which could cause a hazardous situation. I believe pontiac should hold the manufacturer accountable for this abnormal defect, and offer a 75% discount on the part.

Filed Feb 9, 2007 · Engine · 95,000 miles · GA

At 95,000 miles, my 2001 pontiac montana van began to leak water and I took it to a local mechanic. He informed me that the intake manifold gasket was leaking and that it needed to be replaced or that it would damage the engine permanently. In order to verify the problem, I took it to the local pontiac dealer and the diagnosis was confirmed. Both garages told me that they had repaired the same problem on many of the same engines that were used in chevrolets, pontiacs and oldsmobiles. The cost of the repair was in excess of $830. If these are inherent problems with these engines, why hasn't gm issued a recall? I repaired the same problem with my 1997 pontiac transport montana twice. When are they going to stand behind their product and repair the flawed design?

Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Montana engine

Does the 2001 Pontiac Montana have engine problems?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Pontiac Montana, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Montana engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Pontiac Montana engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Pontiac Montana have bad engine?

The Pontiac Montana model years with the most engine complaints are 1999 (100 complaints), 2000 (72 complaints) and 2001 (38 complaints).

Other 2001 Pontiac Montana problems

Electrical 20Transmission 20Fuel system 18Brakes 15Body 13Locks 11Steering 11Visibility 11Lights 10Airbags 6Suspension 5Tires 5Seats 3Acceleration 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Pontiac Montana?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history