Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the power sliding door would not latch when closing, causing the door to open when driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the latch failed. After contacting the dealer, the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v067000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
2001 Pontiac Montana: doors won't lock, open or latch
8 of the 156 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Montana describe doors won't lock, open or latch.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- 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
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac montana. The contact noticed that when the automatic door lock was depressed to open the doors, they would not open. The contact had to manually push the lock down so that it would function properly. He continued to notice the failure intermittently. In november 2009, the doors stopped locking altogether which progressively became worse until the doors would not close. The contact called the manufacturer who told him that there was a related recall for the failure but the repair had been performed previously. The contact stated that he never received a recall notice; the dealer informed him that he would have to pay a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle inspected. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The current mileage was approximately 133,000.
The design position and force of the sliding door operation caused the passenger arm to break when attempting to exit the van. *ak consumer recommended that gm should mound the door handle pointing forward instead of up because the handle would have slipped out of the passenger while exiting the van. Also, a force sensor in the opening movement like that in the closing motion. Lastly, consumer also suggested that a warning sign should be installed on the door. *la pe04064.pco
Power sliding door on a poniac montana minivan: the passenger was opening the power sliding door from the inside and got her forearm trapped between the inside door handle and the seat (hand pulling back on the handle and as the door slid open her elbow was pinned against the seatback). Since the door did not automatically reverse, it continued to open and eventually broke one of the bones in jonit's forearm.
The passenger side sliding door opened while driving.
Passenger sitting on the middle seat next to the power door had their right arm resting on the door handle, the button to open the door was pressed, causing the passengers arm to be trapped between the seat back and the door handle, passenger could not remove their right arm and the wrist was bent backward until the wrist bone snapped, this vehicle was a rental from alamo company. *slc pe04064.pco
Open the middle right seat door of the van and the door caught my hand around the door handle while it was opening, caughting my elbow between the door and the seat. Pe04064.pco
When opening door consumer's right thumb got caught in sliding door handle. Also, handle was trapped between consumer's fingers and thumb, which made it very difficult to release. This was a rental vehicle. *ak right rear door opened on consumers right wrist, elbow, and shoulder, consumer could not get his hand out of the door handle, consumer states that the driver door open switch should be disabled or inactivated, and also the switch on the door column right side behind the passenger should be removed, consumers finger was injured, vehicle had been rented from national rent a car.
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 2001 Pontiac Montana door locks
Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2001 Pontiac Montana?
8 of 156 owner complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Montana (5%) 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 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Montana
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