2001 Pontiac Montana transmission problems

Filed Apr 19, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 165,000 miles · MS · crash

I backed up to the laundry to wash clothes and proceeded to put the car in park and get out to get clothes out of the back. I pushed the brake and thought I had put the car in park because the key came out. When I started to step out of the van to get my clothes out of the back and my foot came off the brake, the car was still running and backed into a block wall. The wall was destroyed, but no one was hurt. The back door of the van is crushed. After a close examination of the ignition lock I found that the key will come out in any position, including running. I had thought the key was not supposed to come out except in the off position. Is this correct? I attempted to find out if it was in the gm recall from my local gm dealer and they claimed ignorance of anything and everything. Including even what constitutes a defective switch and what it is supposed to do and not do. It's like pulling teeth trying to get them to say anything. They say the factory sends them a list affected cars and they will not touch anything else no matter what the circumstances. The smell of gasoline is strong at times but a cursory examination by a mechanic doesn't show anything. After viewing the recalls concerning gas leaks I am worried. Can you tell me by the VIN how many of the recalls shown on your page this vehicle has had and what it has missed before it burns me to death?

Filed Jan 26, 2009 · Fuel system, Transmission · 150,000 miles · MN

Ever since my husband and I bought the van it when you put it in a gear and step on the gas it would rev the engine and hit hard in gear and causing the van to jerk hard we took it to a mechanic where we were told and he said it was the drive shaft and replaced it and it should not jerk no more but it seems to be worse than it was when they fixed it.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Lights, Transmission · PR

Dt: the contact states that her 2001 pontiac montero was having a problem with the headlights filling with water when it rains. This happened for three years. The vehicle was repaired by a dealership three years ago. Now there is the same problem with the headlights getting wet when it rains. The inside of the vehicle is getting wet also. The dashboard and instrument panel is getting wet. Had to put a towel on the dashboard to keep it dry. The transmission iwasnot working, and in order to take it down, the mechanic will have to have the vehicle towed. The contact did not want to pay that high price to have the vehicle fixed.

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · MI

Vehicle made a clunk on sunday june 19,2005 while backing out of a parking spot and going into drive. Drove it home 80 miles without any other symptom. Drove vehicle the next day 3 miles, and the transmission had a major internal failure while taking off from a stop light. Wife and 2 small children were stranded in an intersection with a vehicle that would not move. Had vehicle towed to local dealership. Needs a $2800 transmission repair. Dealer in possesion of old parts.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Transmission · 61,700 miles · MD

The transmission on my 2001 pontiac montana minivan failed at 61,700 miles. I had purchased the extended warranty for 60,000 miles. Through the dealers help, gm will absorb half the cost of the $2,000 repair.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · OR

At 60,000 miles the transmission is junk. I took my van to two different transmission shops and both said the same thing, it needs to be repalced or rebuilt! I quote "we see alot of these pontiac montanas come in, the transmission gives out between 50,000 and 70,000 miles." the planetary gears are shot, 4th clutch gone, metal debris through out the transmission!!!!

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Body, Brakes · 3,060 miles · LA

Gas leaking under the driver seat and under the hood. Also, gas was pouring out from the motor. *la the window failed to open, the consumer is currently waiting on a new motor. The rear brakes were leaking, the tie rods had to be replaced because they were loose, the left rear stuck became stuck, when the gear was taken out of park and placed into drive and the consumer proceeded to accelerate the vehicle jerked, the engine light illuminated, the dealer determined the emission system was dragging, the driver side mirror vibrated, the bumper cover was loose. When the consumer attempted to turn the key in the ignition, the vehicle did not start, the dealer was unable to duplicate the consumer's concern. The fuel pressure regulator was leaking and the fuel filter was replaced. The vehicle would not go over 10 MPH, the vehicle shifted and then returned to normal speed. The plastic on the drivers seat was loose.

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · MI

Upon starting vehicle, after it had been driven and parked, it launched forward. Then, after driving for a mile, vehicle wouldn't go into drive or reverse when consumer attempted to park in driveway. Dealership determined that transmission was defective, and needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · OK

2001 pontiac montana. This van is now a paper weight in my drive. After 53,000 miles the transmission is shot! Of course the warranty is null and void so I will have to cough up $2000.00 - $3000.00. Not a happy pontiac owner!!!!!!

Filed Dec 31, 2003 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · NJ

At 64,000 the transmission broke. I was told it has damaged gears in it which caused metal fragments to damage the transmission and it will have to be replaced. After looking on this website and speaking to previous owners of this vehicle this appears to be a common problem.