Check a VIN

2005 Pontiac Montana problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Pontiac Montana is body and structure, typically around 23,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Montana model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
70/100
Owner complaints
81
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
567
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 2005 Pontiac Montana problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    21
  • Locks
    19
  • Electrical
    17
  • Airbags
    7
  • Brakes
    7
  • Engine
    7
  • Transmission
    6
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Seats
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Driver assistance
    3
  • Lights
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Wheels
    2
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Pontiac Montana

Door locks 8ABS 7Headlights 5

Recalls 5

Suspension: rearReported March 19, 2010 · 5,375 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The braun corporation has notified the federal safety agency about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded.
Risk
A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun at 1‑800‑488‑0359.

Recall number 10V110000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 31, 2006 · 794 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Risk
If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Remedy
Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1‑877‑477‑1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

Recall number 06V417000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported June 20, 2005 · 14,600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
Risk
When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876.

Recall number 05V287000 · Recall details

Seats: mid/rear assemblyReported February 18, 2005 · 18,850 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to the federal safety agency's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
Risk
If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.

Recall number 05V061000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported December 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles affected
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

See all 5 recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Montana

Defect investigations

Power sliding doorOpened December 11, 2007, closed February 23, 2009

Odi evaluated general motors' (gm) data, conducted consumer interviews, inspected and tested my 2005-2007 gm minivans with regard to the alleged defect of a power sliding door (psd) opening while the vehicle is out of park.odi identified a high warranty claim rate.however, these claims are related to various problems associated with doors not properly opening or closing and not specifically to doors opening while driving.the condition of the psd reversing direction during the closing sequence is consistent with an obstruction of the door, or with improper alignment of the door, and this is addressed in gm technical service bulletin # 07-08-64-007 and bulletins # 07-08-64-007a through d.odi's evaluation of the psd system notes numerous safeguards to preclude both unintentional and intentional power opening of the psd while the vehicle is in motion.a safety-defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.[see document file for additional information regarding this resume.]

EA07019

Power sliding door openingOpened August 16, 2007, closed December 11, 2007

Odi has received reports that the power sliding doors opened without command while the vehicle was in motion on model year 2005 and 2006 general motors minivans (chevrolet uplander/venture, pontiac montana sv6/montana, buick terraza, and saturn relay).some reports indicate that the door may not have been closed and latched before driving away causing the door to reverse (open) at low vehicle speeds.however, other reports indicate that the door was initially shut then opened after driving for several minutes and/or miles at vehicle speeds between 20 and 70 MPH.odi has upgraded this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis (ea07-019) to further assess this issue.

PE07044

Electrical harness damageOpened November 29, 2005, closed March 6, 2006

The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on november 29, 2005, based on one consumer report to odi and a technical service bulletin issued by general motors.the bulletin, no. 1613174, issued on february 21, 2005, states in part, some customers may report a stall and/or no crank, no start condition after the wipers are used.analysis of the available data indicates that the problem experience occurs early in the life of the vehicle.approximately 80% of all failures occurred within the first 3,000 miles.additionally, 88% of the complaint vehicles were built in the first half of production.changes to the production process, the issuance of the service bulletin, and component modifications, appear to have resolved this issue. A safety related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE05063

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Pontiac Montana 567

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 567 bulletins for the 2005 Pontiac Montana

2005 Pontiac Montana fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD162318
3.5L 6‑cyl4WD152117

What 2005 Pontiac Montana owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

Filed Apr 8, 2020 · Engine · 124,125 miles · MI · fire

Vehicle has been properly maintained under hood components for years. One day I started it up and was smoking heavily. No evidence has been shown to be a failure to maintain. No loose or bare wires, nothing unordinary going on under the hood that could cause this. No signs of operator error so forth.

Filed Mar 12, 2020 · Electrical · NY

My gas gauge stopped working and is flucating and the dash reading is saying things. Its all messed up

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · MI

When im driving down the road going 55-60 miles an hour my van will suddenly "grab" and make a sudden stop and say service stability control system> it makes me almost come to a complete stop from 55-60 miles an hour- its scary! This has happened moving fast, and also turning. Most recent date this happened was today 3/9/16

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 151,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac montana. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the rear sliding door opened. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to a complete stop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Body, Wheels · PA

[xxx] is in custody an his car is abounded on the 200 block of hobart an vine st the van do not have any windows no tags on it an all four of the tires are flat I need drive here dot com to come repo this car because eric is in jail and can not make anymore payments on the car also eric took the tracking device off the 'information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed May 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 201,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the ignition was turned to the on position and shifted into the park position. The contact exited the vehicle and left the vehicle unattended for four minutes. When the contact returned, the vehicle had crashed into a wall. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · AZ · crash

I was driving on the road at 30 miles an hour, suddenly the car in front made a sudden stop, I pressed the brakes immediately but they failed to work (they got hard when I pushed them) I tried to avoid the crash but it was too late. Air bags popped out instantly, there was no injuries that occurred.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Engine · 150,000 miles · LA

The vehicle is constantly overheating. The thermostat on the dash jumps erratically and as soon as you shut the engine off and pop the hood you can put your hand on the engine. The engine is cool to the touch. Changed several parts and there is no leak.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Airbags · CA

Airbag warning light keep turning on and stays on as you drive the vehicle, sometimes it just turn off by itself and turn on back again.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 Pontiac Montana before you buy

Compare the 2005 Pontiac Montana

Other model years

19971998199920002001200220032004200520062008

Questions about the 2005 Pontiac Montana

Is the 2005 Pontiac Montana reliable?

Owners have filed 81 complaints about the 2005 Pontiac Montana, close to a typical Montana model year.

What is the 2005 Pontiac Montana year score?

The 2005 Pontiac Montana scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Montana: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Pontiac Montana?

Body and structure, with 21 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles. Next is locks (19).

How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Montana have?

5 recalls, covering suspension, air bags and parking brake.

What year does the Pontiac Montana have the most body problems?

The Pontiac Montana model years with the most body complaints are 2000 (31 complaints), 1999 (22 complaints) and 2005 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Pontiac Montana get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Pontiac Montana range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 23 highway.

Share your experience with the 2005 Pontiac Montana

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2005 Pontiac Montana?

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

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN