Check a VIN

Pontiac Montana door locks problems

37 of the 1,054 owner complaints about the Pontiac Montana describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 1999 model year.

owner complaints
37
worst model year
1999
typical mileage
32,700
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 14, 2015 · Locks · VT

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.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac montana. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle by using the automatic key fob remote, the vehicle would not start. The contact could not open the doors and became locked inside of the vehicle. The contact was unsuccessful when attempting to start the vehicle. The contact manipulated the manual door lock six times before the door opened. The contact was forced to get assistance from another driver in order to charge the battery to start the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The current and failure mileage were 108,000. Updated 8/15/14*cn updated 08/26/2014

Filed Jun 24, 2010 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 68,000 miles · WA · crash · 4 injuries

We have owned the car since oct 2005, purchased used from a saturn dealership. Car was involved in a gas tank recall, however we were notified nearly two years after we had a rupture that dropped an entire tank of fuel on the driveway and were told we were lucky to be alive having driven unknowingly with this leak. Tank was replaced under extended auto warranty. Multiple electrical problems: tail light goes out and is replaced, then driver headlight goes out. Water leaks inside drivers side headlight when it rains. The tail plug in for tail light bulb had gotten so hot it had melted the plug in both tail lights. Random electrical failure with windows and door locks occurring. Dash panel burned out, radio display bled out and radio then failed - would not turn off after button was pushed and had to be removed from the dashboard in order to avoid draining battery completely. Traction tire failure when engaged occurred in combination with power steering failure, cruise control failure, and on one occasion complete brake failure. No warning, no squealing, no grinding, no pulling to the side: just complete brake failure that resulted in an auto accident that injured 3 people. Non dealership mechanic checked the brakes and determined brake fluid leak/master cylinder caused the failure, stated regulatory system for brake system most likely resulted in leak. Mechanic also discovered drivers side front brake had seized and scoured the router and pad on the inside of the wheel. Brakes had been replaced two years prior and car had not been driven but for once a month short trips to the doctor for one of those years, the second year it was driven only 3 or 4 times and was parked in the driveway. Auto accident in may 2010 due to brake failure did not have air bag deployment in rear end collision. Car was broadsided on the passengers side in 2007 at a higher rate of speed and air bags also did not deploy. Injuries in both accidents. Car is a death trap.

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Body · WI

2005 pontiac montana. Consumer states problem with front passenger door *tgw the consumer stated the front passenger door had to be repaired twice in less than one year at a cost of $117.69. The second time, the consumer had to pay $ 109.82. The dealer replaced the door panel clips and door handle.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Locks · 55,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2009 · Locks · PA

The driver side back door will not close and stay closed. If I push the button to close it automatically, it comes right back open. If I use the override and close it manually, then the door chimes as I am driving telling me that the door is ajar. I also have issues with the passenger side back door. If I go over a bump or pot hole, then the chime starts and the only way to stop it is to open the door and re-close it.

Filed Aug 12, 2009 · Electrical, Locks · 113,546 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the power sliding door does not lock. The dealer stated that no recalls were available. The failure has been ongoing for five days. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, but the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic removed the door from the vehicle. When it was placed back on, the failure stopped for only a few days. The failure mileage was 113,546 and current mileage was 113,600. Updated 09/01/09. *lj the power doors would not lock. Updated 09/04/09.

Filed Dec 4, 2008 · Body, Locks · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 pontiac montana. The contact received a recall notice regarding the door handles on her vehicle. She was experiencing issues with the locks on the rear driver's side doors because they could not be opened from inside the passenger compartment. The federal safety agency campaign id number 04v597000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors) was similar to the failures the contact was experiencing; however, the manufacturer stated that they would not repair the defect under this recall because the failure was not involved with the previous recall that was issued. The current mileage is 116000. Updated 02-18-09 the sliding door didnot open from the inside. Updated 02/18/09.

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Body · 32,700 miles · IL

Automatic sliding door was not closing. Automatic door would not open. Automatic sliding door came open while driving with kids in the car.

Filed Apr 15, 2008 · Body · 120,000 miles · MI · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 pontiac montana. The contact stated that her daughter's leg became trapped on the rear sliding passenger door. The door is supposed to retract when an object is blocking the sensor. The contact also stated that the driver side door locks on its own. The dealer was notified, but would not provide a free diagnosis. The contact feels that the manufacturer should pay for the repair costs because she is making payments on the vehicle. The current mileage was 150,000 and failure mileage was 120,000.

Related recalls

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

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported August 21, 2001 · 248,737 vehicles affected
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: latchReported March 8, 2001 · 477,011 vehicles affected
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 Pontiac Montana door locks

Which Pontiac Montana years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1999 (8 complaints), 2001 (8 complaints) and 2005 (8 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Pontiac Montana?

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

Check its history