1997 Pontiac Montana Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 44%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Pontiac Montana, 44% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1997 Pontiac Montana minivan. I have been told that I have the dreaded intake manifold leak. It appears that this is a huge problem with the 3.4 liter engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10023220, filed 2003-06, 80,000 miles“Lens cover over the headlights fell out of both headlights on seperate occcasions. I had to buy the whole headlight assembly. I was driving down the road and they just fell out and broke on the road. We currently have a problem with it overheating have replace thermostat and water pump still having same problem. Not fixed yet. The power sliding door alarms that it is open for no apparent reason. The door has not opened and closed by the power for several months. It has to be mannaully opened. We have also replaced the both air shocks in the rear of the van. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071083, filed 2004-01, 80,000 miles“Antifreeze leak; lead to replacement of lower intake manifold gasket (very costly) about 4 years ago. Needs replacing again. Dealership warns of excessive engine damage due to antifreeze in the motor oil.”
NHTSA complaint #10152769, filed 2006-03, 115,000 miles“A/c heat - air conditioning / heat unit in rear of van failed in 2001. Have not attempted to have it repaired to date. A/c and heat is ok front. Body - passenger automatic sliding door. Rattled almost from the day we bought the car. It also at times would not closed (in park). It would close automatically until it touched the car body then would re-open. They replaced the power sliding door unlatch actuator under a recall. Engine - starting at 48,000 miles the check engine light would start to blink when driving, immediately the van would start to run very roughly and have poor acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070634, filed 2004-01, 15,000 miles“Intake manifold gasket is damaged yet no parts available throughout us. Is this a known fact to GM? Is this a recall item. My van now overheats and cannot be repaired due to lack of parts.”
NHTSA complaint #761640, filed 2002-05Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 10 | 12% |
| 2002 | 24 | 19% |
| 2001 | 36 | 23% |
| 2000 | 69 | 30% |
| 1999 | 99 | 42% |
| 1998 | 13 | 27% |
| 1997 | 8 | 44% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Montana
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Montana
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology