1998 Pontiac Montana Problems
- Complaints
- 49filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,055miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Pontiac Montana (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Montana. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and body and structure (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,055 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling13 27%
- Electrical system5 10%
- Body and structure5 10%
- Brakes4 8.2%
- Exterior lighting4 8.2%
- Air bags3 6.1%
- Seat belts3 6.1%
- Engine2 4.1%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (2), Steering (2), Suspension (2), Tires (2), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I noticed I have been using a lot of antifreeze in the van but no leaks under it. I took it to the garage to change the thermostat and to have it checked out. They told me my head gaskets are bad and need to be replaced, when I took it to the dealer he said I needed a new radiator too! I have been looking on the web and found many consumers with the same complaint as mine. Why haven't these 1998 Pontiac Montana's been recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #10255620, filed 2009-01, 109,000 milesElectrical system: “I was driving down the street when I noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of my vehicle. I pulled off of the road into a parking lot and ran inside a business to call for help. Within 2 minutes my vehicle was englufed in flames. I called 911. The vehicle is a total loss. We had just had the vehicle serviced and oil changed a month ago.”
NHTSA complaint #720588, filed 2000-03Body and structure: “The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Montana. The contact stated that the sliding doors could not be opened electronically, only manually. In addition, the gear shifter failed and could only be shifted into drive or reverse with force. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 234,000 and the current mileage was 239,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10465118, filed 2012-07, 234,000 milesBrakes: “The engine just turned off while starting to turn a corner. Lost power steering and power breaks, but the car just rolled on. Put car in neutral and turned key it started and then drove normally. This has now happened 4 times. The previous owner, when contacted, said, just restart the car! Does this relate to GM ignition switch recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10568022, filed 2014-03, 115,230 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 115,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V597000Dec 22, 2004Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Pontiac Montana 1997–2005, Chevrolet Venture 1997–2005, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1997–2004 +1 more
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.
- 01V264000Aug 21, 2001Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Pontiac Montana 1998–2001, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1997–2001, Chevrolet Venture 1997–2001 +1 more
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…
- 01V067000Mar 8, 2001Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Pontiac Montana 1998–2001, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1997–2001, Chevrolet Venture 1997–2001 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 1998 Pontiac Montana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022Fuel system, Brakes. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10017152Oct 26, 2005Electrical system. Power door lock inoperative.
- 10012745Oct 1, 2004Equipment. Information on error codes on radio display their cause and corrective action.
- 10016464Jul 1, 2003Electrical system. Wire harness may be stretched, or the pcs may not be oriented in the same position, after installing a service replacement valve body assembly. Gm tech link.
Other model years of the Pontiac Montana
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 37 | 81,102 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 81 | 38,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 39 | 42,221 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 84 | 50,000 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 126 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 156 | 62,229 | 9 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 228 | 66,632 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 235 | 60,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 49 | 75,055 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 18 | 80,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
All Pontiac Montana model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Pontiac Montana have?
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Montana as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Pontiac Montana is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 1998 Pontiac Montana been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Pontiac Montana reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,055 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 115,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.