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Air bagsPart report

1999 Pontiac Montana Air bags Problems

Complaints
32about this part
Share
14%of 235 total for the year
Median mileage
44,982miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Pontiac Montana, 14% of the 235 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,982 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I had an accident where a car fish tailed in front of me slid directly in front of mine. I hit the other car while going 40 MPH, it was a t*bone collision. My front air bags deployed at the time of collision. After getting out of the vehicle I noticed that the passenger side air bag was laying in the front passenger seat with the air bag still inflated. I do remember that for a long time before today the red airbag light was on. I thought this would cause the air bags not to work. I do have pictures of the damage, and the defect with the air bag.”

NHTSA complaint #10496406, filed 2013-02, 260,375 miles

“I owned a 1999 Pontiac Montana van. On the december 19, 2004 around 2300 hours my grandson was driving the van on the us 31 bypass in south bend in. He was headed westbound around 50 to 55 miles per hour. It had rained and snowed some then it froze. A car in front of my grandson spun out of control, and he panicked and hit the brakes, and spun out into the concrete median dividing wall. There was considerable damage to the front of the van. Radiator was shoved into the block with fender, hood and bumper damage. …”

NHTSA complaint #10106145, filed 2005-01, 35,330 miles

“Engine: intake manifold gasket leaking. I followed thru with a complaint to the bbb and to Pontiac's 800 number. I was told I needed to have the van diagnosed at a GM dealer before anything could be done by Pontiac. My dealer quality Pontiac in cocoa, florida looked at the van and agreed the intake manifold gasket was leaking (november 2002). Quality informed me it would be about $500 to repair. A phone call to Pontiac's 800 # put pressure on the dealer and they performed the work for $100 plus extra for a coolant flush. The total was around $180. …”

NHTSA complaint #10069738, filed 2004-01, 35,000 miles

“Intake manifold leaking coolant into the engine oil on my 3.4 liter engine. After complaining to Pontiac & the bbb, GM offered to pay 50% of the repair cost. Faulty oxygen sensor & leaking fuel pressure regulator oh december 16, 2003. Since original complaint, keyless remote failed on 7/15/03 & seat belt pretensioner failed causing airbag light to go on, july 28, 2003”

NHTSA complaint #10069801, filed 2004-01, 44,982 miles

“Vehicle comes equipped with side air bags which are located in the front seat backs. The padding wasn't properly designed when manufactured. As a result, seat cover material is ripping, which will eventually leave the box containing the side air bag exposed. Also, at 33,000 miles the head gasket developed a leak and destroyed the engine motor.”

NHTSA complaint #10046161, filed 2003-11, 34,000 miles

Related recalls

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200613%
200579%
2004410%
20031214%
200276%
200164%
20002210%
19993214%
199836%
199716%

Other parts of the 1999 Pontiac Montana

Engine cooling
99 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Body and structure
22 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Equipment
10 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Pontiac Montana

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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