1999 Pontiac Montana Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 14%of 235 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Pontiac Montana, 14% of the 235 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“At roughly 2k miles, the transmission was replaced. Then again at 28k miles, another replacement. Both were covered under warranty, but I tried to get the local dealer and GM to buy it back since it was untrustworthy for my family. The most my threats could do was get an extended 60k/$0 deductable warranty out of GM. Then at 56.5k miles, the intake manifold gasket problem got me. This also resulted in a water pump replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10069425, filed 2004-01, 56,500 miles“I have a '99 Pontiac Montana with GM's infamous v6 3.4l engine. Just had the intake manifold gasket job at 56.5k miles. This is a noted problem, with sudden over heating and the car stopped on my wife. Also the vehicle is on its third tranmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10008416, filed 2003-03, 56,500 miles“Engine. Poor gasket/coolant design allowed coolant to leak into engine causing cam bearings to sieze causing my cam shaft to break. Vehicle is still 1,500km away at a dealership who is currently replacing with new engine. My cost= engine+labour+extra week holiday for being stranded+plane ticket to return home {and to fly back to pick it up once everything is repaired} I checked the internet on a hunch and was absolutly amazed at the extreamly high amound of people having the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071343, filed 2004-01, 70,000 miles“Intermittently transmission will shift very rough and hard, and transmission emits a whining noise. Once it starts, it continues until the vehicle is turned off and resets. It appears to be happening when the temperature of the vehicle increases to about 210, but it's not consistent. Also had intake manifold gaskets replaces for $700.”
NHTSA complaint #10088537, filed 2004-08, 35,000 miles“Consumer complained about a transmission problem. When changing gears transmission had a hard shift. When starting from one gear to another there was a winding noise that could be heard when the vehicle was in motion. Consumer felt there should be a recall on vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10110945, filed 2005-02, 63,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10115081Nov 2, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 11% |
| 2005 | 6 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 9% |
| 2001 | 20 | 13% |
| 2000 | 16 | 7% |
| 1999 | 32 | 14% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1999 Pontiac Montana
99 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsOther 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