2001 Pontiac Montana Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 23%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Pontiac Montana, 23% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2001 Pontiac Montana w/40,900 mi.in july 2004, on 8/18/2005 the head gasket blew out w/44,800mi.I towed to local garage where I was told to take to the dealer where I bought it, because of the well known problems with the 3.4l engine cooling system I have been quoted a price of $1325.00, GM said that they will pay $300.00”
NHTSA complaint #10133815, filed 2005-08, 44,833 miles“I own a 2000 chevy lumina and a 2001 Pontiac Montana both have 6 cylinder engines and I have had to replace the head gasket on both of these vehicles. One has 50,000 miles and the other has 70,000 miles. The mechanic that did the repairs said he is replacing the head gasket GM's 6 cylinder vehicles all the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10121308, filed 2005-05, 49,000 miles“Service traction light stays on. Turn signal lights blinked really fast and they light up everytime I push on the break. Replaced brakes. Problem caused tail lamp circuit board and light bulbs to burn out and melt connectors. Was unable to drive the vehicle because people on the road would not know when I was breaking and could possibly run into me. Knocking sound on right wheel and steering wheel is loose. Replaced stabilizers and sensors, rotated and balanced wheels. …”
NHTSA complaint #10362974, filed 2010-10, 112,438 miles“I had the oil changed and then a few days later the van developed a leak of a red/pink fluid. I took it in to the place where I had the oil changed and then to a local Pontiac dealer who also found the same problem. The problem is that the lower gasket went bad. It would take 1200 to 1500 usd to replace it. Both the local Pontiac dealership and the goodyear tire dealership that first changed my oil said that it they found it a common replacement on this engine, the 3.4 l GM.”
NHTSA complaint #10150175, filed 2006-02, 67,500 miles“Bought a 2001 Pontiac Montana with 102,400 miles on it and within three days of ownership the intake gaskets are blown. Repairs are estimated to be $700-$900 without knowing it has done more damage than that. Looked online and found a website that over 9600 people have signed that they had problems with that same engine 3.4l v6. There has been no recall from GM and I think that there should be. Why are we stuck with a bill that high, when it supposedly got rectified in 2002 vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147024, filed 2006-01, 102,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10234110Mar 17, 2023This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10227056Nov 9, 2022This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10222796Sep 14, 2022This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10214869Jun 15, 2022This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10209980Mar 31, 2022This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
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 2001 Pontiac Montana
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Pontiac Montana
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology