2001 Pontiac Montana Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 13%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Pontiac Montana, 13% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ever since my husband and I bought the van it when you put it in a gear and step on the gas it would rev the engine and hit hard in gear and causing the van to jerk hard we took it to a mechanic where we were told and he said it was the drive shaft and replaced it and it should not jerk no more but it seems to be worse than it was when they fixed it.”
NHTSA complaint #10256399, filed 2009-01, 150,000 miles“At 60,000 miles the transmission is junk. I took my van to two different transmission shops and both said the same thing, it needs to be repalced or rebuilt! I quote we see alot of these Pontiac montanas come in, the transmission gives out between 50,000 and 70,000 miles. The planetary gears are shot, 4th clutch gone, metal debris through out the transmission!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10075393, filed 2004-06, 50,000 miles“I backed up to the laundry to wash clothes and proceeded to put the car in park and get out to get clothes out of the back. I pushed the brake and thought I had put the car in park because the key came out. When I started to step out of the van to get my clothes out of the back and my foot came off the brake, the car was still running and backed into a block wall. The wall was destroyed, but no one was hurt. The back door of the van is crushed. After a close examination of the ignition lock I found that the key will come out in any position, including running. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583714, filed 2014-04, 165,000 miles“2001 Pontiac Montana. This van is now a paper weight in my drive. After 53,000 miles the transmission is shot! Of course the warranty is null and void so I will have to cough up $2000.00 - $3000.00. Not a happy Pontiac owner!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10056565, filed 2004-02, 53,000 miles“The transmission on my 2001 Pontiac Montana minivan failed at 61,700 miles. I had purchased the extended warranty for 60,000 miles. Through the dealers help, GM will absorb half the cost of the $2,000 repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10107963, filed 2005-01, 61,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
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 2001 Pontiac Montana
36 complaintsElectrical system
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