2002 Pontiac Montana Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 7%of 126 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,808miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Pontiac Montana, 7% of the 126 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,808 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver and passenger side brake lights constantly go out. I have spoken to a mechanic and he told me that it is very common for GM vehicles in this model year range to have to replace the lighting bank in the rear of the vehicles on both sides. The bank which contains the brake lights, the back-up lights, and the running lights fails and the brake lights seem to be most affected. I have had to replace my brake lights approximately once a month for multiple years. There have been many near-collisions due to brake lights not operating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10498563, filed 2013-02, 95,000 miles“This 2002 Pontiac Montana has been owned by us since new. It now will not show a valid quantity of fuel , the gauge shows full most of the time. When it does not it is because it shows empty and the warning bell is ringing. Turning off the car and restarting it stops the bell ringing and the gauge shows full again. I am searching the web to find a fix for this and I find many mentions of the problem by owners who have not fled a complaint with your office. This van also is in need of a heater core replacement, a problem that started last year in early 2008.”
NHTSA complaint #10287140, filed 2009-10, 80,600 miles“I bought 2002 Pontiac Montana used in dec. 2008. First the radio display went completely out. Then as I was pulling into a parking lot the car shut off by itself... It started back up again but I was in traffic and almost caused three cars to crash. Then I noticed that my driver's side brake light went out, and a week later the passenger side brake light went out. I have bought replacement bulbs and it still does not work (the bar on top is working). The radio/ clock display is just an inconvenience but brake lights... They are important! I am bringing to the dealer today to inspect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260549, filed 2009-03, 60,000 miles“Engine stopped without warning while driving a low speed on three seperate times. First time was in the middle of a right turn after traffic light change to green. The same thing happend a second time as I pull into a gas station. This third time happend as I was looking for parking space in the parking lot. In all three time, the engine stopped without warning and power steering was lost. I was able to stop the car and after restart the engine after shift to park. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the car after each incident as there are no fault code.”
NHTSA complaint #10074581, filed 2004-06, 27,000 miles“On very hot days, car cranks but doesn't start. After car is at operating temp. Sometines it starts after setting for 5 minutes, last time had to wait over 3 hours. Aaa doesn't understand the problem either.”
NHTSA complaint #10133193, filed 2005-08, 38,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10158863Mar 15, 2019This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new replacement fasteners with "conductive finish".
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- 10125106Nov 7, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle's odometer appears to be inaccurate relative to a known distance traveled…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | 22% |
| 2005 | 17 | 21% |
| 2004 | 5 | 13% |
| 2003 | 15 | 18% |
| 2002 | 9 | 7% |
| 2001 | 20 | 13% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
| 1999 | 14 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 10% |
| 1997 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Montana
24 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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