2003 Pontiac Montana Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 14%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 14% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“We have owned the car since oct 2005, purchased used from a saturn dealership. Car was involved in a gas tank recall, however we were notified nearly two years after we had a rupture that dropped an entire tank of fuel on the driveway and were told we were lucky to be alive having driven unknowingly with this leak. Tank was replaced under extended auto warranty. Multiple electrical problems: tail light goes out and is replaced, then driver headlight goes out. Water leaks inside drivers side headlight when it rains. …”
NHTSA complaint #10339878, filed 2010-06, 68,000 miles“A 2003 Pontiac Montana was in a parking lot. People sitting in driver's seat and front passenger seat. The ignition was on but the car was still in park. Without any warning, both side air bags deployed, causing soft tissue injury to driver's left lower rib cage. There were no other cars involved; there was no contact with any other object.”
NHTSA complaint #10361651, filed 2010-10, 152,000 miles“A recall for the air bag was issued. The dealer stated they did not know when the part would be available. Please provide additional information. Nhtsa campaign id number : 03v051000.”
NHTSA complaint #10099227, filed 2004-12, 26,000 miles“I was in a accident and hit a truck broadside. I ended up hitting the steering wheel with my chest. Not only was my seatbelt ineffective, but the airbag did not open. I did sustain chest injury. Iran a stop sign in town.”
NHTSA complaint #11150848, filed 2018-11“Got into van,started engine and reached to get seatbelt when there was a loud bang. I was very startled; ears ringing,left arm tingling/aching. Then realized that both side airbags had deployed. I shut the engine off wondering if someone hit me in parking lot but that was not the case. They deployed for no reason.”
NHTSA complaint #10453728, filed 2012-04Related recalls
- 03V051000Feb 14, 2003On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition…Covers: Pontiac Montana 2003, Chevrolet Trailblazer 2003, GMC Envoy 2003 +5 more
- 02V222000Aug 9, 2002Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.Covers: Pontiac Montana 2002–2003, Oldsmobile Bravada 2002–2003, GMC Envoy 2002–2003 +10 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 7 | 9% |
| 2004 | 4 | 10% |
| 2003 | 12 | 14% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
| 1999 | 32 | 14% |
| 1998 | 3 | 6% |
| 1997 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Montana
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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