2003 Pontiac Montana Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 12%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 12% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 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.
“This is my second Pontiac mini van with a leaking intake manifold gasket. The 1994 started leaking at 60k miles,my current van a 2003 is leaking at 45k miles. In my 94 van the engine failed at89k with religious oil changes and coolant flushes. My Montana also has had coolant and oil changes often. I know of others with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10156475, filed 2006-05, 45,499 miles“Was told intake manifold gasket failed. Over a thousand dollar fix with religious oil changes and coolant flushes, should not have happened. I have talked with many Montana owners of different years and all have had the same problem. This cannot be a surprise! There is something wrong here... Even two different repair shops said this is a common issue of the Pontiac Montana. I was told they were surprised it didn't happen sooner and there were signs it was in the making for awhile. Please look into this! Its not a cheap fix!”
NHTSA complaint #10264180, filed 2009-04, 86,600 miles“Check engine light came on and vehicle began to run rough. After service work was performed to diagnose the problem it was found out that two bolts that hold the rocker arm assembly on for cylinder #3 were in fact stripped and fell out of the engine head. Upon discovering this it was determined that checking the other side of the engine would also be prudent. There we also found one stripped bolt on the head. This engine had never before been apart. We bought the vehicle new and were shocked that such a mechanical failure could happen at 62,000 miles on a three year old vehicle!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10175727, filed 2006-12, 62,000 miles“The valve pulled out of rocker arm mid 2008 on #2 cal costing approx 600.00 repair again in 2009 the #3 cyl valve pulled out effecting another repair. Then a week later the #5 cyl has quit firing. This is the 3400 or 3.4 liter engine. My mechanic explained this was a common problem with this motor in the grand am or grand prix.”
NHTSA complaint #10266493, filed 2009-04, 73,000 miles“Intake manifold gasket is failing...and GM knows of this widespread problem and refuses to fix it out of warranty. My coolant was leaking out and they would never find the problem under warranty, and now they refuse with 4 months out of the warranty. Amazing.”
NHTSA complaint #10112526, filed 2005-03, 30,000 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…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
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 2003 Pontiac Montana
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsAir bags
12 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 30, 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