2003 Pontiac Montana Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 17%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 17% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 to kept changing the brake lights in the back because they keep going out ever few weeks. We even went and bought a new stop signal switch but that wasn't it. We want to know if there was a recall on the brake light and the wiring and why they keep going out. We have had issues since we bought in june 2014. We are just tired of keep pouring money into it but I don't want an accident or to get pull over either. The only light that never has an issue is the brake bar on top.”
NHTSA complaint #10679563, filed 2015-01, 128,000 miles“Brakes lights and head lights on my 2003 Pontiac Montana have been going out periodically for several years now. After replacing light housing, bulbs and other components, the brake lights continue to blow out. At one point we thought it was because of all of the moisture build up, so after my husband replaced the housing again, he drills holes in the bottom of the headlight covers to help drain moisture. That has seemed to help in one of the lights. The brake lights on the left side continue to go out about a day after every replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10619349, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles“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“Brake lights stopped working. Checked brake light bulbs and found that plastic lamp bases were melted so the terminals no longer made contact in the sockets. Searching the internet, I found this to be a common problem with these vehicles. This is a serious safety issue and these vehicles should be recalled and corrective action taken. ..updated 10/30/13 the consumer stated the right brake light burns out every 4-6 weeks. Updated 10/31/2013”
NHTSA complaint #10509983, filed 2013-04, 50,000 miles“There has been a noticeable accumulation of water in the headlights of my 2003 Pontiac Montana. Only a matter of time before bulb shorts out. There has been some deterioration of illumination ability due to the water, particularly in the last year.”
NHTSA complaint #10295564, filed 2009-12, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 14 | 17% |
| 2002 | 12 | 10% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 4% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 3 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Montana
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsAir bags
12 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