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2003 Pontiac MontanaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Montana, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

2003 Pontiac Montana
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Montana median · #5 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8421 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage24kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 20, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Pontiac Montana has problems

84 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system152
Exterior lighting141
Fuel system, gasoline131
Air bags128
Engine and engine cooling100
Structure61
Latches/locks/linkages51
Visibility40
Power train41
14 other systems277

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2003 Pontiac Montana recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Recall 07V-349 · Aug 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles

Risk. A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 04V-597 · Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles

Risk. IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Montana year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Montana median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Pontiac Montana safety ratings

2003 Pontiac Montana w/SAB. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Pontiac Montana, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER-SLIDING DOORPE04064 · closed Dec 22, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-597
In owners' words

What Montana owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10679563 · Jan 28, 2015 · 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…
Complaint 10619349 · Aug 6, 2014 · 80,000 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…
Complaint 10509983 · Apr 29, 2013 · 50,000 miles

Own a 2003 Montana?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.