VehicleVerdict

1997 Pontiac Montana problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1997 Pontiac Montana — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Montana years?

Montana NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted329 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 62 complaints1999: 329 complaints2000: 310 complaints2001: 208 complaints2002: 161 complaints2003: 117 complaints2004: 46 complaints2005: 130 complaints2006: 61 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 2 complaints
Montana NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montana years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Pontiac Montana problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine832%
Lighting312%
Visibility & Wipers28%
Other28%
Seat Belts28%
Body & Structure28%
Suspension28%
Electrical System14%
Airbags14%
Tires & Wheels14%
Transmission14%

Does the 1997 Pontiac Montana have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V597000Latches & LocksDecember 22, 2004 · 717,302 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence

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 BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ANTIFREEZE LEAK; LEAD TO REPLACEMENT OF LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (VERY COSTLY) ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. DEALERSHIP WARNS OF EXCESSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO ANTIFREEZE IN THE MOTOR OIL. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 15, 2006

“THE HEADLIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FELL OUT AFTER THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 1, 2003

“DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE FREEWAY, VEARING TO THE RIGHT AND I REARENDED A CAR. THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK..THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND EVERYTHING WAS SAID TO BE WORKING FINE..THE VAN IS FULLY LOADED AND ALL THE ELCTRONICS ARE WORKING PERFECTLY, AS FAR AS I KNEW.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 13, 2005 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES, THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR HANDLE WHEN IS CLOSE MANUAL MAY CATCH YOUR FINGER AND HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 28, 2002

“A/C HEAT - AIR CONDITIONING / HEAT UNIT IN REAR OF VAN FAILED IN 2001. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED TO DATE. A/C AND HEAT IS OK FRONT. BODY - PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR. RATTLED ALMOST FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR. IT ALSO AT TIMES WOULD NOT CLOSED (IN PARK). IT WOULD CLOSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 15, 2003

1997 Pontiac Montana — common questions

Is the 1997 Pontiac Montana reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Montana problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), lighting (3 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).

Does the 1997 Pontiac Montana have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1997 Pontiac Montana. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Pontiac Montana under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Montana years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montana years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. The cleanest record among Montana years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.