VehicleVerdict

1998 Pontiac Montana problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Pontiac Montana sits mid-pack among Montana years: 62 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with 3 recalls and 8 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (15), electrical system (6), and brakes (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

62

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

8

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Montana years?

Montana NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montana years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Pontiac Montana problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1524%
Electrical System610%
Brakes58%
Body & Structure58%
Visibility & Wipers46%
Transmission46%
Lighting46%
Seat Belts35%
Airbags35%
Steering35%
Suspension23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Latches & Locks23%
Speed Control12%
Seats12%
Fuel System12%
Other12%

Does the 1998 Pontiac Montana have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

01V264000Latches & LocksAugust 21, 2001 · 248,737 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

01V067000Latches & LocksMarch 8, 2001 · 477,011 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

THIS VEHICLE HAS BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AT 50,000 MILES WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR ACCIDENT AND I THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A GM SEVICE CENTER APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 18 MOS FOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OR DEFECTS AND I FEEL LIKE IM DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 15, 2002

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT AND RAN INSIDE A BUSINESS TO CALL FOR HELP. WITHIN 2 MINUTES MY VEHICLE WAS ENGLUFED IN FLAMES. I CALLED 911. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. WE HAD JUST HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 21, 2000 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, ONLY MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND COULD ONLY BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2012

THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF WHILE STARTING TO TURN A CORNER. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, BUT THE CAR JUST ROLLED ON. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED KEY IT STARTED AND THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHEN CONTACTED, SAID, JUST RESTART THE CAR! DOES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 6, 2014

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON OUR MONTANA FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2500. I WAS DIRECTED TO THIS SITE AND SEE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON VARIOUS MODEL YEAR MONTANA/TRANSSPORTS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THESE? THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 29, 2003

1998 Pontiac Montana — common questions

Is the 1998 Pontiac Montana reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 62 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Montana year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Montana problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 1998 Pontiac Montana have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Pontiac Montana. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Pontiac Montana under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 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.