2000 Pontiac Montana; 3.4ltr 6cyl: "service engine" soon light prompted service visit. Tech told us that codes indicated that intake manifold gaskets had failed and that engine oil and coolant were leaking. Such leakage caused oil contamination of the coolant as well as coolant contamination of the oil. Technician further commented that this was an extremely common problem with the GM 3.4 ltr 6cyl engine and had been known to GM for several years, but had never been fixed. Repair costs approx $800 and must be done since the related codes will cause failure of annual emissions testing and vehicle license tags will not be issued. Internet research on this defect confirmed that problem is widespread and well known. GM should be forced to recall all affected vehicles.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Van had the same problem with the intake manifold gasket that is apparently extremely common with this vehicle. It cost me about $800 to have the repair done at a local mechanic. It would have cost more than $1200 to have it done at the dealer. Shame on GM for not issuing a full recall for this obvious defect!

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

Fuel gauge reads full when empty and empty when under 3/4 of a tank. Message center alarms telling me that I am out of fuel but when I stop at the gas station it will only hold no more than five dallors. Also I have had to have the break lights replaced sevrel times. The rear motorized window on the driver side does not always shut when pressing the button. And engine is quick to overheat. Also the passanger sliding door does not always latch properly, lock and unlock when buttons pressed. The sad thing about it is I have only had the van for just under a year. The van is only five years old and I am already having this kind of problems out of it. Needless to say I will never own another Pontiac (GM).

- Dry Ridge, KY, USA

The door comes unlatched from the Pontiac Montana mini vans w/O power slider also. Subsequently my van door passanger side came open slamming off half on the road and then remained attached to the top but the track wheel snapped off, making it inpossible to put on with out tools and the muscles to even lift it.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

I won a 2000 Pontiac Montana and I noticed over the past year that I was loosing a little anti-freeze over time. The rate increased over the past month until the "engine overheated light" came on. When taken to the repair shop, they told me that the intake manifold gasket was leaking and I was loosing anti-freeze through the gasket. They also said this was a common problem for GM 3.1 and 3.4 liter engines.

- Shelby Twp., MI, USA

My 2000 Pontiac Montana with a 3.4 litre engine was leaking fluid on the garage floor. I took it to a local mechanic and the technician said that the intake gasket was the cause of the problem. He replace the intake gasket and bolts. The total cost was $674.94. The technician also mentioned that this is a common problem with GM V-6 engines.

- Canton, OH, USA

Head gasket failure, which alot of other people with 2000 Pontiac Montanas have complained about also...GM is doing nothing about this and they know about the problem.

- New Hope, MN, USA

I purchased the vehicle at 72,000kms (45,000) miles and shortly afterward noticed that coolant needed to be topped up occasionally over the subsequent six month period. There was no evidence of coolant leaking into the crankcase, but there was a pool of coolant collecting externally under the intake manifold. After some on-line investigating, I contacted my local dealer, inquiring as to whether this was a common problem. I was told that it was likely the intake gaskets and sometimes the gaskets "get old and dry up" but that it was not overly common. They quoted me apx $800 to repair. ($350 for the intake gaskets and "numerous" other gaskets that would require replacement plus labour). I politely commented that I was baffled how a 3 year old plastic gasket could be classified as "old and dried up". I subsequently had an independent mechanic replace the gaskets using the newly issued version of the gaskets for a total of apx $450. (he had coincidentally run into the same problem a couple of weeks prior on another GM V-6 product, but apparently the coolant leakage was internal and too late to salvage the engine). Mileage at the time of repair on my vehicle was apx 86,000 kms (54,000 miles). He confirmed that upon removal the only evidence was external leakage. I have another 10,000kms on the vehicle since repair and no leakage is apparent at this point.

- New Maryland, UN, USA

My parents bought a 2000 Montana van in November of 2002. It seems to be leaking antifreeze. The local GM dealer where they purchased it, says it is the intake manifiold gaskets. For $2,500 they could repair the problem. I took the matter up with the owner of the dealership, and showed him a copy of a GM service bulletin which talks about the problem with the gasket material and asked him what they would do about it. He said he would look into it but could not promise anything. An update is that he said that GM would possibly cover 99.9% of the bill. The reason he gave was that the origional owner of the van purchased it at the same dealership and had it regularily serviced there and they have all the service records. The van had 97,000 km when my parents purchased it, since then they have only added 1000km, my parents also figured it was leaking from the day it was purchased. I am not sure if the dealer did an inspection, you would think they would and a leak would have been found.the van is being repaired at the moment, so we will see what comes of this.

- Brooks, Alberta, UN, USA

My Montana has had problems since I bought it used at a certified GM used car lot at lindsey cheverolet. It has been buring through at least 2 quarts of oil or more with-in less then 700 miles. I took it in to the dealership and they checked for leaks but could not find any. There is no smoke from the engine or tail pipe. There is no leaks on the engine anywhere or at the oil pan. They would not do anything about it. I have browsed the web and have found other owners that are having the same problem with their 2000 Pontiac Montana. I do not have the kind of money to spend on oil like it is going out of style. Is there any recalls on this problem or can anyone else help me.

- Quantico, VA, USA

Loosing coolant, coolant in oil. Problem was diagnosed as intake manifold gasket leak. Problem still exists after repair on 04-01-03, 24,535 miles. Current mileage 26,000. Extended warranty covered $301.21 of the repair. Rowan Pontiac/GMC did not want to honor extended warranty for the rental car, zero deductible, or the repair itself.

- Taylor, MI, USA

Transmission went out at around 44000 miles. Dealer said the "lip seal" failed inside transmission, after taking it in several times for diagnosis. Would not assist with repair cost. Ended up having it repaired at aamco. A/C is currently out on the low setting (#1). Not yet repaired. Just repaired the cooling system. Dealer said it was an internal leak. Van kept getting low on coolant, had to keep filling it up, however never saw a leak. Dealer said problem with the manifold, and coolant was leaking thru and being evaportated, therefore no telltale leak. Cost $600 to repair (at 53,000) miles. I hate this van. This is the worst one I've had. Unfortunately, I did not buy an extended warranty.

- Riverside, CA, USA

Engine - vehicle was leaking coolant through intake manifold gasket into engine. Intake manifold needed to be resealed. Pontiac assistance is refusing to help at this time. This is a common problem with the V6 and GM is refusing to acknowledge it. Emission - secondary air injection pump failed at 33025 miles and was covered under warranty. This pump failed again at 44000 miles, just 8 months later and cost $160 for labor. Emission pumps should last longer than 8 months. Power window - drivers side power window motor failed 9/2002 at 38500 miles. Faulty wiring cluster needed to be replaced at 12528 (N/C).

- Whitman, MA, USA

Gas gauge fluctuated and antifreeze leaking. Diagnosed as leaking intake manifold gasket and wiring harness for fuel assembly was corroded due to exposure to moisture - repair bill $1400.

- New Albany, OH, USA

Consumer complained about vehicle cutting off. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic stated water was getting into the oil.

- Richland, WA, USA

Lower manifold and water pump are both leaking on vehicle. The water pump and the manifold gaskets needed to be replaced. The first major failure occurred the day after the consumer took delivery of the vehicle. The vehicle wouldn't come out of first gear. This was the result of the vehicle being shipped without transmission fluid. The transmission had to be replaced.

- Long Valley, NJ, USA

Problems with paint, gaskets, brakes and cooling system. There was a hissing noise which had come from the tire area due to misalignment, low coolant light had come on, the gaskets, oil pump and drive O-ring were replaced, the brake pedal had gone to the floor while stopped at a light which happened more than twice and seemed as if they weren't going to work at all and had to pump the pedal to bring the pedal back enough to allow stopping. There was an incident where the consumer had to activate the emergency brake to avoid an accident. The warning light never had come on. The master cylinder was replaced, the front brake pads, resurfaced rotors, cleaned and adjusted rear brakes. Other problems are as followed: The trim on the driver side windshield had come apart, the handle on the back latch had come off, and both turn signal bulbs needed to be replaced.

- Canton, MI, USA

Engine spuddering and died. Will not start. Garage found coolant in oil. Had internal engine damage. Engine being replaced. Suspect premature failure of intake manifold gasket or dex-cool coolant causing problem. Need to investigate.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

2000 Pontiac Montana with faulty intake manifold gasket at 42K

- Bristol, CT, USA

Consumer states that while driving and without warning the intake manifold cracks causing fluid to leak. Dealer notified.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA