7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$870
Average Mileage:
84,550 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace gasket and seals (11 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. replace intake gasket (3 reports)
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problem #17

Feb 122011

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

intake manifold gasket split, caused car to overheat. the actual gasket replacement wasn't bad but getting to it is a whole 'nother story. estimates ran from 800 to 1500 dollars. the gasket kit is 79 dollars. total labor was about ten hours and i did it out of a chiltons manual. it's back together now and runs. looking for another van though.

- Chris P., St. Louis, MO, US

problem #16

Aug 022010

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Pontiac sucks! If this is a huge problem with so many, why didn't they recall and fix? Every auto mechanic I've spoken with recognizes this problem before they even look at the van!!!!

- lscott, Marion, OH, US

problem #15

Dec 072009

Montana 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

This appears to be a common complaint with this vehicle. I had it done once before two years ago. You would think GM would do something about this problem - especially since it is so bloody hard to get into the area to replace it. This time, they replaced the intake manifold gasket and the head gasket. Thank heavens for great mechanics - definitely not a dealership.

- Marcie G., Sebastopol, CA, US

problem #14

Dec 032008

Montana EXT 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Dex cool antifreeze has failed and completely corroded the cooling system on my van. Look to flush the dex cool antifreeze out of your vehicle as soon as possible. Must change all three gaskets, flush and fill cooling system and oil change.

- jnkhats, Fergus Falls, MN, US

problem #13

Nov 242008

Montana EXT 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,138 miles

Upon arriving at work on Monday morning a coworker pointed out the fact that my van had left a big puddle in the parking lot. Upon seeing the mess I immediately called my mechanic and he seemed to know right away what the problem was. He has seen this time and time again and can't understand why GM didn't rectify the problem years ago. With the winter quickly approaching, garages all over the city were booked up solid with repairs and such and I lost the use of the van for an entire week. Don't think that wasn't a nightmare. Gotta love public transit. The repair ended up costing me over $1500 and took a week to get done. And surprise, surprise ...no compensation from GM.

- Brian C., Stittsville, ON, Canada

problem #12

May 142008

Montana 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,453 miles

I have just purchased a used vehicle from a dealership 2 weeks ago a 2002 Pontiac Montana and I had an overheat light come on. I took the vehicle in to be checked and they advised that the Intake Manifold Gaskets have to be replaced and this is a problem with the manufacturer and I am not understanding why a recall was not done. I own a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix and I have not had to replace any major parts and I have owned it for almost 8 years and it has over 200,000 miles on it. I am very disappointed that GM would not correct a issue that has been showing up with so many of their customers. I will not purchase another GMC vehicle because they do not stand by their products and I will not support a company that does not value their customers welfare.

- Shawn S., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #11

Nov 022006

(reported on)

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I've read that this is a common problem for the GM minivans and this engine, yet there have been NO recalls to fix this defect.

- kevanos, Kempton, IN, US

problem #10

Jan 312008

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,500 miles

GM should really do something about this problem as it seems to be a common problem with Pontiac Montana. My van will be paid off in 7 months and then this happens! What a pain! $1000 to fix. Seems like GM could have prevented this from happening from what I have read. We won't be buying another GM vehicle after this!!!!

- Lana C., Aurora, CO, US

problem #9

Jan 102004

Montana V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

What is upsetting about my intake gasket blowing, is the fact that the dealership never really fixed the problem. My car kept creeping over the halfway mark to about 5/8ths of the way to the red mark. I could smell the my coolant, and when I went back to service "Nick" just said it was running like it was supposed to. Well" 19,000 miles later after I had my trans flushed, I noticed a leak of fluid from my car onto the garage floor. i returned to the service department to hear "Nick" say I blew a "Head Gasket"... And he refused to accept that they had never fixed my car in the first place. To date it still overheats; but I did add water to the DEX COOL. Something THEY {service} never told me.

- trex431, Whitmore Lake, MI, US

problem #8

Sep 252007

Montana V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Purchased 11/2006, Certified Used Vehicle 2202 Pontiac Montana and had no real problems with til my Tail lights and brake switch needed replacement wheh they started going haywire. I was then driving to the mechanic to have taillights fixed and replaced as well as oil changed, to no avail was also told about Intake Manifold Gasket Leaking and was apart of a 2003 recall but having problems finding out of information since I wasn't the first or primary owner of this vehicle.

I am struggling as it is to stay afloat from a separation and fighting custody while being homeless and having to depend on vehicle for many reasons and now unemployed and being stressed with this worry of how to take care of this problem before it gets worse and causes more damage.

I would appreciate any information on this matter and how to get in taking care of under that recall from 2003 til 2006 when I purchased vehicle but was unaware of or not told about of any recalls.

THanks from Sherri on West Palm Beach, Florida

- Sherri R., West Palm Beach, FL, US

problem #7

Apr 192007

(reported on)

Montana 3.4 L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,621 miles

I went to the dealership for a standard oil change because the check oil sensor can on. I mentioned to the guy that the engine smells like burning oil a bit. He said they would look into it and get back to me. He called me at work a few hours later to inform me that the intake gasket had to be changed and that it is a fairly common problem with GM vehicels, especially the montana. The good news, that you should all look into is that he informed me that GM has an extended warrenty on this specific problem, 5 years or 100, 000 KM. Being that my car was at 95, 550 I was pretty happy. So they changed it, no charge to me, however, of course they found other things to get back some of there money! :) HA HA!

- barbaraf, Notre-Dame de I'ile Perrot, Quebec, Canada

problem #6

Apr 242007

(reported on)

Montana 1SX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

So soon? At least it was covered under extended warranty.

- Hugh M., Bellevue, WA, US

problem #5

Mar 282007

(reported on)

Montana EXT 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Add me to the list of those wanting some action from GM about Intake Manifold Gasket leaking on our Pontiac Montana. Until I found out today it has this problem and searched on this website, I had no idea this was as big a problem as it now seems. I am very upset. We had a 1991 Pontiac Transport for 120k+ and sold to a friend and it is still running okay. We liked it so we bought the Montana in 2002. Now after 5 years and finally getting it paid off, this happens. Very disappointing... and I feel like I don't have any choice (sure... don't do the repair and major problems arise down the road). Not sure now that I'll ever trust a GM vehicle... although I've had a Saturn for 10 yrs/90k+ miles and doing okay.

- Phillip S., Rogers, AR, US

problem #4

Mar 102007

(reported on)

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

Took this to Goodyear to have oil changed, and they saw the manifold gasket was leaking. Said we will wait. This is only used as a backup vehicle, so hardly gets driven. So now I saw a little puddle on the garage floor. Looks like I will be taking it to Goodyear to have this expensive headache taken care of. There went my landscaping money for now. Looks like this is too common. I would sure like to hear of a recall or class action lawsuit on this ordeal. Too many people are having these problems. This pontiac cares thing I may have to look into. I would give anything to not have to pay anymore than I have to.

- Sean L., Auburn, KS, US

problem #3

Jan 202007

(reported on)

Montana V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

Have to get this fixed on our 2nd Montana. Phoned GM and they say this van has too many miles on it! They always have an excuse! It's a defective part it shouldn't matter how many miles are on it!!!!! GM SUCKS! Next I'll buy Toyota

- Tina G., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

problem #2

Jan 082007

(reported on)

Montana 3.4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

The mechanic said that this is a major problem with GM motors. GM should stand behind this problem. This also happened on my 1994 Pontiac Bonneville. I also filed a complaint with GM. They were not very caring, so I will have a hard time buying from them again.

- Tim N., Yankton, SD, US

problem #1

Nov 222006

(reported on)

Montana 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

Intake Manifold Gasket went, called GM, told that it is past warranty; at first representative told me that there was no coverage, but I called a dealership before I called GM (1-800-263-3777 Canada), and dealership told me that it was covered 100% up to 80,000km, and 50% up to 100,000km. The GM representative said what do you expect, it has 117,000km on it, so I said is this what I can expect from all GM vehicles, of course she said no. There is a class action suit against GM, so I joined; if anyone else is having same problem (and lives in Canada), here is the website:

http://www.gmclassaction.ca/

The more people the better, so don't hesitate. I'm sick of getting screwed over by GM; they should give a bucket of vaselline when they sell you a vehicle, since you'll be taking it in the ass a lot by them!

- Dave M., London, ON, Canada