2001 Pontiac Montana: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Pontiac Montana: 9 recalls, 156 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V228003 · 2000 · 156,305 vehicles
What's wrong: The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant May not be properly restrained.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V026000 · 2001 · 38 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air…
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on January 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on April 17, 2001.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #01V067000 · 2001 · 477,011 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
The fix: Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01v-264.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #01V264000 · 2001 · 248,737 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on October 22, 2001.
Seats Vehicle recall #01V383000 · 2001 · 75,816 vehicles
What's wrong: 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.
Why it matters: If the connector for a latch-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began April 10, 2002.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V329000 · 2002 · 272 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and MINI vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Why it matters: This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V250000 · 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began August 18, 2003. Owners should contact…
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #04V597000 · 2004 · 717,302 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #07V349000 · 2007 · 20,594 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures May lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
Why it matters: A fracture May allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on December 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on December 13, 2007.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system (other) Equipment recall #07E021000 · 2007 · 742 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
Why it matters: Fuel May leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles
What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 26 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (36): the most common themes are leaks (21), stalls / loses power (5), overheating (4).
- Electrical (20): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), door / lock issues (8), stalls / loses power (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), hard / delayed shifting (5), leaks (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (14): the most common themes are warning light on (3), leaks (2).
The 2001 Pontiac Montana has 156 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 12 Montana model years for complaints (1.8× the average Montana year). Complaints peaked in 2005 (29 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 62,229 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (228 complaints, 5 recalls), 2002 (126 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Pontiac Montana.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Montana, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Pontiac Montana problems?
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (36), electrical (20), transmission & drivetrain (20).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Montana get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Pontiac Montana repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.