1998 Pontiac Montana problems & reliability
49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Montana, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 13 | 27% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 10% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 8% |
| Power Train | 4 | 8% |
| Visibility | 4 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 6% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac montana. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall when making turns or when decelerating. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test where she was advised that they could not diagnosis the failure without it occurring in their presence…”
Engine · filed Apr 28, 2014
“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 this relate to gm…”
Service Brakes · filed Mar 9, 2014
“While driving at reduced speed through urban areas, the vehicle will increase rpms as if the accelerator is being depressed, even though the vehicle is being driven at a constant speed with no pressure being applied to the accelerator. It is unsettling, because you have to depress the brake pedal to insure that you do…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Oct 1, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- POWER-SLIDING DOOR
Preliminary Evaluation PE04064 · opened Sep 17, 2004 · closed Dec 22, 2004 · led to recall 04V597000
- REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA03005 · opened Apr 23, 2003 · closed Jan 12, 2004
- SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA02032 · opened Nov 18, 2002 · closed Nov 21, 2003
- SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP
Preliminary Evaluation PE02017 · opened Feb 11, 2002 · closed Aug 2, 2002
- AIR BAG INFLATOR
Engineering Analysis EA01014 · opened Jun 11, 2001 · closed Aug 26, 2002 · led to recall 02V027002
- AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
Preliminary Evaluation PE00045 · opened Nov 3, 2000 · closed Jan 11, 2001
- UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
Investigation SQ00014 · opened Jul 25, 2000 · closed Oct 22, 2001 · led to recall 01V067000
- TRACTION CONTROL
Recall Query RQ00006 · opened Feb 16, 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2001 · led to recall 98V072000
Technical service bulletins
28 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Montana. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8…
PIP4723F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 14, 2022
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient…
16NA260 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2016
Vehicle Recalls
Recalls · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 30, 2014
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Information on error codes on radio display their cause and corrective action. *eh
010844005A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2004
Daytime running lamps (drl) disable official government vehicles only. *tc
3136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Water leaks at overhead console map. *tt
01933 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Power door locks inoperative. *mr
01854 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Second row seat belt will not retract passengers side. Sit bulletin 1403282. *tt
01507 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Release of new outer tie rod ends for service. *tt
030232049 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2003
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1998 Pontiac Montana has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Pontiac Montana?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.