PONTIAC MONTANA · model year

2005 PONTIAC MONTANA

130 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005PONTIACMONTANA carries 130 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 3 fires, 26 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 MONTANA is structure:body:door with 14 filings, followed by electrical system (13) and latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 2005 MONTANA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

130
Complaints
11
Crashes
3
Fires
26
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

130 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
ENGINE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STRUCTURE3
SUSPENSION3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SEAT BELTS3
AIR BAGS3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT2

Recalls (7)

06V41700031/10/2006

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYST

04V59700022/12/2004

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

05V28700020/06/2005

PARKING BRAKE

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL

10V11000019/03/2010

SUSPENSION:REAR

THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

05V06100018/02/2005

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE

09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" 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

07E02100012/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

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.

Recent Complaints

20230419FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

20230419ENGINE

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

20230419POWER TRAIN

When I start the engine & try to put in another it it nearly impossible. With engine on, it smells of gasoline! I'm afraid I will die from the fumes. Transmission only goes up to 20 mph. I know there is a gas leak and I want others to be notified before my family or someone else's family catch fire and burn to death! If I have to run the heater then it takes power from the engine/transmission and I can only go 10mph. When I am in on on the highway the van will shut off. It shut off out of nowhere and I almost lost my life that day!

20200408FireENGINE

VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS FOR YEARS. ONE DAY I STARTED IT UP AND WAS SMOKING HEAVILY. NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. NO LOOSE OR BARE WIRES, NOTHING UNORDINARY GOING ON UNDER THE HOOD THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NO SIGNS OF OPERATOR ERROR SO FORTH. *TR

Mileage: 124,125

20200312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND IS FLUCATING AND THE DASH READING IS SAYING THINGS. ITS ALL MESSED UP

20160308ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 55-60 MILES AN HOUR MY VAN WILL SUDDENLY "GRAB" AND MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND SAY SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM> IT MAKES ME ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM 55-60 MILES AN HOUR- ITS SCARY! THIS HAS HAPPENED MOVING FAST, AND ALSO TURNING. MOST RECENT DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS TODAY 3/9/16

Mileage: 120,000

20160119STRUCTURE:BODY

[XXX] IS IN CUSTODY AN HIS CAR IS ABOUNDED ON THE 200 BLOCK OF HOBART AN VINE ST THE VAN DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOWS NO TAGS ON IT AN ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES ARE FLAT I NEED DRIVE HERE DOT COM TO COME REPO THIS CAR BECAUSE ERIC IS IN JAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE ANYMORE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR ALSO ERIC TOOK THE TRACKING DEVICE OFF THE 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

20160119WHEELS

[XXX] IS IN CUSTODY AN HIS CAR IS ABOUNDED ON THE 200 BLOCK OF HOBART AN VINE ST THE VAN DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOWS NO TAGS ON IT AN ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES ARE FLAT I NEED DRIVE HERE DOT COM TO COME REPO THIS CAR BECAUSE ERIC IS IN JAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE ANYMORE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR ALSO ERIC TOOK THE TRACKING DEVICE OFF THE 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

20160119UNKNOWN OR OTHER

[XXX] IS IN CUSTODY AN HIS CAR IS ABOUNDED ON THE 200 BLOCK OF HOBART AN VINE ST THE VAN DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOWS NO TAGS ON IT AN ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES ARE FLAT I NEED DRIVE HERE DOT COM TO COME REPO THIS CAR BECAUSE ERIC IS IN JAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE ANYMORE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR ALSO ERIC TOOK THE TRACKING DEVICE OFF THE 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

20160119STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Mileage: 151,000

20160119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Mileage: 151,000

20150523CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED FOR FOUR MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED, THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 201,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 201,000

20150523CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED FOR FOUR MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED, THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 201,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 201,000

20150428CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY THE CAR IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP, I PRESSED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY BUT THEY FAILED TO WORK (THEY GOT HARD WHEN I PUSHED THEM) I TRIED TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. AIR BAGS POPPED OUT INSTANTLY, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THAT OCCURRED. *TR

20150428CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY THE CAR IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP, I PRESSED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY BUT THEY FAILED TO WORK (THEY GOT HARD WHEN I PUSHED THEM) I TRIED TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. AIR BAGS POPPED OUT INSTANTLY, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THAT OCCURRED. *TR

20150203ENGINE

THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE THERMOSTAT ON THE DASH JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND POP THE HOOD YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND ON THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS COOL TO THE TOUCH. CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS AND THERE IS NO LEAK. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20140706AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEP TURNING ON AND STAYS ON AS YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES IT JUST TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND TURN ON BACK AGAIN. *JS

20140624ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DVD PLAYER TURNED ON BY ITS SELF AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF IT WAS EXTREMELLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

20140624STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DVD PLAYER TURNED ON BY ITS SELF AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF IT WAS EXTREMELLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

20140620ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE BY USING THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB REMOTE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS AND BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANIPULATED THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK SIX TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER DRIVER IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 108,000. UPDATED 8/15/14*CN UPDATED 08/26/2014 *JS

Mileage: 108,000

Compare 2005PONTIACMONTANA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA have?
The 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA has 130 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 3 fires, 26 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA?
Yes, the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA?
The most-complained component for the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA is STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH.
Is the 2005 PONTIAC MONTANA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.