Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Pontiac Montana, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 59 | 24% |
| Structure | 23 | 9% |
| Air bags | 16 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 6% |
| Visibility | 13 | 5% |
| Power train | 12 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 8 | 3% |
| Steering | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
SHIFTING OUT OF PARK WHILE ENGINE NOT RUNNING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING ON/STEPPED ON, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VAN ROLLING IN REVERSE, THANKFULLY IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN, WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK (TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE REAR AXLE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I DID NOT REALIZE EVERY OWNER OF A PONTIAC MONTANA ALL HAD SAME PROBLEMS. EVERY OWNER. HERE IS ONE OF THE WEBSITES. HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/COMMENT/3340529. THE DEALER SOLD ME A PONTIAC MONTANA. THE SECOND D
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THIS IS A ADDON FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE I SUBMITTED JUST NOW. I WANT TO POINT OUT. I WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE READ INCORRECTLY. WHEN THE ENGINE BECOME HOT, IT ALMOST STA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CAR WOULD START MISSING, LIKE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF THE AND I WOULD HAVE TO SIT THERE FOR 1 TO 2 HRS AND THEN IT WOULD START AND RUN FOR A WHILE AND SHUT OFF AGAIN, THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST, BUT WHEN IT RAINS THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK OR IF THEY DO, THE STOP AND START ON THEIR OWN. NOW THEY JUST WON'T WORK IF IT EVEN SPRINKLES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE CIRCUIT BOARD WIRING WOUL
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2000 Pontiac Montana. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SI
Risk: 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 OCCU
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DE
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
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.
Risk: 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
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
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 59 of them (24%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.