2005 Pontiac Montana recalls and problems

The 2005 Pontiac Montana has 5 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Pontiac dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
81
Crashes / fires
7 / 3
Injuries / deaths
16 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Pontiac Montana vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Pontiac Montana recalls

Recall 10V-110: Suspension

Reported Mar 19, 2010 · 5,375 vehicles affected · BRAUN CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun at 1-800-488-0359.

Recall 06V-417: Air Bags

Reported Oct 31, 2006 · 794 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 system to malfunction.

Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.

Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (Gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in GM's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact GM at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

Recall 05V-287: Parking Brake

Reported Jun 20, 2005 · 14,600 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 (N). Some of these vehicles failed this test.

Risk: When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

Recall 05V-061: Seats

Reported Feb 18, 2005 · 18,850 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 impact test.

Risk: If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.

Fix: Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Recall 04V-597: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 and a wrist or lower arm injury may result.

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. Note: before the vehicle is serviced, GM advises owners to not use the interior door handle to open the door. The driver can open and close the door from switches at the driver's position or by using the remote key fob. The driver should tell passengers to use the switch located in front of the door to open or close it. The driver should use the override switch to prevent operation of the power door by children or by others who are not familiar with its use. The owner notification letter mailing will be conducted in phases with the first phase beginning on may 31, 2005. The second phase mailing began on july 18, 2005. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Phase 2 began on july 18, 2005. Phase 3 (Final phase) began on august 24, 2005, to all remaining customers. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; pontiac at 1-800-620-7668; or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

2005 Pontiac Montana problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure23
Latches/Locks/Linkages20
Electrical System18
Air Bags7
Power Train7
Unknown or Other6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Seats4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Suspension4
Engine4
Visibility3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body › Door — 14
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 11
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 4
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 2
  • Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments — 2
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 38,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Pontiac Montana complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Apr 19, 2023
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!
Engine · at 124,125 miles · reported Apr 8, 2020
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.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 120,000 miles · reported Mar 8, 2016
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
Structure · reported Jan 19, 2016
[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).'
Structure · at 151,000 miles · reported Jan 19, 2016
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.

Other Pontiac Montana years

Compare all Pontiac Montana years · All Pontiac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Montana: 10V-110 (suspension), 06V-417 (air bags), 05V-287 (parking brake), 05V-061 (seats), 04V-597 (latches/locks/linkages). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Pontiac Montana?

Owners report structure problems most often (23 reports), followed by latches/locks/linkages (20). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 38,000 miles.

Are Pontiac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Pontiac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.