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#BS-2002-PONMON-17212002 Pontiac Montana
Based on reports from 161 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 161 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, and 5 recalls.
Top reported problems
intake manifold gasket failure
17 complaints • Severity 7.4/10
overheats
7 complaints • Severity 8.9/10
air conditioning doesnt work
4 complaints • Severity 6/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
16 owners reported fuel system issues — failures commonly reported around 60K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (37 reports) • Median: 60K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Fuel System (16 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2002 Pontiac Montana: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2002 Pontiac Montana, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 60,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 60K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Pontiac Montana, with 11 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch Issues
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2002 Pontiac Montana, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights Issues
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2002 Pontiac Montana, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to exterior lighting:brake lights-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2002 Pontiac Montana. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
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.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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).
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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Pontiac Montana is the 2001 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2002 Pontiac Montana vs. Class Average (Minivan - 2WD)
This vehicle
161
Class avg
399
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical minivan - 2wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 161 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Pontiac Montana Model Years
View all Pontiac Montana years →2002 Pontiac Montana: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Pontiac Montana?
Is the 2002 Pontiac Montana reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2002 Pontiac Montana problems?
Does the 2002 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?
What mileage do Pontiac Montana problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 2002 Pontiac Montana Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 161 owner reports. Know before you buy.