2003 Pontiac Montana recalls and problems

5 recalls and 84 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Pontiac Montana.

5
recalls
84
owner complaints
8
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Pontiac Montana recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 07V349000 · reported August 8, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 20,594 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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).
The risk
A fracture may allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on december 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on december 13, 2007. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. The vehicle population includes buick rendezvous and pontiac aztek vehicle built in may 2003; chevrolet venture and pontiac montana vehicles built from june through august 2002; and all vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico, and hawaii.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 04V597000 · reported December 22, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 717,302 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual

NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · reported July 15, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,707,825 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
The risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix
Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 03V051000 · reported February 14, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 130 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
The risk
This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
The fix
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V222000 · reported August 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 133,221 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
The fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 20, 2022 · Air bags · crash reported

Van crashed with damage to the front when it ran off the road and went into a culvert/ditch and air bags did not deploy resulting in paralyzation of the wife of the owner after van had been apparently donated to Charity Cars as junk vehicle or salvage vehicle. Vehicle was apparently repaired by towing company and…

Nov 11, 2018 · Air bags · 2,360,000 miles · crash reported

I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND HIT A TRUCK BROADSIDE. I ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. NOT ONLY WAS MY SEATBELT INEFFECTIVE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. I DID SUSTAIN CHEST INJURY. IRAN A STOP SIGN IN TOWN.

Apr 11, 2018 · Steering

WHILE IN A STATIONARY MODE AFTER PARKING TO GET AIR FOR MY TIRES, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES WITH ASSISTANCE TO UNLOCK, THIS I FEEL IS UNSAFE WITH THE CLIMATE OF THE WORLD TODAY, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET IN YOUR VEHICLE TURN IT ON AND BE ON YOUR WAY. NO IMAGE OR DOCUMENT TO UPLOAD JUST…

Aug 1, 2017 · Steering · 216,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN WET CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE DEALER (STOOPS BUICK GMC, 1251 QUAKER BLVD, PLAINFIELD, IN, 46168, [phone removed]) INFORMED THE…

Jul 29, 2016 · Air bags

CHECK THE AIRBAGS SOMETHING WITH BRAKE LIGHT AN ELECTRICAL.

Montana model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 5228144
2001 9156103
2002 312631
2003 58481
2004 33981
2005 58173
2006 23720

Across all years, the 2000 Montana has the most complaints (228). All Pontiac Montana years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Pontiac Montana, the most recent reported on August 8, 2007 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Montana?
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (15 complaints), followed by exterior lighting (14).
How many 2003 Pontiac Montana complaints mention a crash or fire?
8 of 84 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 20 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 20, 2022.