Research · Minivan - 2WD

2000 Pontiac MontanaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 244 owner complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Montana. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (74) and structure (33). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Feb 2009
Owner complaints
244
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Dec 22, 2004NHTSA 04V597000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

244 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2000 – Dec 2015
  1. Engine and engine cooling74
  2. Structure33
  3. Air bags23
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Visibility19
  6. Power train16
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  8. Latches/locks/linkages13
  9. Exterior lighting12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Montana model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000244
2001167
2002135
200397
200439
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
26
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

74 reports3 fires
“2000 PONTIAC MONTANA INTAKE GASKET FAILED...I'VE READ ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND JUST WANTED TO ADD MINE. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS RELATIVE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL EITHER. I HAVE NEVER USED ANYTHING BUT DEXCOOL IN THIS VAN, NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS....NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY PONTIAC IS BEING DROPPED BY GM THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PAY ALL THE REPAIR BILLS IF THE OWNED UP TO THEIR MISTAKE...GOODBYE PONTIAC!!!!!!!! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10277611

Structure

33 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE DOOR HANDLES ON HER VEHICLE. SHE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V597000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS) WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURES THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT UNDER THIS RECALL BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT INVOLVED WITH THE PREVIOUS RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 116000. UPDATED 02-18-09 THE SLIDING DOOR DIDNOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2008Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10250754

Air bags

23 reports12 crashes1 fire
“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 THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2015Air bagsODI 10811872
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Montana FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Montana FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Pontiac Montana as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4093
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Montana questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Pontiac Montana have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Pontiac Montana problems?

Owners filed 244 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (74), structure (33), air bags (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Pontiac Montana get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Pontiac Montana at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026