Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Montana vs FORD F 150
How the Pontiac Montana and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Pontiac Montana vs FORD F 150: The Montana averages 138 complaints per year, with frequent head gasket failures and fuel leaks, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year, mainly about transmission hard shifts and electrical glitches. The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs 35) but also higher sales. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Montana or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Montana
The Pontiac Montana is a minivan that, in ownership terms, tends to be a budget-friendly family hauler, but the complaint data suggests it can become a project vehicle. Owners report a recurring engine issue—head gasket failures that require replacement almost annually—which is a serious and costly repair. Electrical gremlins also surface, with instrument panel lights flickering and brake/headlights burning out periodically. Structural and fuel system problems add to the picture, including a rear axle becoming dislodged and fuel leaks from a fractured fuel neck, making it a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a repair budget.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for capability, but the complaint data reveals a dominant issue with its 10-speed automatic transmission. Owners describe hard, jerky shifts, delayed engagement, and even sudden loss of power, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous in traffic. Electrical system complaints are also common, with camera and pre-collision warnings appearing on the dash. While the F-150 has a higher total number of complaints, it also has a much larger sales volume and a longer reporting period, so the per-year rate is still notable but should be weighed against its popularity.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Montana | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 690 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 44 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 138.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 90 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 4 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Pontiac Montana
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING156
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM78
- 03STRUCTURE71
- 04FUEL SYSTEM66
- 05POWER TRAIN55
The most frequent complaint is repeated head gasket failure, with one owner reporting replacement every year for three years. This is a major repair that can lead to overheating and engine damage if ignored.
Owners report intermittent issues like the speedometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge failing during a trip, and brake and headlights blowing out repeatedly. These can be safety concerns if gauges fail while driving.
A serious structural complaint involves the rear axle becoming dislodged while driving, which could cause loss of control. Other issues include a fractured bracket on the rear door pull strap that caused a cut.
Fuel leaks are reported, often from a fractured fuel neck, leading to a strong gas odor and potential fire hazard. One owner noted the vehicle was under recall but the dealer had not addressed it.
“REPEATED DRIVING WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR ANTENNA CAUSES SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE INDICATORS TO TURN ON FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE "BATTERY" AND "AIRBAG" INDICATORS TURN ON AND CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD FR…”
“I HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET ON MY 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA EVERY YEAR AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE GASKET REPLACED I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE I HAVE REPLACED IT 2 TIM…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major sore point, with owners reporting hard shifts, clunks, jerks, and even sudden loss of power. These issues can occur in traffic and pose a safety risk.
Many owners see warnings for 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' on startup, which can disable safety features. The root cause is often not clear, and dealers may not resolve it.
While not detailed in the sample, the high number of complaints in this category suggests headlight or taillight failures, which can reduce visibility and make the truck less noticeable to others.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Pontiac Montana — 35 recalls
The defect: 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 risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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 DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
The defect: 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…
The defect: 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 RES…
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: B…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Pontiac Montana or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Montana has far fewer complaints per year (138) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131), but its issues are more severe and potentially dangerous, like head gasket failures and axle detachment. The F-150's transmission problems are also serious but may be more intermittent. In practice, the Montana may be cheaper to buy but could cost more in repairs, while the F-150's issues are more about drivability and electronics.
Key differences
- The Montana's most common issue is repeated head gasket failure, a costly engine repair, while the F-150's is transmission shifting problems.
- The Montana has reports of a rear axle becoming dislodged, a critical safety defect, whereas the F-150's safety issues are more about electrical warnings disabling driver-assist features.
- Fuel leaks are a notable problem in the Montana, with a fire risk, while the F-150's fuel system is not a top complaint area.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but it's also a top-selling vehicle, so the rate per vehicle may be lower than it appears.
- Check for signs of head gasket failure, such as white smoke from exhaust, coolant loss, or overheating. Ask for service records showing if the head gasket has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear axle and suspension for any play or damage, and look for fuel odors or leaks under the vehicle, especially around the fuel filler neck.
- Test drive the F-150 and pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears. Listen for clunks or jerks, and note any hesitation or loss of power.
- Check the dashboard for warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' during a cold start, and have the electrical system checked if they appear.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine and transmission.
- For the Montana, specifically ask for a cooling system pressure test and a fuel system leak check.
- For the F-150, request a transmission fluid check and a diagnostic scan for any stored trouble codes.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for any issues.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Pontiac Montana or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Montana vs FORD F 150
- Pontiac Montana total complaints
- 690
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Pontiac Montana total recalls
- 35
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Pontiac Montana avg complaints/year
- 138.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Montana
- Pontiac Montana top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN