2004 Pontiac Montana Problems
The 2004 Pontiac Montana has 39 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls, with electrical faults and door lock issues being the top concerns. Based on 39 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Electrical Faults the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2004 Pontiac Montana has 39 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2004 Pontiac Montana Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2004 Pontiac Montana trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2004 Pontiac Montana Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
PONTIAC MONTANA 2004 has 39 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls, with electrical faults and door lock issues each reported 5 times. Engine problems and airbag malfunctions also appear. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- Montana
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 39
- Crash-related complaints
- 8
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 24
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2004 Pontiac Montana problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Door Lock Issues
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Door Lock Issues, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2004 Pontiac Montana?
The 2004 Pontiac Montana is a risky choice due to multiple complaint areas and recalls. Only consider if you can verify all recall work and are prepared for potential electrical or door lock repairs.
Electrical faults and door lock issues are the most reported problems, which can affect reliability and safety. Recalls indicate known defects that may not have been addressed.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer who is handy with repairs and can thoroughly inspect the vehicle.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable family minivan with minimal maintenance should avoid this year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Pontiac Montana
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical system for faults.
- Check door lock operation on all doors.
- Verify engine performance and check for issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Check for electrical faults by testing all lights, windows, and accessories.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Pontiac Montana, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Pontiac Montana shows a low-confidence pattern of electrical faults and door lock issues, along with engine problems and airbag malfunctions. With 5 recalls and 8 crash-related complaints, buyers should verify all recall repairs and inspect key components before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Only the 2004 model year was analyzed, so no comparison to other years is available.
Recall context: With 5 recalls, it is critical to check if all recall repairs have been performed before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 5 complaints, the highest count.
- Door lock issues also total 5 complaints, tied for most frequent.
- There are 5 recalls and 8 crash-related complaints.
- Electrical faults: 5 complaints reported.
- Door lock issues: 5 complaints reported.
- Engine problems: 4 complaints reported.
Full breakdown
All 2004 Pontiac Montana complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Pontiac Montana. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Pontiac Montana. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
INTAKE GASKET GOES BAD. WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING
PUTTING GAS IN TANK AND IT JUST STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. THIS HAPPEN AT A GAS STATION AND I WORRIED ABOUT AN EXPLOSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A NOISE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STRONG ODOR WAS PREVA…
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 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS. *T…
DELAY WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, TAKE TOO LONG TO POP UP AND THAN WIPE, DESIGN SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED, THE COUPLE OF SECONDS IT TAKES FOR THE WIPERS TO MOVE FROM OFF POSITION TO WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON IS LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON A DAY AFTER IT RAINS WHERE YOU ARE P…
HIS NAME AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA C…
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 FROM THE INSTRUMENT PAN…
THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALL BECAME ERRATIC. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS THAT RUN THE GAUGES. YOU CAN REPLACE THEM FOR $30.00 ALL YOU NEED IS A SOLDERING IRON AND ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND YOU WILL HAVE A …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OTHER THAN THE ODOR OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEH…
I PURCHASED A USES 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA ON 1/23/05 AND ON 9/21/05 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY DOWNHILL STREET THE REAR AXEL BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CAR. PIECES FELL OFF THE CAR AND JUST MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MI. PER HR. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR…
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. ONCE IN A WHILE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, EITHER WITH ENGINE OFF OR RUNNING. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE ARE NORMAL. SITUATION 1: GET IN THE VAN, PUT KEY IN IGNITION,…
THIS IS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. NO SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH THE VAN UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. AT THAT POINT, VAN WAS DRIVEN ON AN EXTENDED TRIP OF ABOUT 200 MILES. DURING THE DRIVE, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALL BECAME ER…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 6, 2010, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 70 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH STOPPED T…
2004 PONTIAC MONTANA-- SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. SMELLED GAS IN OUR GARAGE DAILY. WERE TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT FUEL NECK HAD A FRACTURE AND THAT WAS CAUSING FUEL LEAK. RESEARCHED NHTSA SITE AND FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED. THE DEALER SAID OUR PARTICUL…
REAR TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO DISCERNABLE TREND OR EVENT WHICH CAUSES THEM TO FAIL. BULBS ARE COMPLETELY INTACT.*CN
I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN WITH A PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR. MY GRANDSON PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON WHILE I WAS IN THE DOORWAY AND THE DOOR SQUASHED ME PRETTY HARD, NO BRUISES OR INJURIES THOUGH. IT CONCERNED ME BECAUSE I HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN. I PLAYED WITH THE…
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC MONTANA, AND STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FRAYED WHERE THE BUCKLES WERE. CONTACT STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAS TRIED TO CUT THE SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33000 AND THE CURREN…
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT IF YOU DRIVE IN THE SNOW THE SNOW CAN GET INTO THE ABS WHEEL SENSOR AND DISABLE THE ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VE…
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR DOOR, THE BRACKET HOLDING THE PULL STRAP FRACTURED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CUT A FINGER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 1/19/2007 -*NM
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Pontiac Montana.
Safety recalls
2004 Pontiac Montana recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Pontiac Montana. With 5 recalls, it is critical to check if all recall repairs have been performed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
STEERING
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Pontiac Montana buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Pontiac Montana reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 39 owner complaints, 8 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Pontiac Montana is a risky choice due to multiple complaint areas and recalls. Only consider if you can verify all recall work and are prepared for potential electrical or door lock repairs. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Montana?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (5 complaints). #2: Door Lock Issues (5 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (4 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Pontiac Montana?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Pontiac Montana?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Pontiac Montana, NHTSA complaints include 8 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 39 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Pontiac Montana. A major recall area is STEERING. With 5 recalls, it is critical to check if all recall repairs have been performed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Pontiac Montana?▾
The 2004 Pontiac Montana is a risky choice due to multiple complaint areas and recalls. Only consider if you can verify all recall work and are prepared for potential electrical or door lock repairs. Electrical faults and door lock issues are the most reported problems, which can affect reliability and safety. Recalls indicate known defects that may not have been addressed. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Montana reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Pontiac Montana based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.