What year Pontiac Montana should I avoid?

The 2005 Montana is the year to avoid, with the highest complaint index (100) and 81 complaints, led by Structure & Body problems at a median mileage of 29,000.

Which Pontiac Montana year is best?

No Montana year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year is capped by recall campaigns. 2006 has the lowest complaint index (67) among non-Avoid years and is the lowest-risk choice.

Is the 2006 Pontiac Montana reliable?

The 2006 model year is rated Caution, with 37 complaints and a lower complaint index of 67 compared to 2005's 100. Its top problem area is the Electrical System, with a median failure mileage of 81,102.

Does the Pontiac Montana have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists six recall campaigns across the 2005-2008 Montana years, including issues with suspension/wheels/tires, airbags, and brakes.

What are the most common Pontiac Montana problems?

Across all years, Structure & Body complaints are most common at 39 percent of all complaints, followed by Electrical System at 23 percent and both Brakes and Engine at 15 percent each.

Pontiac Montana Best and Worst Years (2005–2008)

The 2005 Pontiac Montana ranks worst with a complaint index of 100 and 81 complaints, mostly structure & body issues. No Montana year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2006 is the lowest-risk choice among non-Avoid years.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005Lowest-risk years:Caution 2006

Model years: 4; 2005–2008
NHTSA complaints: 119
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 9
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Structure & Body

Montana Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Pontiac Montana problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	81	7	3	5	Structure & Body	17.5	—
2006	Caution	67	37	2	0	2	Electrical System	19	—
2007	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	—	—
2008	No verdict	33	1	0	0	1	Airbags	—	—

Montana years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Pontiac Montana Index 100 · 81 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2005 Montana leads all years with 81 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Structure & Body problems dominate, making up 49 percent of that year's complaints at a median mileage of 29,000. Electrical System issues followed, with owners describing an engine-compartment fire at 29,000 miles and reports of sudden loss of control near a median of 38,000 miles. Brake complaints included ABS failures leading to skids, with one owner reporting repeated dealer visits after a crash. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, covering suspension/wheels/tires, airbags, and brakes, and the year recorded seven crashes, three fires, sixteen injuries, and one death.

2005 structure & body problems →2005 electrical system problems →

Most common Pontiac Montana problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Structure & Body46 (39%)
Electrical System27 (23%)
Brakes18 (15%)
Engine18 (15%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (13%)
Transmission & Powertrain10 (8%)
Airbags9 (8%)
Other9 (8%)
Fuel System8 (7%)
Seat Belts4 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Pontiac Montana should I avoid?: The 2005 Montana is the year to avoid, with the highest complaint index (100) and 81 complaints, led by Structure & Body problems at a median mileage of 29,000.
Which Pontiac Montana year is best?: No Montana year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year is capped by recall campaigns. 2006 has the lowest complaint index (67) among non-Avoid years and is the lowest-risk choice.
Is the 2006 Pontiac Montana reliable?: The 2006 model year is rated Caution, with 37 complaints and a lower complaint index of 67 compared to 2005's 100. Its top problem area is the Electrical System, with a median failure mileage of 81,102.
Does the Pontiac Montana have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists six recall campaigns across the 2005-2008 Montana years, including issues with suspension/wheels/tires, airbags, and brakes.
What are the most common Pontiac Montana problems?: Across all years, Structure & Body complaints are most common at 39 percent of all complaints, followed by Electrical System at 23 percent and both Brakes and Engine at 15 percent each.