2005 Pontiac Montana Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 Montana years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Pontiac Montana has 81 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 4 Montana model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is structure & body (40 complaints, 49% of the total). Complaints report 7 crashes, 3 fires, 16 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 81
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 22 hwy
Top 2005 Pontiac Montana problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body40 (49%)
- Electrical System18 (22%)
- Engine11 (14%)
- Brakes10 (12%)
- Other8 (10%)
- Airbags7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (7%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
2005 Pontiac Montana recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V110000Mar 19, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires5,375 vehicles
Suspension:rear
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded.
Risk: A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun at 1-800-488-0359.
- NHTSA 06V417000Oct 31, 2006Airbags794 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
- NHTSA 05V287000Jun 20, 2005Brakes14,600 vehicles
Parking brake
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
Risk: When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
2005 Pontiac Montana fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Montana years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Pontiac Montana a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Pontiac Montana ranks worst among Montana model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 81 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Montana?
- The most reported problem areas are structure & body (40 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), and engine (11 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 38,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Pontiac Montana have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Pontiac Montana, most recently reported 2010, covering suspension, wheels & tires, airbags, brakes, and structure & body.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Pontiac Montana?
- EPA rates the 2005 Pontiac Montana at 17.5 MPG combined (15.5 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.