Good stuff:
Pleasant 3.4L
Fuel consumption
Not so good stuff:
Brakes
Crash safety results
Tested model:
2002 Pontiac Montana SE Ext. wheelbase with 98 000 km
Problem areas:
V6 head gaskets
Intake manifold leaks
Frequent brake maintenance
Competitors of the day:
Dodge Caravan / Plymouth Voyager
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Ford Windstar
Mazda MPV
Nissan Quest / Mercury Villager
Recalls:
TC # 2001236
Certain 1997-2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana/ Trans Sport, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v-067) from April to August 2001. Also 2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in January through April 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
TC# 2004446
On certain vehicles equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and power sliding door on the passenger side, 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 result.
TC# 2000196
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies. Vehicles may have seat belt assemblies that will not withstand the force requirements of the standard. In a crash, if the belt buckle fails, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant.
TC# 2002151
Certain vehicles may have a driver's side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the airbag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capacity of the bag to protect the driver.
 |
Pleasant 3.4L
Fuel consumption
Not so good stuff:
Brakes
Crash safety results
Tested model:
2002 Pontiac Montana SE Ext. wheelbase with 98 000 km
Problem areas:
V6 head gaskets
Intake manifold leaks
 |
Frequent brake maintenance
Competitors of the day:
Dodge Caravan / Plymouth Voyager
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Ford Windstar
Mazda MPV
Nissan Quest / Mercury Villager
Recalls:
TC # 2001236
Certain 1997-2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana/ Trans Sport, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v-067) from April to August 2001. Also 2001 Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in January through April 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
TC# 2004446
On certain vehicles equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and power sliding door on the passenger side, 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 result.
TC# 2000196
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies. Vehicles may have seat belt assemblies that will not withstand the force requirements of the standard. In a crash, if the belt buckle fails, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant.
TC# 2002151
Certain vehicles may have a driver's side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the airbag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capacity of the bag to protect the driver.
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