It seems that the this particular make and model has known problems with the cooling system. On a family trip to Virginia the car started to overheat and I stopped the vehicle. When parked red fluid was visible under the car and upon testing was found out to be coolant leak. Car was towed to pa and mechanic reported loss and replacement of radiator/hoses and lower intake manifold (gasket) a labor intensive work costing about 1700 to fix all the issue with this over heating.

- Hershey, PA, USA

Vehicle spontaneously caught fire while stuck in snow drift. Fire was all consuming - fire truck had to come out it out - just shell of van was left. We were able to get out as fire was slow to take off. Fire started in engine compartment. Fire chief said we would never know cause as no engine compartment remains.

- Holland, MI, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Montana. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to overheat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the head gasket. The dealer stated that coolant leaked into the engine. The contact was responsible for the repairs, which totaled $1,800. One week after a routine maintenance repair, the mechanic stated that the vehicle was operating normally; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic also stated that this type of failure should not have recurred. The contact mailed a complaint to the company and has owned the vehicle for two years. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000 and current mileage was 131,000.

- Richmond , VA, USA

Driving the van I noticed the vehicle started to over heat. I turned it off and waited 1 hour for it to cool down. Started it up again after filling the radiator, with the engine running I made sure the coolant was at the correct level. Within 5 min the car overheated again and this time it died before I could turn it off. I have been told it would be best to replace the engine at $4100 for that. I searched the internet and found out there are many other van owners with the same problem. They used a rubber seal without steel so that it coolant leaks into the engine and mixes with the oil, and dries out the camshaft and then it breaks. In Canada there is already a class action lawsuit for this reason. They (manufacture) know there is a problem but wont say that it is there fault. I am also looking to find someone to take the case as I currently have a lswn ornament due to I don't have the 4100 to replace the engine.

- Manteca, CA, USA

My van showed no sign of having anything wrong with it. Then on the way home from work it died at a light. It made awful noises and would not start. I towed it first to one repair shop and it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. Then I towed it to the dealer for a second opinion and was told the same thing. I was told at the repair shop that an engine with only 79,000 miles should not go out like this and it was due to the failure of GM parts. It still has not been repaired a year later.

- Davis, CA, USA

Coolant leak and gasket failure on a 1999 Pontiac Montana 3.4 L engine. I have had to replace the water intake gaskets twice on this M.V. they fail approx. Every 80,000 miles.

- Ferndale, MI, USA

Failure of engine in 1999 Pontiac Montana at 101,000 miles due to leaky head gasket causing engine to overheat. This was after repairs for gasoline leak in engine due to failure of intake manifold gasket. All maintenance was done as per manufacturer's recommendations at dealership of purchase.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

First of all the drivers door panel inside comes off and gets stuck making it very hard to open the door. August 2005 I had to replace the head gaskets due to leaking antifreeze into the engine. March 2006 I have to do the same thing again. The technician said these vans are known for this. I guess that's what I get for buying America>>>??

- Sacramento, CA, USA

The intake manifold cracked causing the engine not to function.

- Falmouth, MA, USA

We have only had our van a year. We have had problems since we got it. One thing after another. First coolant leaking, electrial problems, intake gasket leaking. Replaced 11/05. Motor failed 1/05. Door mailfunction.

- Ferguson, MO, USA

My 1999 Montana started leaking antifreeze rapidly. Two different service centers stated it was a worn gasket in the lower intake. Repairs came to $604. Know this has been a problem for many vehicles with the 3.4 engine. I noticed the leak at 72,000 miles but have had to add coolant many times over the last 2.5 years.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

Engine. Poor gasket/coolant design allowed coolant to leak into engine causing cam bearings to sieze causing my cam shaft to break. Vehicle is still 1,500km away at a dealership who is currently replacing with new engine. My cost= engine+labour+extra week holiday for being stranded+plane ticket to return home {and to fly back to pick it up once everything is repaired} I checked the internet on a hunch and was absolutly amazed at the extreamly high amound of people having the same problem. The smacks of a bad design/ insufficient testing/ and cover-up on GM's part even with their bullitens for this available on the internet.

- Holland Landing, UN, USA

Heat & engine low coolant light on;heater blower inop at some speeds(replace intake gasket and blower fan resistor paint paint bubbled on hood transmission harsh shifting (faulty pressure control solenoid) wheel noise in bearing (replace wheel hub assembly) brakes a.B.S light always comes on(loose wires;disconnected wire faulty sensor)ongoing problem not fixed(rear wiper motor;passenger mirror keeps shifting;no heat control in position half window half floor

- Ailsa Craig, UN, USA

Coolant light coming on and noticed coolant always missing from coolant recovery tank. Took vehicle to local GM dealer and after testing found that the intake manifold and head gaskets were leaking. After very little research on the internet I found alot of people are having the same problem. I contacted GM for assistance and was essentially told I was on my own they would pay nothing. GM acted as if I was the only one having the intake/head gasket problem. I have an uncle and a friend of mine that live in the same town I do that own a Pontiac Montana and both have had the same gasket problem. They both contacted GM and were told the same thing I was told. I feel like GM should acknowledge the problem with there 3.4 V6 engines, stand behind there product and pay for these repairs. I have always been an avid GM supporter but this really is begining to change my way of thinking.

- Brunson, SC, USA

There is a defective intake gasket on 3.4L engines that are installed in many of the GM models. I have been told by numerous repair shops and a service manager at a Chevrolet dealership that he replaces about 1 or 2 a day and can't believe that GM hasn't been forced into a recall. There has been 2 to 3 updates since 1999 in an attempt to correct problem. The new part # that was installed in my engine is 89017279. Is there any recourse against GM in this matter?? I have been getting the royal runaround between GM customer service and the dealership I bought the van from in April 2003.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

As appears to be common with the engine in this vehicle, the intake gasket failed causing dexcool to leak into the engine and thus contaminating not only engine oil, but causing failure of critical internal components due to the fact that dexcool deteriorates/weakens certain metals, etc. In our case, the vehicle's engine completely failed while driving 60 mph on a 6 lane expressway with no prior indication of problems. GM is aware of the problem but refuses to take any responsibility for its inferior design! a recall should be begun immediately. Without quick, calm reaction my preganant wife and two children could have been rear-ended and severly injured or killed. How would GM deal with the publicity of that lawsuit!

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Engine-low coolant light evaluated and found to have faulty intake gasket-repaired, would like GM to cover under recall, service manager stated "it happens alot more often than GM wants to admit in the 3.4 and 3.8L engines in searching recalls, noted several petitions with same complaint. Steering--hard left turns at low speeds, evaluated and service dept (GM) stated no current recalls for the '99 Montana, the recall ended with the '98 Transport. The same problem seems to have continued, would like GM to extend the recall to cover the '99 Montana's November 1, 2003 update:low coolant light came on and I had it inspected at harry's Pontiac, 819 patton ave. Asheville, nc 28806 on Jan 07,2003. They recommended replacing the lower intake gaskets and did so on the 8th. The cost was $442, gasket ki $49.46, coolant $30, cleaner $4.67, sealant-R $11.79, seal $3.68, oil filter $5.31, oil $9, and gasket $47.40. There was also tax and a 10% charge for shop supplies/waste disposal for $15. Milage was 54,530. We purchased the van in Sept 1999. We traded the van in June, feeling the Montana didn't have a good track record after all of the repairs we'd made. (transmission problems while still under warranty, air bag light came on intermittently, identified as an open circuit in the passenger seat belt pretensioner difficulty making left hand turns at low speeds.)

- Fairview, NC, USA

My wife and I own a 1999 Pontiac Montana. In September of 2002 (~53000 miles)we noticed that the low coolant light came on. So we added coolant. Then again in November the light came on again so we contacted our personal mechanic since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. He told us that the plastic upper intake manifold and the gasket was bad. He told us that this was a common problem with this type of engine. He said that GM dealers in the area told him that it was due to the manifold being made of plastic and the fact that GM uses dexcool coolant, which eats up the plastic and the gaskets. He also told us that because of this some of the coolant spilled into the engine oil. The cost of the repairs were $392.57. We now will have a good chance of spending $2000 - $2500 on a new engine because of the coolant in the engine oil. We did call the dealer who sold us the van and they told us to call Pontiac. We did call the Pontiac customer service center in Michigan and filed a complaint. They told us that they have never heard of such a problem. We feel that GM should stand behind these problems. Please respond. Thanks

- Kimball, SD, USA

I had a local GM dealer repair the intake manifold gasket on our 1999 Pontiac Montana in Dec. 2002. We had to have the water pump replaced also and have the cooling system flushed at the same time. The cost of those repairs was in the range of $1,000 and was done in a very satisfactory manner by the dealer. The service manager knew exactly what was wrong as soon as I described the symptoms. He seemed to have seen a lot of the same problems from other owners. Our car began to lose coolant and then the oil began to look orange and finally the coolant was dripping on the ground. These problems began about 70,000 miles. We are the second owners of this van and bought it from the repairing dealership as a program, used vehicle with 20,000 miles on the odometer. I have saved all our receipts for the aforementioned repairs in hope that GM might have a recall for these problems. In my opinion, the fault lies with texaco and others who made and manufactured the dexcool coolant used by GM. Judging from the information on the internet, it seems other manufacturers have run into problems with this coolant (catapillar, cummings diesel.)

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

Leaking lower intake manifold gasket. Hard to say how much to date has been internal, but has never dripped on garage floor until this week. I list milage failure at 38,000 miles because that is when I first noticed coolant level dropping with no visable leaks. Current mileage is aprox 60800 miles. I have had to add coolant since June of 2001. 3.4L

- Neenah, WI, USA