2002 Pontiac Montana - Lemon

[xscpx]

I purchased a used 2002 Pontiac Montana from a GMC dealer. The vehicle had low mileage and was told it was in "great mechanical condition".

I knew about an intake problem with the Montana's, so I purchased the extended 120,000km warranty (or so I thought).

At 113,000km, my wife explained to me, she believed the vehicle was not providing hot air, like it use to. I knew immediately, it must be the intake gasket.

I took it to the GMC dealer, where I purchased their fine piece of machinery (said with a lot of sarcasms).

I informed him of the problem, and they were to conduct a repair on the sliding door handle which was a recall.

When the van was inspected, they proceeded to inform me that the head gasket and intake gasket were leaking and would require repair. I was happy and stated "Thank God, I brought it in while still under warranty!".

The service technician then stated, "Ummm, you are only covered until 100,000km." I was confused, which quickly led to angry after he confirmed that the 100,000km extended warranty had been purchased, not the 120,000km.

Now I am royally screwed. They would not honour the agreement I had made with the sales person and financing people, when I purchased the vehicle.

I called the GMC 1-800 line, where they called the dealer (or so they say) and got me 15% off the repairs!!!!!

15% on $3000 to $5000 in repairs???? NOT!!!!!!

I will never again, I repeat, I will never again purchase a GMC product.

I am going back to a Japanese product.

With great customer service that GMC provides, it won't be long, before they are out of business.

[TiburonJT]

Why don't you have any documentation of a 120,000 km warranty? I feel bad for you if someone told you that you had a 120,000 km warranty, but you should have confirmed the warranty and requested some document stating you purchased a 120,000 km warranty.

BTW, I wonder why the hell might it cost up to $5,000 for this repair. Maybe some of the guys from dealerships can let us know what dealers normally charge for this repair, but that sounds way too high to me.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by xscpx

I will never again, I repeat, I will never again purchase a GMC product.

I am going back to a Japanese product.

With great customer service that GMC provides, it won't be long, before they are out of business.

Not to be bitter, but the vehicle you have is probably one of the -worst- GM products ever. Actually, all of their minivans are crap. Even the new ones.

In other words, abondoning ship to Japanese after driving something you knew had problems...is not rational.

The "customer service" issue you are having has nothing to do with General Motors. Your dealership is the one that lied to you. Do everyone a favor, get mouthy with them..and never buy another vehicle from that dealership.

[montrealvue]

GM has scrapped any plans to build minivans for that reason, they never could get them right. Demand for them was disturbingly low and reliability was less than favorable compared to the competition.

I used to have an Olds Silhouette , which is essentially the same as your van. I got rid of it when I saw similar repairs on the horizon. Even while under warranty, everything was a fight with the dealer. It seemed evident at the time that the service people had heard my story thousands of times before ("oh yeah, ANOTHER leaking engine? get in line....."). Its unfortunate you are turned off GM due to one extremely poor product. It is however not representative of ALL GM products. Thankfully, GM is out of the minivan game (for now).

[Canyonaro]

So you bought a 100,000km warranty thinking/being told it was a 120,000km warranty. And without looking at the documentation you signed are mad at GM for offering to help with the costs?

I would think you should be upset with the dealership not GM. They lied to you and you knew that this day could have come. Basing all of your anger from a minivan towards all of GM products seem a little short sighted.

Sorry about the troubles, but I would express concern with the dealership if I were you.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by xscpx

I purchased a used 2002 Pontiac Montana from a GMC dealer. The vehicle had low mileage and was told it was in "great mechanical condition".

I knew about an intake problem with the Montana's, so I purchased the extended 120,000km warranty (or so I thought).

At 113,000km, my wife explained to me, she believed the vehicle was not providing hot air, like it use to. I knew immediately, it must be the intake gasket.

I took it to the GMC dealer, where I purchased their fine piece of machinery (said with a lot of sarcasms).

I informed him of the problem, and they were to conduct a repair on the sliding door handle which was a recall.

When the van was inspected, they proceeded to inform me that the head gasket and intake gasket were leaking and would require repair. I was happy and stated "Thank God, I brought it in while still under warranty!".

The service technician then stated, "Ummm, you are only covered until 100,000km." I was confused, which quickly led to angry after he confirmed that the 100,000km extended warranty had been purchased, not the 120,000km.

Now I am royally screwed. They would not honour the agreement I had made with the sales person and financing people, when I purchased the vehicle.

I called the GMC 1-800 line, where they called the dealer (or so they say) and got me 15% off the repairs!!!!!

15% on $3000 to $5000 in repairs???? NOT!!!!!!

I will never again, I repeat, I will never again purchase a GMC product.

I am going back to a Japanese product.

With great customer service that GMC provides, it won't be long, before they are out of business.

Good, BYE

[GMCSonoma]

They did exhibit rear head gasket leaks...big cost from that dealer...I'd be mad too....but it's GM's fault you bought a 120k warranty that's only good to 100K??

Good Luck in visiting Japan!

[mini1]

Originally Posted by xscpx

I purchased a used 2002 Pontiac Montana from a GMC dealer. The vehicle had low mileage and was told it was in "great mechanical condition".

I knew about an intake problem with the Montana's, so I purchased the extended 120,000km warranty (or so I thought).

At 113,000km, my wife explained to me, she believed the vehicle was not providing hot air, like it use to. I knew immediately, it must be the intake gasket.

I took it to the GMC dealer, where I purchased their fine piece of machinery (said with a lot of sarcasms).

I informed him of the problem, and they were to conduct a repair on the sliding door handle which was a recall.

When the van was inspected, they proceeded to inform me that the head gasket and intake gasket were leaking and would require repair. I was happy and stated "Thank God, I brought it in while still under warranty!".

The service technician then stated, "Ummm, you are only covered until 100,000km." I was confused, which quickly led to angry after he confirmed that the 100,000km extended warranty had been purchased, not the 120,000km.

Now I am royally screwed. They would not honour the agreement I had made with the sales person and financing people, when I purchased the vehicle.

I called the GMC 1-800 line, where they called the dealer (or so they say) and got me 15% off the repairs!!!!!

15% on $3000 to $5000 in repairs???? NOT!!!!!!

I will never again, I repeat, I will never again purchase a GMC product.

I am going back to a Japanese product.

With great customer service that GMC provides, it won't be long, before they are out of business.

Well lets see,

You purchased a Pontiac Montana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT????? It is a POS. What would EVER lead someone to say "hey...that looks like a nice van".???

Have you ever driven a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna??

You get what you pay for. Americans cannot make Minivans! Period.

[HoosierRon]

I just went to the store and bought what I THOUGHT was a 20 ounce bottle of Coke. But when I got home, I drank 12 ounces and the container was empty. I went back to the store, and they told me I bought a 12 ounce can, not a 20 ounce bottle.

I am NEVER buying Coke again. I got screwed!

[casket_demon]

There was one time at band camp I.......

[GMCSonoma]

Lets keep on track here...

RE: Basic rules for the Complaint Forum

[likearock00]

Sorry to hear that man. Looks like you got screwed. Hope you enjoy that new vehicle!! Can't wait to see your second post- "Resale value was nothing for my van! I hate GM!!!!"


-BTW, I don't think we'll hear from this guy again. Pretty safe to say we are talking to ourselves here.....

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Sorry to hear that man. Looks like you got screwed. Hope you enjoy that new vehicle!! Can't wait to see your second post- "Resale value was nothing for my van! I hate GM!!!!"

And I only got a nickel for my used Coke can. I paid a dollar for it 10 minutes earlier. I got screwed. I am never buying Coke again.

[shadams]

I am going to die at an early age if I keep coming across these types of threads. I cant believe that someone would so royally screw up and then turn around and blame GM for this issue. The car is 5 yrs old and has 113km on it, its going to have problems. Fine its a van blah blah blah, but you didn't read before signing and more than likely what happend was that you bought a 5/75 (miles) and you didn't realize that it actually started from when the van was new and not when you bought it. For example, if I bought a used 05 Sierra in Sept 06 that was originally purchased in Sept 04 that had 22,000 miles on it, then bought a 5 year 75k warranty you would think that means my warranty is good until 97k or Sept 2011, but the way it works is it actually starts on the in-service date of Sept 04 and expires in Sept 09 or 75k total miles. I'm guessing that the dealer didn't explain that properly and you didn't ask, so while most of the blame lies with the dealer, some of it belongs to you as well. But none whatsoever with GM, esp after they offered assistance. Unbelievable. And lastly, going to a Japanese car doesn't guarantee you anything, especially if you continue in your ignorant ways.

EDIT: BTW, this vehicle does not even come close to the true definition of a lemon.

The warranty info I spoke of is assuming you bought a GMPP warranty, and the vehicle was still under factory warranty when it was purchased. Any aftermarket warrany starts on day of purchase.