NHTSA Complaint #10118490 — 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA

SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2002 MONTANA MINI VAN AS A NEW VEHICLE ON 11-02-2001, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS A STARTLING, LOUD CRACKING NOISE WHICH OCCURRED RANDOMLY OVER THE FIRST TWO YEARS. SINCE THEN, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM; WATER STREAMS OUT OF CEILING-MOUNTED BOXES SUCH AS MY TEMPERATURE/COMPASS BOX AND THE ONSTAR ANTENNA. THE DEALER, PERFORMANCE PONTIAC WHICH THEN SOLD OUT TO ANDERSON GMC IN HUNT VALLEY, HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD SEAL TWICE, THE FIRST TIME DURING THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD. BOTH REPAIRS WERE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I JUST TOOK THE VAN IN FOR A THIRD TIME, AND THE DEALER NOW SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANY LEAK BUT WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT A CHARGE TO ME OF MORE THAN $300. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. I HAVE PUT UP WITH WATER LEAKING ALL OVER AS I'M DRIVING, DISCOLORED CEILING, AND A MUSTY SMELL FOR YEARS.*AK