AI DamagePontiac Trans Sport: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Trans Sport across 16 model years: 976 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 16% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 12% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 156 complaints (16% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 127 complaints (13% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 115 complaints (12% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 104 complaints (11% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 102 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1990–1995
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1996–1999named in 9 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1992–1995
- automatic, 3-speed 1990–1995
- automatic, 4-speed 1992–1999
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 976 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 156 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 127 | 6 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 115 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 104 | 9 | 0 |
| Visibility | 102 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 93 | 6 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 79 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 73 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 68 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 52 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 42 | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 41 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 34 | 16 | 0 |
| Suspension | 19 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 1998 pontiac transport with 183,000 failure mileage)at 55 mph the driver's side front tire blew out without any warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle hit a culvert on the left passenger side. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy.
When this occurred, the front driver side seatbelt shoulder strap did not lock. The driver hit the steering wheel causing minor chest injuries, then the airbag deployed. Also, the middle row driver side seatbelt came unlocked. This caused the occupants leg to be crushed, resulting in surgery.
As time passed, the light came on more & more frequently. The engine then began to idle high and would go into a "super idle" where I would have to nearly stand on the brake pedal to stop the forward motion at a stop. Ow the "service engine soon" light is coming on constantly and the vehicle stalls constantly.
Consumer's vehicle had to slow down to make a turn and was rear ended by another vehicle. This caused the back of driver's seat to collapse, and driver ended up in the rear of the vehicle. Driver sustained back, shoulder, neck, and head injuries.
My vehicle was rear-ended while I was stopped. There was no visible damage, however the 3rd row right side seat's front latches became unhooked from the floor and the seat was left in a reclined position. The back floor latches were still secured.
Vehicle involved in an accident and air bags did not deploy. Vehicle sustained damage to the front fender and driver's side door. Front windshield broke inwards and cracked across. Vehicle was equipped with four air bags and none of the deployed. Consumer questioned why? Vehicle was totaled. (ph
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.