Pontiac Trans Sport Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 973 owner complaints across 15 model years of the Pontiac Trans Sport (1984–2003). The most-complained-about year is 1997.

Pick your Pontiac Trans Sport model year

• 1984
• 1986
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2003

What Pontiac Trans Sport owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 973 complaints with NHTSA. The 1997 model year has the most, with 236.

• Structure: door87
• Seat belts: retractor59
• Exterior lighting: headlights51
• Latches/locks/linkages: latch44
• Power train: automatic transmission34
• Engine and engine cooling33
• Visibility: windshield wiper/washer28
• Engine and engine cooling: cooling system26

All Pontiac Trans Sport recalls (18)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Pontiac Trans Sport, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

   NHTSA 04V597000 Reported December 22, 2004 717,302 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for…

   Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

2. Rack and pinion (steering)

   NHTSA 02V286000 Reported November 4, 2002 1,159,156 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Certain passenger vehicles and MINI vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their…

   Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998

3. Air bags: frontal

   NHTSA 02V027000 Reported January 25, 2002 1,730 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain passenger vehicles and MINI vans, the driver's air bag inflator modules could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased internal pressure can cause the inflator module to explode.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. Owner notification began february 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…

   Model years: 1999

4. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

   NHTSA 01V264000 Reported August 21, 2001 248,737 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: 1997-2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana/transport, 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…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on october 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

   Model years: 1997

5. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

   NHTSA 01V067000 Reported March 8, 2001 477,011 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may 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.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01v-264. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

   Model years: 1997, 1998

6. Automatic transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 98V131000 Reported June 11, 1998 38,540 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: MINI vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a 'park' position may not shift the transmission to 'park'.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the automatic transaxle range selector cable.

   Model years: 1998

7. Linkages (visibility)

   NHTSA 98V072000 Reported April 7, 1998 55,154 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger MINI vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected to the traction control system modulator valve. This contact can chafe the brake line resulting in a brake fluid leak.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a brake line clip to ensure proper clearance. Also the brake lines will be inspected to any damage caused by this condition and will replace any damaged lines.

   Model years: 1997, 1998

8. Structure

   NHTSA 97V058000 Reported April 8, 1997 676,535 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

   Model years: 1990, 1991

9. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

   NHTSA 96V015000 Reported January 23, 1996 585,182 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.

   Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

10. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 95V214000 Reported November 3, 1995 6,772 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with throttle cable support brackets that could contact the throttle lever system and inhibit the throttle return. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable support bracket.

    Model years: 1995

11. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 95V048000 Reported March 20, 1995 6,523 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Improperly manufactured brake pedal arm causes the brake pedal arm to fracture during braking.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace all suspect brake pedal assemblies.

    Model years: 1995

12. Webbing (seat belts)

    NHTSA 94V100000 Reported May 24, 1994 5,294 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built in) childseat installed next to the power…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the door frame pillar trim panel with a redesigned trim panel. Also, a caution label will be applied to the child seat advising the owner not to install the seat to the passenger side of a vehicle…

    Model years: 1993, 1994

13. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 94V015000 Reported January 21, 1994 22,862 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The third row safety belt retractors may be installed incorrectly and may lock-up when the vehicle is on slopes of less than 15 degrees, which does not comply with FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

    Remedy: Dealers will remove third row safety belt retractors and reinstall them properly.

    Model years: 1994

14. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 94V027000 Reported January 4, 1994 157,740 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle fails to conform to FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.

    Remedy: Owners are being asked to inspect their vehicles to determine if the suspect retractor exhibits a lockup condition. Based on this inspection, dealers will replace the safety belts if the belt locks up. Replacement of…

    Model years: 1992, 1993

15. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 93V212000 Reported December 13, 1993 1,238 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The safety belt retractors for the rear center position are missing a pawl spring and in case of an accident, will allow the safety belt webbing to extend beyond the minimum requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the safety belt retractor assembly and replace the retractor if the pawl spring is missing.

    Model years: 1994

16. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 92V012000 Reported January 28, 1992 95,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS 201.

    Remedy: Replace the current upper glove compartment door with a redesigned upper glove compartment door which incorporates a positive latch to keep the door closed should a vehicle crash occur.

    Model years: 1990, 1991

17. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 91V046000 Reported March 15, 1991 400 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A right hand seat/shoulder belt retractor may have been installed in the second row left hand seat position (directly behind driver).

    Remedy: Replace shoulder belt assembly.

    Model years: 1990

18. Seats

    NHTSA 89V164000 Reported October 2, 1989 343 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The rear modular seat frame hold-down hooks may not meet the required pull force at the rear set anchorage.

    Remedy: Replace rear hold down hooks and pivot rivets with heat treated hardware.

    Model years: 1990

Other Pontiac models

• G65,889 complaints
• Grand AM5,580 complaints
• Grand Prix5,426 complaints
• Bonneville1,979 complaints
• Vibe1,865 complaints
• Sunfire1,144 complaints
• Montana1,054 complaints
• Solstice728 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.