1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, and owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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…
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Rack and pinion (steering)
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…
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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…
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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…
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Linkages (visibility)
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.
236 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 12 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 89,378 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 35 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scar”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 15, 2021 · Structure
“The fuel guage gives false reading, the needle will position way pass the "full". After putting in fuel, it will move to the "full" mark or show just any amount without the tank being full. It is aver”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 11, 2012 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana (Trans Sport 2WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16 / 23 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Pontiac Trans Sport model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Trans Sport model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Pontiac Trans Sport | 0 | 1 |
| 1986 Pontiac Trans Sport | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport | 4 | 45 |
| 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport | 2 | 36 |
| 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport | 2 | 76 |
| 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport | 3 | 61 |
| 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport | 4 | 98 |
| 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport | 3 | 113 |
| 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport | 1 | 61 |
| 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport | 5 | 236 |
| 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport | 5 | 227 |
| 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport | 2 | 10 |
| 2000 Pontiac Trans Sport | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 Pontiac Trans Sport | 0 | 3 |
| 2003 Pontiac Trans Sport | 0 | 3 |
Checking a specific 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
How do I know if my 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 01V067000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.