Most common 1999 Pontiac Trans AM problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Trans AM complaints by model year
Best Trans AM years: 1995. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
What 1999 Pontiac Trans AM owners say
Body & structure
I bought my 1999 Pontiac Trans AM brand new, 8/23/99. It now has 31,310 miles and both my door panels have cracks, about 1/4 way back. Also, I had a growling noise in my rear bearings and I had to have a new pinion bearings, carrier bearings, ring and pinion gear set installed. I was told by the technician where I took it to be fixed it looked like it had been driven hard. My car has been driven approx. 10 miles a day everyday since I got it and has been only once, to louisville, about 100 miles away. It has been in the garage every night since I've had it.
When making a left hand turn consumer noticed a rattle in rear end of vehicle. Also, when driving without prior warning vehicle started swaying which caused poor vehicle control. Consumer noted that seat belts do not release/engine check light illuminated on dash, and vehicle leaked water into engine compartment whenever it rained. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
Transmission & drivetrain
Rear differential whining unbearably loud. Took to local GM dealer to diagnose, they say it needs replaced. Warranty I bought is inspecting to see if they are going to pay for it. This affect's the comfort, reliablity, and safety of this car. I will update when more info is recieved from the GM dealer. Upon further investigation online, this is has happened to a lot of other ls1 powered f-body owners with this GM rear differential.
While driving at normal highway speeds after vehicle is warmed to normal operating temperature, the vehicle loses power unexpectedly. Motor revs during event, almost as if car is been suddenly shifted into neutral. No engine lights come on, vehicle simply loses forward momentum. Transmission guy says everything is fine, found nothing wrong.
Suspension
Both of my sun visors have fallen out without the ability to put back in place. There have been several times I have needed these visors to drive safely when the sun is coming up or going down. I feel this could lead to an accident in the future.
When making a left hand turn consumer noticed a rattle in rear end of vehicle. Also, when driving without prior warning vehicle started swaying which caused poor vehicle control. Consumer noted that seat belts do not release/engine check light illuminated on dash, and vehicle leaked water into engine compartment whenever it rained. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
1999 Pontiac Trans AM engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Pontiac Trans AM a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Trans AM rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Trans AM at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Pontiac Trans AM?
The body & structure — 5 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › door. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Trans AM have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Pontiac Trans AM. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Trans AM?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Pontiac Trans AM years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Trans AM problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.