Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10 | −93% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 1998 | 227 | 2.6× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1997 | 236 | 2.7× | 5 | Steering | Avoid |
| 1996 | 61 | −65% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 1995 | 113 | −19% | 3 | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Trans Sport year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Pontiac Trans Sport problems
Latest Pontiac Trans Sport recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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…
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
Air bags › Frontal
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…
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on October 22, 2001.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Pontiac Trans Sport should you avoid?
1997 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Trans Sport years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 1997.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Trans Sport?
1999 has the fewest complaints compared with other Trans Sport years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 1995. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Pontiac Trans Sport problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (129), steering (92) and body & structure (79). Engine complaints peak in the 1998 model year.
How many recalls has the Pontiac Trans Sport had?
10 recalls across 1995–1999. The model year with the most is 1997. See all Pontiac Trans Sport recalls by year.
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.