Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife and I are the original owners of a 1997 Pontiac transport with 71,000 miles. Since about 65,000 miles, it seemed to very slowly lose coolant, but we could not find out where it was going. At 70,000 miles, a "white milky sludge like jelly material" appeared in the engine, and right away I knew we had a problem. This vehicle has been meticulous maintained, so immediately I took it to our local Pontiac dealer and informed them that we had coolant leak. The service department at the dealer confirmed that the lower intake manifold gasket had failed, allowing coolant to mix in with the oil. They had to replace the gasket and flush out the motor all to the tune of $731.00. Calling GM customer service was a waste of time because they "denied" any problems, and they said since the vehicle was out of warranty, we were responsible for any repairs. …
I noticed the low coolant light would go on sometimes and the vehicle was going through coolant much faster than any other vehicle I have owned. I performed some research on this issue and discovered a service bulletin regarding the faulty intake manifold gasket in model year 1997 transport vans, among others. This service bulletin clearly indicates that this issue a result of a poorly designed gasket. Further research indicated that having this problem with your vehicle could result in catastrophic engine failure due to the leaking coolant getting into your engine. This now creates a safety issue due to the unpredictability of when your vehicle could breakdown. I took the van in to a GM dealer the next day. The diagnosis was a faulty intake manifold gasket that was causing coolant to leak inside the engine. …
Engine failure due to leaking intake maifold gasket on 3.4l engine. Engine was meticulously maintained to that point, with all service receipts to prove that fact. No pervious coolant leakage was noted before the problem. Engine began making severe knocking noises while driving in mountains of wyoming. Service tech at laramie GM auto center said that the enging was losing oil pressure and consuming (losing) coolant. Coolant leaked into the intake mainfold through the faulty intake mainfold gasket. I had the repair done, and now 28,000 into the new engine, I am hearing various engine noises again. Will go to new local dealer for analysis. GM should repay me for this--they will not admit any responsibility for this problem, only offering a discount on a new GM car. …
Replaced the upper intake manifold gasket in 2006 . In the last 3 weeks, the van was not putting out much heat and the temp gauge did not rise up to the normal level. I drove into town 6 miles at 60 miles an hour and the temperature gauge went all the way up. I let it cool down and drove to the mechanic ( 1 mile ) and it was going back up again. They replaced the water pump, radiator cap and thermostat and I picked up the van. Within 1 mile it started to heat up again. I returned it . They believe the head gaskets are blown. The estimate that I got to repair it is 1200.00. I got 3 estimates with the high of 1600.00. I already replaced one and now have to re replace it and the other. I'm getting really tired of this but I have to fix it because I cannot sell it if it doesn't run. Hope they fix this in the next vehicles. I wouldn't recommend it due to this defect. …
Vehicle: 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, VIN [redacted], 96,634 mi. Engine developed severe knock and strong smell of coolant. Took vehicle to franklin Pontiac GMC in franklin, tn and was told the intake gaskets had failed and contaminated oil, and that this was not uncommon for this vehicle. Required replacement of lifters, pushrods, intake gaskets, oil and coolant on jan. 17, 2003 for cost of appx. $1,100. Replaced water pump on oct. 18, 2002 for cost of appx. $250. Low coolant light had been coming on intermittently for past several years, with faint smell of coolant, and I filled up radiator reservoir with dexcool thinking it was a normal evaporation through reservoir cap. I have since learned of many other similar intake gasket problems on GM vehicles, and am worried about another gasket failure as well as what unknown damage has occurred to my engine's bearings.
Day before I was going to have my 97 Pontiac transport repaired for a leaking intake manifold gasket I was coming home and the van shut down on me, leaving me with poor steering and hardley no brakes. After leaving it sit for about a hour it restarted. I did some checking on the internet and read about the same thing happenig to other people with leaking manifold gaskets.I called GM about the problem and they said they never heard of any problems like this. The Oldsmobile garage that told me what the problem was said this happens all the time, that the gaskets are defective. My concern is that if there would have been people or cars near me when this happened this could have been deadly. …
My 1997 Pontiac transport only has 54000 miles on it and the engine intake manifold has gone up on it. After looking into it I have found this is a common problem with GM cars and trucks with a 3.4l engine. There seems to be a faulty design to the gasket. I have taken care of this van doing all maintenance on schedule. GM will do nothing to fix this problem even though they are well aware of this happening. They have even issued a service bulletin to dealers on how to diagnose the problem quickly (TSB#02-06-01-014). When the gasket goes there is a loss of power in the engine or stalling making it hard to steer and break.
I have owned my Pontiac transport 2 years. In that time I have driven it 17,000 miles. It has 78,500 miles at present. For most of that time the add coolant light has come on intermittently. My Pontiac dealer tells me that I need a $900 repair to replace a intake manifold gasket. In conversing with other GM owners, I have learned that this is a common problem with the cooling system possibly due to the dex-cool antifreeze which GM says should last 150,000 miles. I feel that GM should take responsibility for these failures. E g armentrout.
Engine has been overheating for a year now. Took vehicle to Pontiac. They tested it and replaced the water pump. Still overheating so they replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. Still overheating. Pontiac stated it needed a new head gasket and wanted $3500.00 to replace it. They further stated they were not sure this was the problem either. I have already paid $500.00 for the previous service. I have read there are many others with this same problem with GM 3.4 liter engines.
Dexcool in 1997 Pontiac transport corroded intake manifold gasket enabling oil and dexcool to mix in oil and gumming up, causing engine to overheat and self destruct. No warning whatsoever. No warning lights. No lost oil or coolant. Maintained at manufacturer intervals. Requires $6,000 engine replacement. Old oil and dexcool samples are available as are all parts (manifold intake gasket). Over 1100 people have this registered complaint -- see www.GM-v6lemons.com for others.
Engine complaints in other Trans Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, 18% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.