Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The power sliding door does not work. The driver has to turn the power off that goes to the door in order to keep it shut. When attempting to shut the door it will only close a little, then re-open. The van was taken to dealer, but was told that they could not repair it.
The passenger's sliding door does not close properly, and allows carbon monoxide into the vehicle, idling or driving when all windows are up. The dealer has been notified, and has adjusted the door per a bulletin from Pontiac. This problem has resulted in consumer getting ill.
Paint on hood of van is peeling and coming off right down to the metal. I've seen the very same issue on many other vans like mine the same year, make and model. This is a factory paint problem and Pontiac should fix this.
Sliding door will not unlock manually or electronically. The dealer is inspecting. Please add more information. The door started acting up after NHTSA recall 01V067000/ manufacturer's recall 01013 repairs were performed.
Intermittently when shutting the power sliding door with the power switch, the door pops open 2 or 3 times before it will shut. Sometimes has to shut the door by hand in order for it to close.
Power sliding door on the passengers side does not close and does not lock. Dealer contacted, and been in for repairs eight times. Problem still exists, offered to buy back the vechicle.
I have a 98 Pontiac transport. The passenger side slide door opens on its own, and it will only open manually. The sliding door stopped opening with the control about three months ago.
Theres an electrical problem with the driver's side door, door locks automatically. Consumer feels that there May be a short within the side door that can start an electrical fire.
Automatic sliding door opened without prior warning. When doors were locked sliding doors will come open without prior warning. Dealership was aware problem.
When driving rear left side door is ajar. Door isn't indicated as ajar on the dash. Consumer states this is a safety problem. Manufacturer notified.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected opening of sliding door
There is no summary currently available
Power-sliding door
Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's…
Body complaints in other Trans Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, 9% of the model year's 227 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 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.
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.