Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1998 Pontiac transport, bought new, and has 80000 miles on it. Was just told that the intake is leaking, ans will need manifold gasket replacement. Was told that there have been numerous reports of this happening. Alled local Pontiac dealer (matthews Pontiac, vestal, ny [phone]) and they confirmed this, and that there is a new and improved gasket, but they wouldn't help with the cost of replacement. Also reported that my headlamp lenses have been lost (lost 2 in one year) and had to replace entire headlamp unit at my own cost. Dealer said this is common also, and they believe it was a problem with the adhesive!! They will not help with that one either.
Rh headlamp lense fell off. Vehicle never involved in accident. The lense just fell off. Vehicle no longer under warranty. Upon investigating replacement, found out that this is a common problem. No salvage yard has any used available, however they are willing to sell new ones at a price between $100 - $165. I was told that GM wants $250 for the replacement. I also understand that GM is aware of this problem and has done nothing to correct it. This can be seen just by the number of complaints showing up in this website.this could be a serious problem if the light(s) failed at night. It defintely is an expensive problem for the consumer.
Drivers side headlamp fell off - literally just dropped right off of it - I had no idea what it was, sitting at a light, thought it could have been a passing auto - I stopped, looked, thinking it would be the blinker, and kept going- only to find out it was the cover to the head light! This is an ongoing problem, from what we're finding and no junk/salvage yards have any - and they all say the same thing - they're gone before they get there, junk headlamp! These and the grandams! This van has only 50K miles on it! Not like it's got a ton of mileage!
Headlight lens has fallen off due to poor seal and no screws. This is now the second headlight that this has happened to on this van. In addition, we had a 1997 transport and both headlight lenses fell off that one as well. After months of complaining and letter writing, Pontiac corrected the other 3 headlights at no cost but will not do so with this one. This is clearly a product defect and judging by the numerous other complaints on this site for the same problem, it is a common problem.
Where do I start? Same complaints as all other Pontiac minivan owners. Since original purchase in 1998, headlight assembly faulty, ABS warning light malfunction, air bag warning light malfunction, and malfunctioning (still) passenger automatic sliding door. Recently had head gasket replaced due to antifreeze leak, as well as front left wheel hub. This is the worst (and most costly) vehicle I have owned with respect to maintenance.
Defective headlamp assembly- the left headlight lens came off the headlight assembly. The dealer says that this is a common problem. The GMC customer service people also know of the problem,but say that not enough complaints have been filed to warrant a recall. This is bull. Also the plastic on the lens crystallizes,causing reduced light output from the headlamp.
Prob #1 - intake leaking - needs intake manifold gastket replacement. Local dealer will not pay for. Prob #2 - I have lost two headlamp lense covers in the past year - dealer said this happens "a lot!, and that it was probably a problem with the adhesive" I had to replace two complete headlamp assemblies totalling over $200.00
Dt*: the consumer stated the exterior plastic housing on the front headlights turned yellow. The years of direct sunlight tarnished the clearness of the cover. The manufacturer was contacted and recommended the contact purchase new housings for the headlights.
Problem: last fall I noticed that the cruise control would turn off when I used the turn signal? Slowly I lost the 'trip computer' then the turn signals would flash quickly when the brakes were applied. I assumed that there was a bad bulb somewhere with the brakes and turn signals. I would also notice that the clock on the radio would dim when the turn signals and brakes were used. Long story- short, more and more things seemed to be failing over time. I was starting to think it was related to the alternator. Solution: I pulled the taillights and took a closer look. I pulled the plugs on the top of the lights and I found melted contacts on one of the six contact points. I was going to tin the contact points put that didn't work very well. I took a screw driver and realigned the sockets and scrapped off the melted plastic on the pins. Tested the lights and they worked perfectly! …
Right side headlight lense fell off vehicle. Conversation with a Pontiac dealer parts manager and a Pontiac dealer service manager indicated that this is a common problem. The problem is that the lense is "glued" to the housing and that the adhesive material dries out causing the lense to separate from the housing. You can not purchase a replacement lens, you can only purchase an entire headlight asssemble, approximately $240.00 plus labor. Additionally, when moisture enters the now lense free assembly, the halogen headlight fails. Halogen lights have been the cause of several house fires because of their high operational temperture. The Chevrolet venture van uses the same headlight assembly. This same assembly is used on both of these vehicles for several years. …
Headlight complaints in other Trans Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, 13% of the model year's 227 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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.
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 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.