US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Pontiac Trans Sport recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Pontiac Trans Sport,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Pontiac Trans Sport. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Pontiac Trans Sport,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1984–2003 with 31 recall campaigns and 1262 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1998 (5), 1997 (5), and 1994 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1997 (307), 1998 (287), and 1995 (151).
Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Powertrain, and Structure.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Structure:body:door, Seat belts:front:retractor, Exterior lighting:headlights.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
9 campaigns · Years: 1990, 1992–1994, 1997–1999
These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Pontiac Trans Sport in NHTSA complaint data are
Structure:body:door, Seat belts:front:retractor, Exterior lighting:headlights.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2003
0
4
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Structure:frame and members, Visibility:power window devices and controls, Tires.
2001
0
4
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Child seat, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline:storage.
2000
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Tires.
1999
2
18
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Engine and engine cooling, Child seat.
1998
5
287
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:headlights, Structure:body:door, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1997
5
307
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Exterior lighting:headlights, Steering:rack and pinion.
1996
1
76
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Structure:body:door, Engine and engine cooling.
1995
3
151
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1994
4
128
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1993
3
77
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines.
1992
2
96
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1991
2
46
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Structure:frame and members, Tires:tread/belt.
1990
4
64
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:frame and members, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1986
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seats:front assembly:recliner.
1984
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Steering.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Seat belts
, Latches/locks/linkages
and Power train
Show recall evidence by year
1999
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1998
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Linkages:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected to the traction control system modulator valve. This contact can chafe the brake line resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a 'park' position may not shift the transmission to 'park'.
1997
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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. Also 2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana, and oldsmobile
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Linkages:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected to the traction control system modulator valve. This contact can chafe the brake line resulting in a brake fluid leak.
1996
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
1995
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: These vehicles were assembled with throttle cable support brackets that could contact the throttle lever system and inhibit the throttle return. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 124, "Accelerator control systems."
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
1994
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The safety belt retractors for the rear center position are missing a pawl spring and in case of an accident, will allow the safety belt webbing to extend beyond the minimum requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection."
Seat belts: Retractor:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The third row safety belt retractors may be installed incorrectly and may lock-up when the vehicle is on slopes of less than 15 degrees, which does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies."
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
1993
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
1992
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
1991
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 201.
Structure:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolt
1990
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 201.
Structure:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolt
Other Pontiac Models
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This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
