Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 287 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Trans Sport, 1997–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1997–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V597000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
717,302
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-22
Owners notified
2005-05-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Manufacturer 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 APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V286000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,159,156
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-04
Owners notified
2003-01-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V067000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
477,011
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer 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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V131000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
38,540
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-11
Owners notified
1998-06-26

Defect description

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'.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V072000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
55,154
Reported to NHTSA
1998-04-07
Owners notified
1998-04-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting: headlights2359,500 mi
Structure: body: door17—
Engine and engine cooling1669,309 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch16100,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1569,000 mi
Air bags11126,684 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1172,000 mi
Air bags: frontal85,262 mi
Steering: rack and pinion8107,000 mi
Steering788,000 mi
Unknown or other771,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline670,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission688,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6—
Electrical system5105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe473,000 mi
Exterior lighting480,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices423,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system45,262 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump4—
Tires4179,300 mi
Child seat3—
Seats3—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust338,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Visibility: power window devices and controls371,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module270,210 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Power train2—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: manual transmission2136,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Child seat: harness buckle: infant1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts188,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly168,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack134,000 mi
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1104,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger/bracket1102,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: cables161,153 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1115,200 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: hub15,262 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 16 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Pontiac Trans Sport model years

200320012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019861984

All Pontiac Trans Sport recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.