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1996 Pontiac Trans SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year3% below the Trans Sport median · #7 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6111 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 21, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport has problems

61 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility130
Engine and engine cooling133
Steering71
Service brakes, hydraulic51
Structure51
Electrical system50
Power train40
Air bags32
Seats21
7 other systems101

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1996 Pontiac Trans Sport recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 02V-286 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Trans Sport year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Trans Sport median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Pontiac Trans Sport safety ratings

1996 Pontiac Trans Sport. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Trans Sport owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

COMPLAINT #1- WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK IN THE RAIN. DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT # 2- TILT STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. THE WHOLE COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT #3- BLACK PAINT OVER THE CAB FLAKED OFF. *NM
Complaint 10143026 · Nov 17, 2005 · 160,000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER QUIT OR DO NOT WORK AT TIMES, IF YOU TURN THEM TO HIGH SPEED THEN USE WASHER FLUID THEY MAY CONTINUE TO WORK. THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER. ONLY KNOWN REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF WIPER MOTOR BY DEALER, "THAT SHOULD FIX IT". DRIVER NEVER KNOWS IF WIPERS WILL WORK…
Complaint 10064340 · Apr 1, 2004 · 57,000 miles
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED WORKING. *AK *TS *JB
Complaint 10034475 · Sep 23, 2003

Own a 1996 Trans Sport?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.