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1998 Pontiac Trans SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 227 owner complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

22
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.5× the Trans Sport median · #1 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22735 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage71kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 23, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport has problems

227 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
Engine and engine cooling520
Exterior lighting300
Steering260
Air bags2111
Structure210
Service brakes, hydraulic161
Power train162
Latches/locks/linkages152
Electrical system143
12 other systems605

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

5 recalls

1998 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

Doors: latch

Recall 04V-597 · Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 98V-072 · Apr 7, 1998 · 55,154 vehicles

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

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.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

71kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 28 engine and engine cooling complaints. 89% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 30% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles25under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 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

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport safety ratings

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport w/SAB 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILUREEA02032 · closed Nov 21, 2003
    No recall
  2. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILUREEA03005 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  3. AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENTPE00045 · closed Jan 11, 2001
    No recall
  4. SHOULDER HARNESS CLIPPE02017 · closed Aug 2, 2002
    No recall
  5. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILUREPE02086 · closed Apr 9, 2003
    No recall
  6. POWER-SLIDING DOORPE04064 · closed Dec 22, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-597
  7. UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOORSQ00014 · closed Oct 22, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-067
In owners' words

What Trans Sport owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AFTER I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED $350 JOB THE INTAKE GASKET SPRUNG A LEAK. THEREFORE I HAD TO HAVE NOT ONLY THIS REPLACED BUT THE VALVE COVER GASKET AS WELL WHICH COST A TOTAL OF $867. I ALSO HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAY WHICH COST AN ADDITIONAL $30 PER DAY. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE RECOMMENDED…
Complaint 10434040 · Nov 2, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY IN BETWEEN THE INTAKE AND THE BLOCK. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER DUE TO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CONSUMES A LARGE…
Complaint 10190639 · May 14, 2007 · 65,000 miles
1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT SPIKED THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND WAS SHUT DOWN. PROBLEM CAUSED BY CRACKED HEAD. REPLACED ENGINE AT 70,000+ - WITH USED ENGINE WITH 30,000 MI. NOW AT 80,000 MI. ENGINE HAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. VAN NOT WORTH ANOTHER ENGINE REPAIR BILL. *NM
Complaint 10174603 · Nov 28, 2006 · 70,000 miles

Own a 1998 Trans Sport?

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