MYRModel Year Report

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
236
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 45 complaints 1990 1991: 37 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 98 complaints 1995: 113 complaints 1996: 61 complaints 1997: 236 complaints 1997 236 1998: 227 complaints 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 3 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1991: 37 complaints 1991 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 98 complaints 1995: 113 complaints 1995 1996: 61 complaints 1997: 236 complaints 1997 236 1998: 227 complaints 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 3 complaints 2003
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1990 1991: 37 complaints 1991 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 98 complaints 1994 1995: 113 complaints 1995 1996: 61 complaints 1996 1997: 236 complaints 1997 236 1998: 227 complaints 1998 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 3 complaints 2003

1997: 236 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19861
19890
199045
199137
199277
199361
199498
1995113
199661
1997236
1998227
199910
20002
20013
20020
20033

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

23% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Wife making left turn onto busy road, van would not respond to to turning the wheel. Side impact at 40 mile + from semi. Injuries sustained by wife, broken hip crushed left arm , fractured tail bone and fractured base of skull.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-04

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The van was involved in accident which the intake manifold gasket was damaged. The van was repaired by a Pontiac dealership. Anti-freeze is leaking by the intake manifold and mixing with the oil, which wasn't from the accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-10

Exterior lighting

17% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

Structure

16% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing door and underbody shields.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I own a 1997 Pontiac transport that should have a immediate recall. The power sliding door is opening when ever it wants mostly while making left turns. The door opened twice within the last week. Once almost losing my son.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-12-30

Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scary.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-07-15

Also filed under Seats

Visibility

11% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Recall 98V072000; the stopping distance hasn't gotten any better since the recall work has been performed, and when turning on the windshield wipers the radio failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-05-07

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 236 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-04-24Visibility98V072000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2000-07-25SQClosed 2001-10-22 Unexpected opening of sliding door
  4. R
    2001-04-18Latches/locks/linkages01V067000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2001-10-22Latches/locks/linkages01V264000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on October 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2001-11-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-04-04 Steering rack and pinion
  7. I
    2002-02-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-02 Shoulder harness clip
  8. I
    2002-04-04Engineering analysisClosed 2002-12-10 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  9. I
    2002-11-18Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-21 Safety belt assembly failure
  10. R
    2003-01-24Steering02V286000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2003-04-23Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Rear axle trailing arm failure
  12. R
    2005-05-31Latches/locks/linkages04V597000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 41 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V072000 · Visibility
  • Recall 01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 02V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 04V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.