MYRModel Year Report

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Trans Sport Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 45 complaints 1990 1991: 36 complaints 1992: 76 complaints 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 98 complaints 1995: 113 complaints 1996: 61 complaints 1996 1997: 236 complaints 1997 1998: 227 complaints 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 3 complaints 2003
1997: 236 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19861
19890
199045
199136
199276
199361
199498
1995113
199661
1997236
1998227
199910
20002
20013
20020
20033

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20051230

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11%

11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 27 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 16 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 6%

6% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 14 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 236
R 19980424 — visibility

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

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.

Campaign 98V072000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000725 — SQ (closed 20011022)

UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR

R 20010418 — latches/locks/linkages

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 MOTI

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 O

Campaign 01V067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011022 — latches/locks/linkages

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 DE

Campaign 01V264000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011114 — PE (closed 20020404)

STEERING RACK AND PINION

I 20020211 — PE (closed 20020802)

SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP

I 20020404 — EA (closed 20021210)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20021118 — EA (closed 20031121)

SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE

R 20030124 — steering

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

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

Campaign 02V286000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030423 — EA (closed 20040112)

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE

R 20050531 — latches/locks/linkages

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 SLI

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

Campaign 04V597000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V072000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V067000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V264000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V286000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V597000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1990 ● 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1994

See all years ranked →

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 structure:body:door, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.