1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 45 |
| 1991 | 37 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1993 | 61 |
| 1994 | 98 |
| 1995 | 113 |
| 1996 | 61 |
| 1997 | 236 |
| 1998 | 227 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
AIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140523
14% of complaints: exterior lighting — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.
12% of complaints: steering — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.
9% of complaints: structure — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.
9% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130529
THE VEHICLE CROSSED OVER THE CENTER LINE STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 50 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20040130
WHILE DRIVING AT 57MPH AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030127
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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 TRAN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.
Campaign 98V131000 — check if this car was fixed
UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
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
SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
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
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
POWER-SLIDING DOOR
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
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
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (53 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V072000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V131000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V067000 (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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.