1998 Pontiac Trans Sport

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 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, 1998 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 1998: 227 complaints 1998 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 3 complaints 2003
1998: 227 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%

10% of complaints: exterior lighting — 23 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 17 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

AIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20140523

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 7%

7% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 15 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

1998 — complaint volume: 227
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

R 19980626 — power train

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

I 20000725 — SQ (closed 20011022)

UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR

I 20001103 — PE (closed 20010111)

AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT

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

I 20020211 — PE (closed 20020802)

SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP

I 20021118 — EA (closed 20031121)

SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE

I 20021118 — PE (closed 20030409)

REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM 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

I 20040917 — PE (closed 20041222)

POWER-SLIDING DOOR

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

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (16 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

▲ 1991 ▲ 1990 ● 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1994

See all years ranked →

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 exterior lighting:headlights, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

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