MYRModel Year Report

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 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
227
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

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 1996 1997: 236 complaints 1998: 227 complaints 1998 227 1999: 10 complaints 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 1998: 227 complaints 1998 227 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 1998: 227 complaints 1998 227 1999: 10 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 3 complaints 2003

1998: 227 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.

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

Air.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-23

Exterior lighting

14% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

Steering

12% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.

Structure

9% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.

Air bags

9% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2013-05-29

The vehicle crossed over the center line striking another vehicle at 50 MPH and none of the air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-30

While driving at 57MPH and involved in an accident air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-27

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 227 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. R
    1998-06-26Power train98V131000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the automatic transaxle range selector cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2000-07-25SQClosed 2001-10-22 Unexpected opening of sliding door
  5. I
    2000-11-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-01-11 Air bag tear during deployment
  6. 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 →

  7. I
    2002-02-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-02 Shoulder harness clip
  8. I
    2002-11-18Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-21 Safety belt assembly failure
  9. I
    2002-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-09 Rear axle trailing arm 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. I
    2004-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-22 Power-sliding door
  13. 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 →

  14. 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

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 53 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V072000 · Visibility
  • Recall 98V131000 · Power train
  • Recall 01V067000 · 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 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.