1999 Pontiac Trans Am Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Pontiac Trans Am, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure523.8%
- Powertrain (other)314.3%
- Suspension314.3%
- Steering29.5%
- Brakes29.5%
- Engine29.5%
- Electrical14.8%
- Seat belts14.8%
- Interior & seats14.8%
- Transmission14.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY 1999 PONTIAC TRANS AM BRAND NEW, 8/23/99. IT NOW HAS 31,310 MILES AND BOTH MY DOOR PANELS HAVE CRACKS, ABOUT 1/4 WAY BACK. ALSO, I HAD A GROWLING NOISE IN MY REAR BEARINGS AND I HAD TO HAVE A NEW PINION BEARINGS, CARRIER BEARINGS, RING AND PINION GEAR SET INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN WHERE I TOOK IT TO BE FIXED IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN HARD. MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROX. 10 MILES A DAY EVERYDAY SINCE I GOT IT AND HAS BEEN ONLY ONCE, TO LOUISVILLE, ABOUT 100 MILES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE EVERY NIGHT SINCE I'VE HAD IT. *JB
THERE ARE CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE DOOR PANELS OF MY 1999 TRANS AM. THE CRACKS ARE IN THE SAME LOCATION ON EACH DOOR PANEL. (TOP OF PANEL AT EDGE, BACK 1/3 OF PANEL.) THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON AMONG TRANS AM OWNERS WITH 1998-2002 MODELS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY 1999 PONTIAC TRANS AM BRAND NEW, 8/23/99. IT NOW HAS 31,310 MILES AND BOTH MY DOOR PANELS HAVE CRACKS, ABOUT 1/4 WAY BACK. ALSO, I HAD A GROWLING NOISE IN MY REAR BEARINGS AND I HAD TO HAVE A NEW PINION BEARINGS, CARRIER BEARINGS, RING AND PINION GEAR SET INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN WHERE I TOOK IT TO BE FIXED IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN HARD. MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROX. 10 MILES A DAY EVERYDAY SINCE I GOT IT AND HAS BEEN ONLY ONCE, TO LOUISVILLE, ABOUT 100 MILES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE EVERY NIGHT SINCE I'VE HAD IT. *JB
REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINING UNBEARABLY LOUD. TOOK TO LOCAL GM DEALER TO DIAGNOSE, THEY SAY IT NEEDS REPLACED. WARRANTY I BOUGHT IS INSPECTING TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT. THIS AFFECT'S THE COMFORT, RELIABLITY, AND SAFETY OF THIS CAR. I WILL UPDATE WHEN MORE INFO IS RECIEVED FROM THE GM DEALER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, THIS IS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER LS1 POWERED F-BODY OWNERS WITH THIS GM REAR DIFFERENTIAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH OF MY SUN VISORS HAVE FALLEN OUT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PUT BACK IN PLACE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE NEEDED THESE VISORS TO DRIVE SAFELY WHEN THE SUN IS COMING UP OR GOING DOWN. I FEEL THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE. *TR
HEADLIGHTS FLIP UP AND DOWN AND MAKES GRINDING NOISE WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. SAME OCCURS WHEN FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM IS ACTIVATED. DEALER REPORTS ACTUATOR BAD. SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES SINCE 2000. ALONG WITH THAT, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE ALONG WITH THE ACTUATOR. REAR END OF VEHICLE RATTLES NEAR SPEAKERS. DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL LOOSE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH OF MY SUN VISORS HAVE FALLEN OUT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PUT BACK IN PLACE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE NEEDED THESE VISORS TO DRIVE SAFELY WHEN THE SUN IS COMING UP OR GOING DOWN. I FEEL THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE. *TR
THE TIE ROD SNAPPED AND CAUSED CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO TURN TO THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP CONSUMER HAS TO PHYSICALLY PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL TO HOLD VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO RESTART VEHICLE TO GET ENGINE TO STOP RACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
THE BRAKES SHUDDER. AT LOW SPEEDS IT FEELS AS THOUGH A ROUGH SPOT IN THE BRAKES CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP HARD THEN SOFT REPEATEDLY. AT HIGH SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAR SHAKE. ROTORS SEEM TO BE WARPED. PARTS WERE REPLACED AND SAME PROBLEM CAME UP ON NEW PARTS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THAT THEY FOUND NEEDLE BEARINGS IN OIL PAN. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE NEEDLES MAY ENTER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP OR COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE 16 ROCKER ARMS, DRAIN MAGNET,R AND R OIL PAN TO CLEAN,CHANGE OIL AND FILTER. I BELIEVE THESE ROCKER ARMS FAILURE IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AS MY CAR ONLY HAS 16480 MILES AND IS STORED FROM OCT. THROUGH MAY. CAR IS ONE OWNER,ME AND HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR OIL CHANGES BEFORE DRIVING IN SUMMER AND AGAIN BEFORE STORING FOR WINTER. THIS IS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY NUMBERED EDITION CAR AND MEANS A LOT TO ME SO I TAKE EXTREME CARE OF THE CAR. *NM
WHILE AT A STOP, CONSUMER STATES' VEHICLES ENGINE REV'S VERY HIGH. FEELS LIKE VEHICLE IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. CONSUMER HAS TO PRESS ON BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM MOVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS FLIP UP AND DOWN AND MAKES GRINDING NOISE WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. SAME OCCURS WHEN FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM IS ACTIVATED. DEALER REPORTS ACTUATOR BAD. SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES SINCE 2000. ALONG WITH THAT, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE ALONG WITH THE ACTUATOR. REAR END OF VEHICLE RATTLES NEAR SPEAKERS. DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL LOOSE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN CONSUMER NOTICED A RATTLE IN REAR END OF VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING WHICH CAUSED POOR VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER NOTED THAT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RELEASE/ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH, AND VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHENEVER IT RAINED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER AT45 MPH ,AND DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATBACKS RECLINED. CONSUMER FELT THAT SEATS SHOULD NOT RECLINE.*AK CONSUMER, DAUGHTER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER VEHICLE IS WARMED TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER UNEXPECTEDLY. MOTOR REVS DURING EVENT, ALMOST AS IF CAR IS BEEN SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. NO ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, VEHICLE SIMPLY LOSES FORWARD MOMENTUM. TRANSMISSION GUY SAYS EVERYTHING IS FINE, FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .