RoadVitals

1991 Pontiac Trans Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Feb 28, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jun 8, 1999
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
7
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport, most frequently naming the body & structure, seat belts and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure1128.2%
  • Seat belts1025.6%
  • Brakes410.3%
  • Steering37.7%
  • Visibility25.1%
  • Engine25.1%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%
  • Exterior lighting12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
99I003000

SEATS

Jun 8, 1999
187,459 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.
The risk: THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
97V058000

STRUCTURE

Apr 8, 1997
676,535 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 97016View on NHTSA.gov
92V012000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Jan 28, 1992
95,897 units potentially affected
The defect: THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.
The remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ97017OpenRecall Query

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Opened Oct 2, 1997

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 97V058000
EA00011ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Opened Apr 10, 2000
Closed Jan 12, 2001

THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 00V189000
EA97019ClosedEngineering Analysis

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE

Opened Sep 30, 1997
Closed Jun 8, 1999

ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT

SEATSLed to recall 99I003000
PE97016ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE

Opened Apr 7, 1997
Closed Sep 30, 1997

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.

SEATS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 36
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 28, 2013

OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STOP VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION OWNER NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT OF STRUCTURE HANGING DOWN UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT IS APPARENT THE BOLT PULLED OUT OF FRAME STRUCTURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS AND MOTOR TO HANG DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500779
Incident
Dec 13, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Sep 15, 2004

THE RECALL TO FIX THE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN ON MY 1991 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE SALT USED ON OUR ROADS THAN SOME OF THE STATES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091076
Incident
Sep 15, 2004
Mileage
156,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 29, 2003

WE OWN A 1991 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ANNOYING PROBLEMS. OUR MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE "STRIKER" FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S DOORS. THE STRIKER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR BECAME LOOSE AND WE WERE ABLE TO "STABLIZE" THE STRIKER WITH A HARDENING CLAY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO USE THE DOOR PERIODICALLY; AND THE STRIKER FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR FELL INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE PANEL, THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO WELD THE STRIKER BACK ON, IT WILL COST ROUGHLY $4,000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS BOTH DOORS. WE ARE USING TEMPORARY MEANS TO HOLD THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHUT UNTIL WE CAN PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON NUISANCE REPAIRS IS UNBELIEVABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10051274
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Nov 24, 2003

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CRADLE HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE AND NOT BE SUPPORTED WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10048582
Incident
Nov 21, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 20, 2003

CARRIAGE RETAINER CLIPS RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CARRIAGE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024625
Incident
Jun 17, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Sep 8, 2001

THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHING BOLT AND WASHER KIT RUSTED IN HALF. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY , PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION . THIS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON!

NHTSA ID
751898
Body & structure
Filed Aug 13, 2001

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SUBFRAME DROPPED ABOUT A FOOT PULLING STEERING SHAFT OFF STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING POWER. ALSO, VEHICLE SWERVED TO LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SUBFRAMES BOLTS AND BUSHINGS AT REAR OF SUBFRAME.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
894116
Incident
Aug 6, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Jun 22, 2001

THE EXACT DATE OF THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON PASSENGERS SIDE IS UNKNOOWN. THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS 06/17/2001.*AK

NHTSA ID
747249

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

01880

POWER TRAIN

NO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

436303

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK THUD/CLUNK. *TW

431051

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SLIDING DOOR RATTLES. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Trans Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003301—
2002001—
2001301—
2000202—
1999102454.7
19982276762.4
19972366658.2
1996612050.9
19951133050.7
1994984260.6
1993613157.3
1992762655.4
1991Viewing363761.4
1990455955.9
1989001—
1986100—
1984100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.