RoadVitals

1992 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.
76
Latest Mar 16, 2008
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.
2
Latest Jan 23, 1996
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.
6
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 76 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 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

  • Seat belts2628.6%
  • Brakes2325.3%
  • Visibility77.7%
  • Body & structure66.6%
  • Electrical66.6%
  • Interior & seats66.6%
  • Other / unspecified33.3%
  • Transmission33.3%

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

2 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
96V015000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Jan 23, 1996
585,182 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
The risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V027000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Jan 4, 1994
157,740 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

RQ03003ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Opened Jan 8, 2003
Closed Apr 10, 2003

IN APRIL 1997, GM NOTIFIED ODI OF A REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1990-91 U VANS AND MY 1988-91 W CARS THAT COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR.GM IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS EXCESSIVE CREVICE CORROSION OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RETAINER AFTER YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN A SEVERE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.THE RECALL COVERED APPROXIMATELY 680,000 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN 14 RUST BELT STATES; INCLUDING ALMOST 70,000 MY 1990-91 U VANS.THE RECALLED VEHICLES RECEIVED NEW REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS. GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE RETAINERS IN THE MY 1992 U VANS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE MY 1992 RETAINERS ARE ALUMINIZED STEEL WITH A 2.5 MM PROTECTIVE COATING OF ZINC/CHROMATE ORGANIC.THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY FIVE (5) FAILURES IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AFTER MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF EXPOSURE.BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THIS RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PE96002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE

Opened Jan 5, 1996
Closed Apr 16, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE94070ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES

Opened Sep 15, 1994
Closed Jan 18, 1995

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
EA92035ClosedEngineering Analysis

APV FUEL LINE FIRES

Opened Oct 30, 1992
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 76
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension+1 more
Filed Mar 16, 2008

I AM ASE CERTIFIED IN BRAKES STEERING AND SUSPENSION. MY 1992 PONTIAC TRANSPORT HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. ONE ( BRAKES WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL. DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME ONLY FREQUENTLY. AND TWO. IT ALSO WILL VIOLENTLY START SHUTTERING AT SPEEDS OF 40 TO 60 MPH. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS, BOTH TIE RODS(INNER AND OUTER), BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS, ALL 4 STRUTS AND MOUNTS, BOTH ROTORS, TRANS VACUUM SHIFT MODULE, TRANS COOLER LINES, ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, ALL LINES (STEEL AND RUBBER) RADIATOR AND BOTH CV SHAFTS. I AM TIRE OF PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS PIT AND IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED AND I HAVE INVESTED OVER $3,000.00 IN REPAIRS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THIS VERY SAME REPORT HAS BEEN MADE IN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND PONTIAC WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THAT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL OF WHAT EVER IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221360
Incident
Mar 3, 2006
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 26, 2004

THE WIRING HARNESS THAT FEEDS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HVAC BLOWER MOTOR AND OTHER THINGS IS MELTING & SHORTING OUT. I FIND WHEN I LOOK IN SALVAGE YARDS FOR THIS ITEM, ALL THE ONES THAT WOULD FIT THIS VEHICLE ARE MELTED IN THE SAME WAY. THEREFORE, THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10054944
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 4 OF THE 6 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS SINCE JULY OF 2000. THE FAILURE MODE IS THE RETRACTOR SPRING BREAKING OR PULLING OUT OF SEATBELT MOUNTING SHAFT. EACH REPLACEMENT RETRACTOR COSTS $130. REPLACEMENT PARTS LOOK LIKE THEY WILL FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER, VERY POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
10069296
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH STEERING BROKE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE FREELY BUT WOULD NOT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OR DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10044635
Body & structureSteering
Filed Sep 23, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY STEERING UNIT FAILED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING POWER, AND VEHICLE FELL INTO A DITCH. TWO MAJOR BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT END OF THE CHASSIS BROKE LOOSE, CAUSING THE STEERING TO COLLAPSE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040447
Incident
Sep 21, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 10, 2003

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK MOSTLY WHEN WEATHER IS WARM, PER CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10039700
Mileage
150,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 3, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE STUDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE AND RIM TO COME OFF.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

NHTSA ID
567271
Incident
Jul 6, 2002
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2002

ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS RUSTED, AND BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8011965
Incident
May 25, 2002

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

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

970801735026

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

577106A

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

238106

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS (TIGHTEN LOOSE GROUND NUT G105). *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
1992Viewing762655.4
1991363761.4
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.