RoadVitals

1994 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.
98
Latest Mar 23, 2009
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.
4
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.
2
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.
16
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 98 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport, most frequently naming the seat belts, visibility and body & structure categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 25 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

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
94V100000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

May 24, 1994
5,294 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BELT CAN BECOME "PINCHED" BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM. THE SHOULDER BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE 1994 VEHICLES HAVE AN OPTIONAL INTEGRAL (BUILT IN) CHILDSEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO THE POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.
The risk: IMPROPER SHOULDER BELT RETRACTION DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V015000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Jan 21, 1994
22,862 units potentially affected
The defect: THE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MAY LOCK-UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON SLOPES OF LESS THAN 15 DEGREES, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SEATED IN THESE POSITON MAYBE UNABLE TO EXTRACT AND FASTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS MOVED TO A MORE LEVEL SURFACE. UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THAN THOSE USING SAFETY BELTS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE95062ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PASSENGER SIDE DASH FIRES

Opened Dec 9, 1995
Closed Apr 10, 1996

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PE94070ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES

Opened Sep 15, 1994
Closed Jan 18, 1995

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 98
Body & structure
Filed Mar 23, 2009

PAINT IS PEELING ON THE TOP OF VAN. OTHER TRANSPORTS I HAVE SEEN HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE PAINT? THE PAINT ON THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS GOOD WITH NO APPARENT DEFECTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10262732
Incident
Jun 5, 2005
Seat belts
Filed Mar 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 93V212000, 94V10000 AND 94V015000, REGARDING THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH ROW SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10153860
Incident
Mar 20, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 31, 2005

FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELTS ON ALL YEAR (93,94,95,96) CHEVY LUMINA,PONTIAC TRANSPORT, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. I HAVE OWNED THEM ALL

NHTSA ID
10122587
Incident
May 31, 2005
Visibility
Filed Jun 18, 2004

I OWN A 1994 PONTIAC TRANSPORT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP AND RESUME AT WILL, SOMETIMES THEY ARE INACTIVE FOR AS LONG AS HOURS. TWICE THIS ALMOST LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT IN CANADA THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOW COME NOT IN THE US? IF THE SAME COMPONENT IS BEING USED THERE WILL BE THE SAME OUTCOME!*AK

NHTSA ID
10078419
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 10, 2004

THE TIRE TREAD (ON A TIRE WITH 50% USABLE TREAD REMAINING) SEPARATED CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $1,500 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. BFNT RESPONDED TO MY CLAIM BY CLAIMING THE SEPARATION WAS DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED EVIDENCE TO BACK THIS ASSERTION.

NHTSA ID
10065881
Incident
Jun 27, 2003
Mileage
130,600 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 28, 2004

1994 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AN INSERT WAS PUT IN WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO REMOVE FUSE FOR TAILLIGHT AND REPLACE. THIS WORKED INITIALLY BUT NO LONGER TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10055049
Incident
Apr 1, 1997
BrakesEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

STALLS WHEN GETS WARM. ABS BRAKING LIGHT COMES ON EVERY NOW AND THEN. I WAS ROLLING UP WINDOW IT HAS ELECTRIC AND WINDOW SHATTERED IN SIDE DOOR. I HAVE PUT A NEW MODULE IN AND A NEWROTOR CAP AND THE NEW COIL. THE OLD COIL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE VAN STALLED ON ME. NOW IT HAS NO SPARK. I HAD IT IN SADLERS MOTORS AND THEY TOLD ME THE MODULE WAS BAD. I PUT IT IN. IT STUDDERS GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT GETS WARM GAS QUIT COMING OUT OF INJECTORS THEN WHEN I PUT MODULE ON INJECTORS WORK NOW I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS RECALLS ON ANY OF THAT STUFF I BAUGHT THE VAN USED. WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER ANY OF THIS. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WAS IN WITH THE PRICE OF THE VAN BUT TO FIND OUT THEY CHARGED US FOR THE WARRANTY. SOMTIMES WHEN WE HIT A BUMP IT HAS A RATTLING NOISE FROM REAR; IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM FRONT SOMTIMES.

NHTSA ID
10070293
Incident
May 15, 2003
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

TRANSMISSION - WHEN YOU START THE VAN, AND PUT INTO GEAR, IT TAKES AT LEAST 10-20 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE INTO FORWARD AND REVERSE. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT- WOULD NOT RETRACT, HAD TO REPLACE, IT COST $100.00 REPLACED 2 ALTINATORS, 1 STARTER AND 4 BATTERIES. HAD TO RE-SEAL INTAKE TWICE. LIFTER TICK, DONUT SEAL REPLACED. VACUMM LEAK REPAIRED. COOLANT LEAK, HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET TWICE. COOLANT IS LEAKING AGAIN. DOOR HANDLE, DRIVERS SIDE BROKE TODAY.

NHTSA ID
10069890
Incident
Jan 15, 2003

Manufacturer communications

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

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

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

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
1994Viewing984260.6
1993613157.3
1992762655.4
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.