RoadVitals

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
17
Latest Jan 16, 2012
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 227 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jan 16, 2012

ABS-ANTI LOCKING BRAKES ARE FAULTY AND LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443983
Incident
Jan 6, 2012
Mileage
235,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THERE WAS ALSO A DELAY IN THE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED IN A NORMAL BRAKING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO THE ABS SYSTEM. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT GEARS AT THE CORRECT RPM LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SEPARATE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED, AND THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT COMPLETELY FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10162985
Incident
Jul 14, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE AIR CONDITIONING MAY HAVE NEVER WORKED, WE HADN'T TRIED IT UNTIL 10 MTHS AFTER BUYING THE VAN. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND WE BROUGHT THE VAN TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE REPAIR WOULD COST 800.00. HE ADDED STOP LEAK, WHICH WORKED TEMPORARILY. THE PROBLEM HAS JUST REOCCURED AND WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VAN SINCE. THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON IN AUGUST, WE HAVE FULL USE OF THE BRAKES, JUST OUR ABS IS NOT WORKING. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS. IN NOVEMBER OF 2001, OUR FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CROSSING A BUSY HWY. HERE IN WINNIPEG, AND THE VAN JUST DIED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. I PHONED A DEALER IN WINNIPEG (VICKOR CHEV OLDS) AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS, SOMETIMES THE FUEL PUMP WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL MALFUNCTION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE PHONED THE USED CAR DEALER AUTO TOWN IN WINNIPEG THAT WE BOUGHT THE VAN FROM AND THEY FELT AWFUL, AND OFFERED TO COVER THE LABOR IF WE PAID FOR THE PART. THE PART ALONE WAS 400.00

NHTSA ID
10071320
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Aug 1, 2002

AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. PER-PONTIAC RECALL, THEY SIMPLY INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. WHICH IS ONLY A ONE TIME PERFORMANCE. NHTSA#01V067000 THE CONSUMERS CONCERNS OTHER CONCERN WERE WITH THE VOLUME BUTTON ON THE RADIO, THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW/, AND THE BRAKES. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8015338
Incident
Oct 20, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2002

ABS BRAKES FAIL TO ACTIVATE WHEN APPLIED DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN MOTOR WHICH CAUSES SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *AK UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY MOTOR PACK,*SLC

NHTSA ID
8001986
Brakes
Filed Sep 27, 2001

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, ALSO, BRAKE LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, WHEN ABS LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED BRAKES LIGHTS BECOME FUNCTIONAL.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEMDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
896973
Incident
Sep 19, 2001
BrakesVisibility
Filed Dec 27, 2000

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A STOP. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE, AFTER A MONTH OF USE, DID NOT PROPERLY REMOVE RAIN WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED AT LEAST 8 TIMES, AND DELEAR COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
877088
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
BrakesTransmission
Filed Feb 2, 2000

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL. MY BRAKES WEAR VERY QUICKLY AND SMELL HOT AT TIMES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF BRAKES , 5 ROTORS AND 3 CALIPERS IN 56,000 HWY MILES. MY LOW TRACTION LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT SPEEDS OF 68 - 72 MPH. THE DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE MY TIRES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPORT 3 OTHER CASES OF THIS TRAC LIGHT GOING ON FOR NO REASON. THEY TELL ME IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT KILL CYLINDERS OR PUT ON THE BRAKES ANDER THESE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER IT HAS KILLED THE CYLINDERS - ONCE AT 68 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME AT APPROX 30 MPH. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND FIXED - BOTH THE ABS AND TCS. PUTIING NEW TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROUTE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED; THAT IS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY! PLEASE ADVISE AS I REFUSE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. I AM READY TO CONTACT CONSUMER ADVOCATE GROUPS AND NEWS STATIONS TO WARN ABOUTH THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. HELP ME MAKE GM TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
718201
Incident
Nov 24, 1998
BrakesSuspension
Filed Dec 14, 1999

FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAUSING FLUID LOSS. NLM

NHTSA ID
549976
Incident
Oct 8, 1999
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 26, 1999

GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHATEVER IS NEEDED. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ID
851739
Brakes
Filed Sep 27, 1999

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD SQUEAKING NOISE AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AN NOISE WENT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED, AND BRAKES WERE FINE.SPRING AROUND EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IN THE REAR BRAKES ASSEMBLY ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE LUG BOLTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
848829
Incident
Sep 25, 1999
BrakesOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 1999

DEALER STATES TIRES HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED BY THEM AND WHEELS WERE TORQUED TO TIGHT .SOUNDS LIKE SMOKE TO ME MAYBE YOU HAVE A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH YOUR DESIGN!

NHTSA ID
709462
Incident
Jul 30, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 13, 1999
Crash reported4 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE AT THE SAME SPEED UNTIL WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE!!! *AK

NHTSA ID
708558
Incident
Jun 13, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 1999

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 15,000 ROTORS TURNED DOWN ALL 4. 2ND TIME VIBRATION FELT @ 23,500 ALL 4 ROTORS TURNED DOWN AGAIN. I'VE REQUESTED NEW ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY AREN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THEY ARE FAULTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
707560
Incident
Jun 10, 1999
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 1998

BRAKES HAVE EXCESSIVE POWER WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED. NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS THE PEDAL IS PUSHED MORE THAN HALF WAY. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE BRAKES WERE DESIGNED TO OPERATE THAT WAY.*AK

NHTSA ID
830270
Incident
May 28, 1998
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+2 more
Filed Nov 5, 1998

A/C FAILED.

NHTSA ID
542432
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jul 22, 1998

BRAKES FAILED, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES. (QCAW)

NHTSA ID
538162
Incident
May 22, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .