RoadVitals

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
12
Latest Mar 14, 2014
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.
5%
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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 12 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 electrical

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

Electrical
Filed Mar 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS, AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,317.

NHTSA ID
10569261
Incident
Sep 11, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE RETURNED, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH WHITE SMOKE. THE CONTACT ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS TO RELEASE THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ID
10442561
Incident
Jan 4, 2012
Mileage
149,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 2, 2008

PROBLEM: LAST FALL I NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I USED THE TURN SIGNAL? SLOWLY I LOST THE 'TRIP COMPUTER' THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FLASH QUICKLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS A BAD BULB SOMEWHERE WITH THE BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS. I WOULD ALSO NOTICE THAT THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO WOULD DIM WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKES WERE USED. LONG STORY- SHORT, MORE AND MORE THINGS SEEMED TO BE FAILING OVER TIME. I WAS STARTING TO THINK IT WAS RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR. SOLUTION: I PULLED THE TAILLIGHTS AND TOOK A CLOSER LOOK. I PULLED THE PLUGS ON THE TOP OF THE LIGHTS AND I FOUND MELTED CONTACTS ON ONE OF THE SIX CONTACT POINTS. I WAS GOING TO TIN THE CONTACT POINTS PUT THAT DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL. I TOOK A SCREW DRIVER AND REALIGNED THE SOCKETS AND SCRAPPED OFF THE MELTED PLASTIC ON THE PINS. TESTED THE LIGHTS AND THEY WORKED PERFECTLY! ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WENT AWAY! :) WHAT I FIND STRANGE IS THIS IS THE SECOND GM VAN THAT I HAVE SEEN MELTED CONTACT POINTS EITHER ON THE PLUGS OR ON THE SOCKETS OF THE BULBS. SEEING THERE IS N O RECALL ON THIS I HOPE THIS INFO HELPS SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID
10229497
Incident
Oct 20, 2007
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DOOR WOULD APPEAR TO BE CLOSED, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO GEAR, THE ALARM WOULD SOUND TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE BULLETIN NUMBER IS 020864011. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,245 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10209044
Incident
Oct 17, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2004

FAILING OF AIR CONDITIONER 2X WITHIN A 1 YEAR TIME FRAME. RESULTED IN BUYING 2 NEW AIR COMPRESSORS AND PARTS. LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO FOG RESULTING IN BUYING NEW ONE EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, IE., NAVIGATOR,WINDOWS (REAR AND FRONT),CD PLAYER. HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR 2X WITHIN 2 MONTH PERIOD. THIS VAN DRIVES GOOD BUT IT "NICKLE AND DIMEING" US TO DEATH. I HATE IT. EVERY MONTH OR EVEN EVERY WEEK ITS ALWAYS SOMETHING!!!!! IT'S HARD TO MAKE OUR MONTHLY PAYMENT DUE TO ALL OF THE EXPENSES WE ARE SHELLING OUT FOR THIS VEHICLE. I LITTERALLY PRAY FOR OUR VAN. WE HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND WE NEEDED ALL THE ROOM WE COULD GET BUT, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER MINI VAN AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10100123
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
135,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 17, 2002

REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND HORN WILL NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF, CAUSING A PASSENGER TO BE LOCKED INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY BYSTANDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8018823
Incident
Aug 19, 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
Electrical
Filed May 7, 2002

THE POSITIVE TERMINAL POST SEPARATED FROM THE CASING OF THE BATTERY (DELCO FREEDOM, MODEL NR. 78 6YR). *JG

NHTSA ID
785985
Incident
May 4, 2002
Electrical
Filed May 4, 2002

POSITIVE TERMINAL OF MY DELCO FREEDOM BATTERY MOD. 78 6YR SEPARATED FROM THE BATTERY CASE, CAUSING LEAKAGE OF GAS AND ACID AND FAILURE OF BATTERY. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS BATTERY.

NHTSA ID
761535
Incident
May 4, 2002
Electrical
Filed Aug 24, 2001
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VAN. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. LIFTED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT. WITHIN A SECOND VEHICLE BURSTED INTO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
895151
Incident
Aug 5, 2001
Electrical
Filed Nov 16, 2000

AFTER DRIVING OVER 200 MILES AND STOPPING VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLES. VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP, BUT CONTINUES TO STALL. DEALER CAN'T SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
875069
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 1998

THE HORN WILL UNEXPECTEDLY BLOW OUT WITHOUT MANUAL OPERATION WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION TO OCCUR, CAUSE UNKWOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
821168

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .