1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
307
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
The 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT has received a total of 307 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STEERING:RACK AND PINION. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebodydoor (33 complaints), Exterior Lightingheadlights (28 complaints), and Steeringrack And Pinion (16 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, potentially affecting up to 2,658,102 vehicles.
Recall 07E021000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
| 742 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
View full details →Recall 04V597000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 717,302 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE...
View full details →Recall 02V286000 — STEERING:RACK AND PINION
| 1,159,156 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN...
View full details →Recall 01V264000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 248,737 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT...
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT...
View full details →Recall 01V067000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 477,011 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT...
View full details →Recall 98V072000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
| 55,154 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
307 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scary.
Sliding door on passenger side locked up trapping passenger inside. Door cannot be opened manually or electronically. A loud buzzing noise then a thud was heard prior. Can't open door any way now scary.
THE FUEL GUAGE GIVES FALSE READING, THE NEEDLE WILL POSITION WAY PASS THE "FULL". AFTER PUTTING IN FUEL, IT WILL MOVE TO THE "FULL" MARK OR SHOW JUST ANY AMOUNT WITHOUT THE TANK BEING FULL. IT IS AVERY HARD ACT TO FOLLOW ESPECIALLY IN THESE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT AFFORD TO TOP OFF THE TANK. IN OTHER WORDS, THIS FUEL GUAGE IS VERY UNRULY AND HAS ITS OWN WAY IN REGISTERING WHAT IT FEELS LIKE SHOWJNG ME. IS THERE A RECALL?. HOW CAN I CORRECT THIS EMBARASSING SITUATION?. *TR
DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ON CONGESTED FREEWAY, AT 55 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS SLOWING DOWN AND I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DROPPED IT IN FIRST GEAR, APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MADE AN EVASIVE LANE CHANGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND LET IT SLOW DOWN BY ITSELF. PULLED OFF ON THE FREEWAY SHOULDER GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE LEAKING AT A HIGH RATE AND BRAKE FLUID PUDDLING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ONLY GOD'S GRACE THAT I DIDN'T REAR END ANYBODY OR GOTTEN INTO A CAR CRASH. DISAPPOINTED IS NOT A STRONG ENOUGH WORD TO USE FOR WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LINE BURST IN A VEHICLE. DOING SOME ONLINE SEARCHES ON GM BRAKE LINE FAILURES I FOUND A LOT OF REPORTED CASES OF GM VEHICLES HAVING SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES THAT HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. HOPE THAT YOU'LL OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE CONCERNS IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY FUTURE INCIDENTS.
IN NOV. OF 2007 I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY VAN OVERHEATING AND WAS LOSING ENGINE COOLANT BUT COULD NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS GOING. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH COST ME OVER 800.00 TO REPAIR. NOT LONG AFTER THE GASKET WAS REPAIRED THE VAN STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN AND I DISCOVERED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS BLOWN, THAT WAS ANOTHER 174.00 TO REPAIR. NOW I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VAN OVERHEATING AND COOLANT LEAKING AND I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT IT IS A HEAD GASKET WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME OVER 1700.00 TO FIX. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VAN AS I DO WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND THEY ARE ALL ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VANS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AND THAT THEIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL IN PLACE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE FAULTY PARTS. THESE ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND I PERSONALLY DO NOT HAVE AN EXTRA $1700.00 JUST LAYING AROUND, SO NOW I AM FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF JUNKING MY VAN AND TRYING TO GET A NEW ONE WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD OR FIXING IT WHICH I ALSO CANNOT AFFORD. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
General Motors, LLC has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
990864017 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THEIR SLIDING SIDE DOOR RATTLES AT THE TOP. *TT
9959 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONDITIONS WITH ICE ACCUMULATING ON THE REAR BRAKE PIPES. *TT
836316 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO VIN BREAKPOINT WD100162 MAY EXHIBIT FUEL TANK THUD / CLUNK TYPE NOISE AUDIBLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED BETWEEN 5/8 AND FULL. *TT
98108 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CONTACTS A BRAKE LINE CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) MODULATOR VALVE WHILE THE WIPER LINKAGE ARM IS IN MOTION. *TT
731104 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
INSUFFICIENT HEATER PERFORMANCE IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER. *YC
970801731057 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
HOTLINE INFORMATION REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR SLIDING DOOR BODY AND REAR QUARTER WINDOW ITCH. *YC
970801738138 — VISIBILITY
SUBJECT ON POWER WINDOW "AUTO-DOWN" FEATURE INOPERATIVE. *YC
736212 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLANT WEEPING FROM COOLANT RECOVERY RESERVOIR CAP. *TW
735011 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
SQUEALING AND/OR GRINDING (SCRAPING) NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES (BEND ABS SPEED SENSOR BRACKET AWAY FROM ROTOR). *TW
731102 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
LOSS OF HVAC MODES (ROUTE VACUUM LINE INSIDETHE FRAME RAIL). *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
- 1992 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 96 complaints
- 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 77 complaints
- 1994 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 128 complaints
- 1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 151 complaints
- 1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 76 complaints
- 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT (current)
- 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 287 complaints
- 1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 18 complaints
- 2000 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 2 complaints
- 2001 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 4 complaints
Other PONTIAC Models
- PONTIAC G6 — 8,406 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND AM — 8,105 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 7,302 total complaints
- PONTIAC BONNEVILLE — 2,576 total complaints
- PONTIAC VIBE — 2,132 total complaints
- PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 1,641 total complaints
- PONTIAC MONTANA — 1,451 total complaints
- PONTIAC TORRENT — 918 total complaints