1991 Pontiac Trans Sport

Routine

Owners filed 36 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts › front › retractor. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor6
000
Structure › Frame and Members3
000
Structure3
000
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings2
000
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage2
000
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats99I003000
Filed Jun 8, 1999187,459 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.

Risk. THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.

Structure97V058000
Filed Apr 8, 1997676,535 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Structure › Body92V012000
Filed Jan 28, 199295,897 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.

Remedy. REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Feb 28, 2013IA

OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STOP VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION OWNER NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT OF STRUCTURE HANGING DOWN UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT IS APPARENT THE BOLT PULLED OUT OF FRAME STRUCTURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS AND MOTOR TO HANG DOWN. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 15, 2004156,000 milesMN

THE RECALL TO FIX THE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN ON MY 1991 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE SALT USED ON OUR ROADS THAN SOME OF THE STATES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 29, 2003IL

WE OWN A 1991 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ANNOYING PROBLEMS. OUR MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE "STRIKER" FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S DOORS. THE STRIKER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR BECAME LOOSE AND WE WERE ABLE TO "STABLIZE" THE STRIKER WITH A HARDENING CLAY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO USE THE DOOR PERIODICALLY; AND THE STRIKER FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR FELL INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE PANEL, THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO WELD THE STRIKER BACK ON, IT WILL COST ROUGHLY $4,000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS BOTH DOORS. WE ARE USING TEMPORARY MEANS TO HOLD THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHUT UNTIL WE CAN PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON NUISANCE REPAIRS IS UNBELIEVABLE. *AK

Structure
Filed Nov 24, 2003150,000 milesIA

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CRADLE HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE AND NOT BE SUPPORTED WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 20, 2003OH

CARRIAGE RETAINER CLIPS RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CARRIAGE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 8, 2001IA

THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHING BOLT AND WASHER KIT RUSTED IN HALF. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY , PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION . THIS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON!

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 13, 2001IA

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SUBFRAME DROPPED ABOUT A FOOT PULLING STEERING SHAFT OFF STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING POWER. ALSO, VEHICLE SWERVED TO LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SUBFRAMES BOLTS AND BUSHINGS AT REAR OF SUBFRAME.*AK *SLC

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jun 22, 2001MS

THE EXACT DATE OF THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON PASSENGERS SIDE IS UNKNOOWN. THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS 06/17/2001.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 20, 2000NY

THE BELTS ON THE FIRESTONE TIRES (P205 65 R15) BROKE. *SLC

Structure
Filed Feb 16, 2000MO

THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS HAVE PULLED OUT THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Feb 4, 2000NY

RECALL 97V058 000/REAR CRADLE BOLTS: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE LOSES STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Oct 22, 1999FL

THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. *YC

Structure
Filed Oct 6, 1999MI

THE FRAME UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS READY TO LET GO. WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE HAVING THE BRAKES CHECKED AND THEY SEEN THAT THE FRAME LOOKED BAD AT THE BRAKE SHOP. WE HAD THE VEHICLE HAULED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AS THE BRAKE GUY SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT DRIVE IT. WHEN WE GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY LOOKED AT IT AND ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS BAD. BOTH THE GUYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BRAKE SHOP SAID THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO GM. I CALLED AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO CALLED AND REPORTED IT AND WANTED SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE IT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THAT IF WE WERE TO BE DRIVING IT 70MPH WHEN THE FRAME DECIDES TO LET LOOSE THE VAN WOULD NEVER QUIT ROLLING. I DID SEND IN A REPORT OF THIS TO YOU AT THE TIME AND WHEN I TALKED TO YOU, YOU SAID THAT I WOULD HEAR FROM SOMEONE AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE PAPERWORK AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF THERE WAS A BUNCH OF BAD FRAMES MANUFACTURED THEN THERE ARE OTHER FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT COULD BE IN DANGER. I ALSO FEEL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 18, 1999MD

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACELERATION WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION (CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGE) CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO RAN ANOTHER STOP SIGN BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Feb 17, 1999WA

DRIVER'S SEAT/MIDDLE SEAT/PASSENGER MID SEAT, AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE BROKEN. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Seat Belts
Filed May 12, 1998NC

THE REAR MIDDLE RIGHT AND LEFT SEAT BELT THAT ANCHORS TO THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RETRACT IN A LOCKING MECHANISM, WHICH IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE OCCUPANT WILL NOT BE PROTECTED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Dec 9, 1997PA

BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Nov 17, 1997FL

THE DASHBOARD SPLIT OPEN AND FUMES COME TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. DEALER SAYS THE AIR CONDITIONER CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING ON THE FLOOR. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. *AK

Steering › Linkages
Filed Sep 11, 1997PA

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON A BUSY SECONDARY ROAD, STEERING FAILED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. BUT DRIVE RWAS ABLE TO BRAKE BEFORE HITTING A TRAFFIC SIGN. IN ADDITION, FRONT CROSSMEMBER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Structure › BodyCrash3 injured
Filed Sep 3, 1997MO

WHILE DRIVING THE ROOF DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE, LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

20 of 36 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20033000Routine
20013010Routine
20002000Routine
199910200Routine
1998227640Above average
1997236623Fatalities reported
199661220Routine
1995113330Routine
1994984120Routine
199361370Routine
199276220Routine
1991 — this page36320Routine
199045510Routine

Compare every Trans Sport year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 8, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.