Owners filed 113 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body › door. It has been recalled 3 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Structure › Body › Door
12
0
0
1
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
7
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
7
3
0
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
1
0
0
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
6
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
5
0
0
0
Seats
5
0
0
2
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
5
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
5
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
4
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines96V015000
Filed Jan 23, 1996585,182 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
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.
Risk. VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Vehicle Speed Control95V214000
Filed Nov 3, 19956,772 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THROTTLE CABLE SUPPORT BRACKETS THAT COULD CONTACT THE THROTTLE LEVER SYSTEM AND INHIBIT THE THROTTLE RETURN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE THROTTLE MAY FAITL TO RETURN QUICKLY CAUSING THE ENGINE SPEED TO NOT DECREASE TO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE SUPPORT BRACKET.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages95V048000
Filed Mar 20, 19956,523 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE PEDAL ARM CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO FRACTURE DURING BRAKING.
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE OPERATION INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SUSPECT BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLIES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
EngineCrash
Filed Jan 30, 201750 milesMN
"TAKATA RECALL
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 23, 2008MI
1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID HAVE AN OIL LEAK. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-89-0648. *JB
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 29, 200687,430 milesOH
THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WITH ONE BOLT HOLDING UP THE ENGINE. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY DISCOVERED BY A MECHANIC DOING SOME REPAIRS ON THE ENGINE. THE FRAME ON A 11 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT RUST OUT. A MAJOR ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2006215,000 milesMI
WE HAVE A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. IT LEAKS OIL REALLY BAD. WE GO ABOUT FIFTEEN MILES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO ADD TWO MORE QUARTS OF OIL. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD THE SAME MODEL OF VAN. HIS VAN DID THE SAME THING. HE REPAIRED THE MANIFOLD GASKET THREE TIMES. EACH TIME COSTING $900. FINALLY ON THE FOURTH TIME THIS SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. HE TRADED HIS VAN IN ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE HOWEVER DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR OUR VAN. WE LIVE ON A SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME. *NM
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 7, 200480,000 milesMI
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE ON A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AT 80,000 MILES.*AK
Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed May 11, 2004118,000 milesGA
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK, SHOULDER, NECK, AND HEAD INJURIES. *AK
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 24, 200499,000 milesAZ
HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WHEN I START MY VAN. ALL THE IDIOT LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH, IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACH GAUGES DON'T WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT WORK WHEN YOU PUSHED THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR OR THE ONE ON THE FRONT WINDOW PANEL. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, I WOULD TRY TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULD OPEN AGAIN., SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE WHICH I BOUGHT IN 1999. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR SNAP ON ME. I FEEL THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE THE FIRST PROBLEM I WAS TALKING ABOUT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IT'S WHEN I HAVE GOTTEN IN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY THEY DID FIND A GROUNDED OUT WIRE. *JB
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 11, 200480,000 milesOH
AT ANY SPEED WHEN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES VEHICLE HESITATED. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD BE ON THE VERGE OF STALLING, BUT KEPT ON RUNNING AT A LOW RPMS. DEALER IS DISMISSED THE PROBLEM. *AK
SteeringCrash
Filed Jan 15, 2004MO
THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, GM NEVER LETS ME KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TODAY THEY HAVE RECALLED THEM AGAIN FOR A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION. VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS THING FIXED! REALLY NEED A NEW CAR NOW. THE GAS GAUGE OR TANK IS EMPTY WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS 1/2 TANK. SIDE DOOR WE UNPLUGGED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE LIGHT STILL SHOWS ON MY DASH AS OPEN. MANY TIMES IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT OPEN. IN A CRASH WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN ANY DOORS IF THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING BADLY. WE REPLACED IT ONCE ONLY TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. WE USE A LOT OF FLUID AND OIL. THE ENGINE IS RUNNING VERY POORLY, WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS. INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. VAN LOOKS NEW ON OUTSIDE EXCEPT THE HOOD WHICH HAD NO PRIMER ED AND NOW HAS CHIPS ON IT. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, WE CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR NOR FIX THIS ONE.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200475,000 milesPA
DEALER HAD AT PREVIOUS TIMES CHECKED COOLANT SYSTEM AND SAID NO TROUBLE, HAD CLEANED RADIATOR AND CHECKED ENGINE TEMPERATURE. SAID EVERYTHING OK. NOW OUT WARRANTY AND ENGINE BLOWN DUE TO COOLANTLEAKAGE AND BEST DEAL SO FAR FOR REPAIR IS 3400.00 FROM CHEVY DEALER. VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS AS TRADE W/O FIX AND NOT SURE HOW MUCH ITS WORTH EVEN WHEN FIXED WITH THIS HISTORY. 1-800-PMCARES OFFERS NO OFFER OF REPAIR COST EVEN W/ 2600+ COMPLANTS ON GMCNSMR/PETITION SITE
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 19, 200380,000 milesMD
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS A CRACKED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Oct 8, 200395,000 milesMA
IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V286000 I THINK YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 1995 MODEL YEAR FOR GM MINI-VANS. I OWN A 1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP (NON-DEALER) TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE FINAL RESOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. THE MECHANIC COMMENTED THAT IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR A STEERING RACK TO FAIL UNDER NORMAL WEAR. I LEARNED OF THE RECALL WHEN MY MOTHER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM FOR HER 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV.
Seats
Filed Oct 8, 2003MA
A BRACKET UNDER THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BREAKS OVER TIME. THE BRACKET IS PART OF THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (MANUALLY OPERATED). ONCE BROKEN, THE SEAT IS ONLY SECURED TO THE BASE AT THREE POINTS INSTEAD OF FOUR. THE SEAT CAN ALSO BE LIFTED AN ROCKED. ALSO, ONCE BROKEN THE SEAT MOVES AND SINKS TOWARD THE BACK LEFT WITH THE WEIGHT OF A PERSON AND MOVES A LOT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I DECIDED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION AFTER I LEARNED THAT THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF SEAT (WITH THE MANUAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT) AND DEFINITELY IMPEDES ONES ABILITY TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION HOW THE SEAT WILL PERFORM IN AN ACCIDENT. I FIGURE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE I WENT TO A JUNK YARD TO OBTAIN A USED SEAT/BASE AND THE JUNK YARD HAD 7 VEHICLES LIKE MINE. OF THE 7 VEHICLES, 2 HAD A FIXED HEIGHT DRIVER SEAT AND THE REMAINING 5 HAD AN ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT DRIVER SEAT. ALL 5 OF THOSE SEATS WERE BROKEN IN THE SAME PLACE THAT MINE WAS. I BELIEVE ONLY ONE OF THE JUNK VEHICLES WAS IN AN ACCIDENT (IF THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU). SINCE MY DISCOVERY I HAVE TALKED TO 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE AS MINE AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AN AUTO COLLISION/BODY SHOP WON'T REPAIR/WELD THE SEAT BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY. *LA
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 1, 2003107,358 milesMN
WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MODULE. *AK *NLM
Seats
Filed Aug 25, 2003MN
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE FROM FRAME, CAUSING SEAT TO SHIFT BACKWARDS. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 9, 2003120,000 milesIL
I CURRENTLY OWN AN 1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, WITH THE 3800 ENGINE, VEHICLE I.D. # [XXX]. FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPERS TEND TO WORK AND NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OBVIOUSLY, THIS CAN BE A SEVERE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND MY MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE WIPER MOTORS AND OR THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE THAT GENERAL MOTORS USED IN MANY OF ITS CAR MODELS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WERE ON RECALL. AND HE TOLD ME TO CHECK WITH GM REGARDING MY VEHICLE. I RECENTLY CONTACTED GM AND GAVE THEM MY CARS VEHICLE I.D. NUMBER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES UP TO A CERTAIN I.D. NUMBER RANGE AND I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE I.D. WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I RECENTLY ASKED MY MECHANIC TO ORDER THE PART TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. HE CAME BACK TO ME AND TOLD ME THERE WAS A BACK ORDER ON THE PART. THERE WERE OVER 150 EXISTING REQUESTS FOR THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE AND IT WOULD BE A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE IT CAME IN. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF REQUESTS FOR THIS PART OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO. WHEN DOES THE AMOUNT OF REQUESTS FOR ONE REPAIR ITEM SHOW THAT THERE IS AN OVERALL DEFECT IN THAT PARTICULAR PART AND REQUIRE THAT THERE BE A TOTAL SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PART ACROSS THE BOARD? WHY AM I, THE CONSUMER, BEARING THE BRUNT OF THIS DEFECT? IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU. [XXX]
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 29, 2003MN
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.*AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jul 24, 2003FL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WITH WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jul 12, 20031 milesPA
I OWN A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT BOUGHT USED IN GOOD SHAPE. I HAVE OWNED IT APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD BOTH HEAD GASKETS SHAVED AND REDONE, THE TRANMSISSION REBUILT 3 TIMES, FOUR WATER PUMPS, A RADIATOR, A FAN, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TOTALLY REBUILT, THE TANK DROPPED, A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH LOCKS AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS. IT IS A TOTAL LEMON. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN TOTALLY REBUILT AND STILL WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 3RD GEAR TO DRIVE OR OVERDRIVE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. SAYS IT MUST BE A FUSE OR WIRE PROBLEM. THIS CAR BREAKS DOWN CONTINUOUSLY FROM THE DAY I GOT IT, I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY INTO IT THAN I HAVE PAID FOR IT, AND STILL, IN FACT, OWE ON IT. PONTIAC DECLARED SOME 1997'S LEMONS, MINE IS MORE A LEMON THAN THEY ARE AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF MINE. CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. HAS BEEN WORKED ON THIS TIME, ON AND OFF FOR A MONTH.*AK
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 7, 2003183,000 milesMI
FRONT DOOR HANDLES BREAKING AND FALLING APART INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CURRENTLY MY PASSENGER DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE LINGAGE COLLAPSED INSIDE THE DOOR. MAKING THE PIECES FROM CAST WASN'T A SMART IDEA. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE PARTS INSIDE THE DOOR TO SELF REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF A REPAIR RUNS OVER $100. ALONG WITH THE TWO FRONT DOORS, MY REAR HATCH HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT IS ALSO MADE OF CAST, COST OF REPAIR IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK
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: Jan 23, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.