1998 Pontiac Trans Sport

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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Risk. 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 VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

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.

Risk. 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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

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.

Risk. 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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.

Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.

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.

Risk. 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.

AIR. *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES AND SWELLING TO THE RIGHT ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

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

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.

AFTER I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED $350 JOB THE INTAKE GASKET SPRUNG A LEAK. THEREFORE I HAD TO HAVE NOT ONLY THIS REPLACED BUT THE VALVE COVER GASKET AS WELL WHICH COST A TOTAL OF $867. I ALSO HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAY WHICH COST AN ADDITIONAL $30 PER DAY. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE RECOMMENDED DEXCOL COOLANT USED IN THIS MODEL CAR, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, WILL EAT THRU THE GASKET THUS THE LEAK. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RE-CALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND IF I CAN BE COMPENSATED. I AM A HARD WORKING INDIVIDUAL WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLES NOT FORESEEING THIS ISSUE THAT AROSE. PLEASE GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE REGARDING HIS MATTER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT RESPOND AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 110,000.

I HAVE GOODYEAR ASSURANCE CMFTRD 97T 80,000 MILE TIRES ON MY 98 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. THEY HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THEM AND TWO OF THEM STARTED LEAKING AIR OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS WHICH ARE FULL OF DRYROT TYPE CRACKS. TWO TIRE STORES TOLD ME THEY LOOK LIKE DEFECTS. I TOOK THEM BACK TO THE STORE WHERE I BOUGHT THEM AND THE DEPTH WAS GREATER THAN 3/32 OF AN INCH. I AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BOUGHT A FREE REPLACEMENT/ROAD HAZARD CERTIFICATE THAT IS GOOD FOR ONLY THREE YEARS AND THE TIRES ARE NOW FOUR YEARS OLD. BECAUSE OF THE TIRE AGE THEY WANT TO PRORATE THESE UNSAFE TIRES AND CHARGE ME $65.00 @ FOR NEW ONES. WHY IS IT THAT THESE 80,000 MILE TIRES ARE NOT ANY GOOD AFTER 30,000 MILES AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS VAN IS OUR SECOND CAR AND DOES NOT GET DRIVEN ENOUGH TO GET 80,000 MILES IN THE THREE YEARS THAT THE REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE IS GOOD FOR.WHEN I BOUGHT THEM I WAS TOLD THESE WERE ONE OF THE BEST AT THAT TIME AND I WAS SURE TO GET A LOT OF MILES ON THEM. I AM VERY VERY UPSET THAT THESE TIRES HAVE PROVEN TO ME THAT THEY ARE VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE SIDEWALL LEAKS CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND I AM NOT NOW DRIVING THIS VAN BECAUSE I CANNOT TRUST THESE TIRES OR THEIR SAFETY. YEARS AGO, WHILE TRAVELING 700 MILES FROM HOME I HAD A BLOWOUT WITH, A TIRE THAT WAS ONE OF THEM FIRESTONE 500 TIRES. AT 70 MPH MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS AND TO THIS DAY I TAKE TIRE SAFETY VERY SERIOUSLY. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION? I CANNOT JUST G

PONTIAC TRANS SPORT 1998 --EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY EXTREMELY POOR. OWN VEHICLE SINCE 2005. *TR

PAINT ON HOOD OF VAN IS PEELING AND COMING OFF RIGHT DOWN TO THE METAL. I'VE SEEN THE VERY SAME ISSUE ON MANY OTHER VANS LIKE MINE THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS A FACTORY PAINT PROBLEM AND PONTIAC SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO FOURTH GEAR, REGARDLESS IF SHE IS UPSHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JERK DURING ACCELERATION. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, IT BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE OCCURS VERY INCONSISTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

I HAVE A 98 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDE DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN, AND IT WILL ONLY OPEN MANUALLY. THE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED OPENING WITH THE CONTROL ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. *TR

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY IN BETWEEN THE INTAKE AND THE BLOCK. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER DUE TO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CONSUMES A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT WHICH CONTAMINATES THE OIL. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT WITH 183,000 FAILURE MILEAGE)AT 55 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE HIT A CULVERT ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

FAILED HEAD GASKET. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR WITH THE MANUAL CONTROL OR THE KEYLESS ENTRY THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT SPIKED THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND WAS SHUT DOWN. PROBLEM CAUSED BY CRACKED HEAD. REPLACED ENGINE AT 70,000+ - WITH USED ENGINE WITH 30,000 MI. NOW AT 80,000 MI. ENGINE HAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. VAN NOT WORTH ANOTHER ENGINE REPAIR BILL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PLASTIC HEAD CRACKED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING PONTIAC MONTANA POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE. *TS ***NAR*** THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE DOOR WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR BEGAN TO OPEN AND THE CONSUMER'S ELDERLY MOTHER GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE DOOR CONTINUED TO OPEN AND PLACED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON HER ARM. LUCKILY HER ARM WAS ONLY BRUISED/SORE AND NOT BROKEN. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE DOORS MECHANISM BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT AUTOMATICALLY REOPENS IF OBSTRUCTED. *NM UPDATED 12/07/06.*JB

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.

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING. 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT NEXT TO THE DOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAD TWO RECALLS IN 2001. THIS VEHICLE'S HISTORY SHOWS IT ALSO HAD WARRANTY WORK ON THIS DOOR IN 1998. GM REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, DONE ON 6/12/06, APPARENTLY BECAUSE IT JUST CROSSED OVER 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR, LATCH, AND HANDLE, AT A TOTAL CHARGE OF $284.20. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT MONTANA, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T TURN TO THE LEFT, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. *JB

1998 TRANSPORT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE OF THE ENGINE COOLANT. *TS THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC HOUSING ON THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS TURNED YELLOW. THE YEARS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT TARNISHED THE CLEARNESS OF THE COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT PURCHASE NEW HOUSINGS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *JB *AK

ON 12/26/05 I SMELLED COOLANT WHEN EXITING MY VEHICLE. AFTER INVESTIGATING, I FOUND THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HAD THE INTERNAL GASKET REPLACED FOR $575. THE NEXT DAY I SAW THAT IT WAS STILL LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT BACK, AND HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED FOR $166. THE NEXT DAY I SAW IT WAS STILL LEAKING, AND I HAD NO HEAT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THAT IT IS LEAKING AT THE TIMING COVER, AND THE LACK OF HEAT COULD BE DUE TO AN AIR BUBBLE, OR I MAY NEED MY HEATER CORE REPLACED. HE GAVE ME ROUGH ESTIMATES OF $900-$1500 FOR THE LEAK, AND PROBABLY ABOUT $400-600 IF MY HEATER CORE NEEDS REPLACED. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL # 01V067000 CONCERNING THE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING ADDITIONAL INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE LOCAL DEALER. *NM

I BROUGHT MY 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT MINIVAN IN FOR RECALL REPAIR ARRIVING AT 7:30 AM. MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME AROUND 9 AM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. I PRESSED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR AND IT DIDN'T RELEASE, SO I LET SOMEONE KNOW. MY VEHICLE WAS SWOSHED AWAY AND I STOOD THERE NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT THE PERSON SAID QUICKLY BEFORE JUMPING IN AND TAKING OFF. I SIMPLY STEPPED BACK OUT OF HIS WAY. FINALLY, I WENT BACK IN THE WAITING ROOM AND ABOUT AN HOUR LATER HE CAME IN. HE TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT BACK DURING A WEEK DAY WHERE HE WOULD HAVE MORE TIME TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE DOOR HANDLE/LOCK. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST ME $95.00. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT EXCEPT CALL THE PHONE NUMBER ON THE RECALL LETTER. I TRULY FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CHARGE, BECAUSE THE RECALL LETTER CLEARLY STATES TO REPLACE THE EXISITING HANDLE, LOCK, ETC. SO THE DOOR CAN OPEN AND CLOSE AS IT SHOULD. I ASKED TWICE IF HE NEEDED TO SEE THE LETTER AND HE SAID NO BOTH TIMES. *JB

THE DOORS HAVE AN ANNOYING CLICKING THAT COMES FROM THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. IT SEEMS THAT THE SYSTEM SENSES THE DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED AND CLICKS TO LOCK EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS ARE ALREADY LOCKED! I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK INSTEAD WHILE DRIVING. ALSO MY TRANSMISSION FAILED LAST SUMMER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE INOPERABLE! CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION OIL TO BURN AND IT COST ME $3000.00 TO REPLACE. *NM

SEAT BELTS "STICKING", STEERING MAKING LOUD "POP" NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL, TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM PARK TO REVERSE ON A ANGLE. NOW MY ENGINE LOCKED UP, WAS HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB

STABILIZER BAR BROKE ON DRIVERS SIDE WHILE ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARS THAT IT HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND BROKE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ABOUT TO BREAK IN THE SAME MATTER. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. *JB

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A PONTIAC, 1998 MODEL TRANS SPORT MINIVAN. WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE SIDE DOORS OPENED WITHOUT NOTICE WHEN PRESSED THE BUTTON WAS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS MATTER. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS OFFICE COULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE SEATS SHAKE WHEN DRIVING.*AK

INTAKE GASKET LEAKING AND REPLACED IN JANUARY 2005 AT A COST OF OVER $600. CAM SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF IN APRIL 2005 RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT - COST OF $3400. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY GM AND ANYONE THAT HAS HAD THIS OCCUR REIMBURSED.

VAN STOPPED SUDDENLY ON EXPRESSWAY. DEALER TOWED IT AWAY AND DIAGNOSED PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT CAM SHAFT WAS SEIZED OR BROKE. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE OK. CAR HAD NO LEAKS . FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. FOUND THAT VAN WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY OWNER. QUOTED NEW ENGINE COST OF $4693. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. A MECHANIC CAME TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE CAM SHAFT TO SEIZE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE TEMP GAUGE WENT UP AND THE ENGINE HAD NO POWER. SHE PULLED OVERHAND PARKED. AFTER THE CAR COOLED DOWN I TRIED STARTING IT AND THE TEMP STAYED DOWN SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FELT ALL THAT WAS WRONG WAS THE THERMOSTAT STUCK. THEN I GET A CALL THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD FAILED AND THAT THE DAMAGE WAS GOING TO COST ME $2400 AT LEAST THAT BECAUSE OF THE GASKET FAILURE ALL KINDS OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. *JB

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LOW SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE EFFORT. *AK ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT IT WOULD JUMP BACK TO THE LEFT CASING A SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE'S DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET, VALVES, AND LIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY 65 MPH, I TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SET IT FOR 65 MPH. AFTER A MINUTE, I NOTICED I WAS GOING 75, THEN 85. GOING UP HILL THE VEHICLE WAS NOW APPROACHING 95 MPH. I TRIED TOUCHING THE BRAKE, BUT THAT DID NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL VIA THE SWITCH AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND BRAKED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS ROARING AT FULL SPEED. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT INTO PARK. WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I THEN TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED A LONGER TIME. THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED. THEY TOLD ME AT THE SHOP THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. IT IS PRESENTLY DISCONNECTED. THIS IS A BAD MODE OF FAILURE. I SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TOUCHING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE IS: 98/PONTIAC/TRANS SPORT/4DR SE EXT WG MONTANA VAN. VEHICLE ID # [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

(1) WE PURCHASED A USED 1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT AND DISCOVERED THE NEXT DAY THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. (2) WE ARE CONCERNED AS TO WHY THIS LIGHT FLASHES WHEN WE TURN THE IGNITION ON WHILE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROCEEDS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS GO OUT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH WHICH MUST INDICATE SOMETHING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES UNTIL WE START THE VAN AND THEN JUST STAYS ON BUT DOES NOT FLASH TILL THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. WE ARE MOST CONCERNED WHAT THIS LIGHT MEANS TO THE SAFETY OF DRIVING AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING CORRECTLY. KENNY ROSS PERFORMS AN ADVERTISED 130 POINT SAFETY CHECK WHICH THEY SHOW THE CUSTOMER THAT INDICATES WHAT WAS FOUND AND THE REPAIRS THEY PERFORMED. WE WOULD ASSUME THAT AIR BAG PROBLEMS WOULD BE POINTED OUT IF THE DEALER CHECKED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE AUTOS THAT THEY SELL. THIS DEALERSHIP HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION AND IS WHY WE FELT SAFE DEALING WITH THEM. (3) THE VAN WAS PURCHASED "AS IS" AND THE SALESMAN DENNIS MILLER HAS YET TO RESPOND TO OUR EMAILS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *NM

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS IN MY 1998 MONTANA. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS 2 TIMES ON THE RIGHT, AND ONCE ON THE LEFT. THE FRONT LENS ON THE LIGHTS SEEM TO JUST FALL OFF. THESE PARTS ARE $100 OR MORE. WHY ARE THE POORLY ASSEMBLED AND HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS?*AK

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW OPENS BUT WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE GLASS WILL NOT GO UP STRAIGHT. THE AUTOMATIC REAR WINDOWS WILL OPEN SEPARATELY OR NOT AT ALL. ONCE OPEN IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GET THEM TO CLOSE. *AK

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

WHERE DO I START? SAME COMPLAINTS AS ALL OTHER PONTIAC MINIVAN OWNERS. SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 1998, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAULTY, ABS WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AND MALFUNCTIONING (STILL) PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR. RECENTLY HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE LEAK, AS WELL AS FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB. THIS IS THE WORST (AND MOST COSTLY) VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED WITH RESPECT TO MAINTENANCE.*AK

HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED TWICE. CURRENTLY, BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $150.00 FOR EACH FOR HEADLIGHT.

DURING SHARP LEFT TURNS, STEERING HAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE AND A LOUD THUD SOUND IS HEARD, ALONG WITH VIBRATION. SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REFERRED US TO RECALL #02V286000. LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER SAID OUR VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH ADMITTING IT IS LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

RE: COMPLAINT OF UNSATISFACTORY TRANSACTION. *BF THE STEERING LOCKED WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A LEFT TURN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 200 VEHICLE OUT OF THE RANGE RECALL.(RECALL#02V286000). *JB

STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT...... STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN TURN LEFT. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. WE WERE IN NON BUSY AREA. FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL CONCERNING THIS, HOWEVER, MY VAN WAS NOT COVERED. MAKES NO SENSE. VAN IS IN SHOP NOW GETTING RACK AND OINION REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE LOST POWER COMPLETELY STALLING OUT. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED AND COOLANT MIXED IN WITH THE ENGINE OIL. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS ENGINE. *AK