20 of the 287 complaints about the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport are about the braking system — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 167,500 miles.
20
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS-ANTI LOCKING BRAKES ARE FAULTY AND LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10443983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10162985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE AIR CONDITIONING MAY HAVE NEVER WORKED, WE HADN'T TRIED IT UNTIL 10 MTHS AFTER BUYING THE VAN. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND WE BROUGHT THE VAN TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE REPAIR WOULD COST 800.00. HE ADDED STOP LEAK, WHICH WORKED TEMPORARILY. THE PROBLEM HAS JUST REOCCURED AND WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VAN SINCE. THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON IN AUGUST, WE HAVE FULL USE OF THE BRAKES, JUST OUR ABS IS NOT WORKING. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS. IN NOVEMBER OF 2001, OUR FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS CROSSING A BUSY HWY. HERE IN WINNIPEG, AND THE VAN JUST DIED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. I PHONED A DEALER IN WINNIPEG (VICKOR CHEV OLDS) AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS, SOMETIMES THE FUEL PUMP WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL MALFUNCTION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE PHONED THE USED CAR DEALER AUTO TOWN IN WINNIPEG THAT WE BOUGHT THE VAN FROM AND THEY FELT AWFUL, AND OFFERED TO COVER THE LABOR IF WE PAID FOR THE PART. THE PART ALONE WAS 400.00
NHTSA complaint #10071320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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 complaint #8015338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAIL TO ACTIVATE WHEN APPLIED DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN MOTOR WHICH CAUSES SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *AK UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY MOTOR PACK,*SLC
NHTSA complaint #8001986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, ALSO, BRAKE LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, WHEN ABS LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED BRAKES LIGHTS BECOME FUNCTIONAL.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEMDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #896973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, ALSO, BRAKE LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, WHEN ABS LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED BRAKES LIGHTS BECOME FUNCTIONAL.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEMDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #896973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A STOP. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE, AFTER A MONTH OF USE, DID NOT PROPERLY REMOVE RAIN WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED AT LEAST 8 TIMES, AND DELEAR COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #877088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL. MY BRAKES WEAR VERY QUICKLY AND SMELL HOT AT TIMES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF BRAKES , 5 ROTORS AND 3 CALIPERS IN 56,000 HWY MILES. MY LOW TRACTION LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT SPEEDS OF 68 - 72 MPH. THE DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE MY TIRES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPORT 3 OTHER CASES OF THIS TRAC LIGHT GOING ON FOR NO REASON. THEY TELL ME IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT KILL CYLINDERS OR PUT ON THE BRAKES ANDER THESE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER IT HAS KILLED THE CYLINDERS - ONCE AT 68 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME AT APPROX 30 MPH. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND FIXED - BOTH THE ABS AND TCS. PUTIING NEW TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROUTE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED; THAT IS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY! PLEASE ADVISE AS I REFUSE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. I AM READY TO CONTACT CONSUMER ADVOCATE GROUPS AND NEWS STATIONS TO WARN ABOUTH THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. HELP ME MAKE GM TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #718201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL. MY BRAKES WEAR VERY QUICKLY AND SMELL HOT AT TIMES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF BRAKES , 5 ROTORS AND 3 CALIPERS IN 56,000 HWY MILES. MY LOW TRACTION LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT SPEEDS OF 68 - 72 MPH. THE DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE MY TIRES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPORT 3 OTHER CASES OF THIS TRAC LIGHT GOING ON FOR NO REASON. THEY TELL ME IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT KILL CYLINDERS OR PUT ON THE BRAKES ANDER THESE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER IT HAS KILLED THE CYLINDERS - ONCE AT 68 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME AT APPROX 30 MPH. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND FIXED - BOTH THE ABS AND TCS. PUTIING NEW TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROUTE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED; THAT IS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY! PLEASE ADVISE AS I REFUSE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. I AM READY TO CONTACT CONSUMER ADVOCATE GROUPS AND NEWS STATIONS TO WARN ABOUTH THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. HELP ME MAKE GM TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #718201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAUSING FLUID LOSS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHATEVER IS NEEDED. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #851739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD SQUEAKING NOISE AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AN NOISE WENT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED, AND BRAKES WERE FINE.SPRING AROUND EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IN THE REAR BRAKES ASSEMBLY ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE LUG BOLTS.
NHTSA complaint #848829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEARD SQUEAKING NOISE AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AN NOISE WENT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. HAD BRAKES INSPECTED, AND BRAKES WERE FINE.SPRING AROUND EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IN THE REAR BRAKES ASSEMBLY ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE LUG BOLTS.
NHTSA complaint #848829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
DEALER STATES TIRES HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED BY THEM AND WHEELS WERE TORQUED TO TIGHT .SOUNDS LIKE SMOKE TO ME MAYBE YOU HAVE A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH YOUR DESIGN!
NHTSA complaint #709462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE AT THE SAME SPEED UNTIL WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE!!!
NHTSA complaint #708558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 15,000 ROTORS TURNED DOWN ALL 4. 2ND TIME VIBRATION FELT @ 23,500 ALL 4 ROTORS TURNED DOWN AGAIN. I'VE REQUESTED NEW ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY, DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY AREN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THEY ARE FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #707560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LIFTERS AND BRAKES MAKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #542432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES HAVE EXCESSIVE POWER WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED. NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS THE PEDAL IS PUSHED MORE THAN HALF WAY. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE BRAKES WERE DESIGNED TO OPERATE THAT WAY.
NHTSA complaint #830270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES. (QCAW)
NHTSA complaint #538162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.