71 of the
1,262 complaints filed about the Pontiac Trans Sport
are about the electrical system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10569261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10442561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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!
NHTSA complaint #10229497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN STARTED ON FIRE, IN DRIVER'S DOOR ORIGINATING FROM POWER WINDOW CONTROLS. PARKED IN DRIVEWAY NEXT TO HOUSE,NOT RUNNING. VAN WAS A COMPLETE LOSS,ONLY VEHICLE WAS ONLY ONE FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10209694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10209044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. UPON OCCASION, THE FRONT WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. THEY (FRONT WIPERS) WILL WORK IF YOU GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE & FORCE THEM TO MOVE, THEN THEY WILL ENGAGE. ONE TIME, DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR, I MANAGED TO GET THEM WORKING BY TURNING ON THE BLINKERS - OTHERWISE YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE & MANUALLY MOVE THEM TO ENGAGE SYSTEM. THE HORN ALSO DOES NOT WORK - AND NEVER HAS. THE FUEL GAGE IS OFF BY 1/4 TANK. THE GAGES WILL READ THAT I HAVE 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT - WHEN IN FACT, IT IS ON EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #10105912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. UPON OCCASION, THE FRONT WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. THEY (FRONT WIPERS) WILL WORK IF YOU GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE & FORCE THEM TO MOVE, THEN THEY WILL ENGAGE. ONE TIME, DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR, I MANAGED TO GET THEM WORKING BY TURNING ON THE BLINKERS - OTHERWISE YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE & MANUALLY MOVE THEM TO ENGAGE SYSTEM. THE HORN ALSO DOES NOT WORK - AND NEVER HAS. THE FUEL GAGE IS OFF BY 1/4 TANK. THE GAGES WILL READ THAT I HAVE 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT - WHEN IN FACT, IT IS ON EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #10105912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10100123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10094756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10065330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10063834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WIRING HARNESS THAT FEEDS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HVAC BLOWER MOTOR AND OTHER THINGS IS MELTING & SHORTING OUT. I FIND WHEN I LOOK IN SALVAGE YARDS FOR THIS ITEM, ALL THE ONES THAT WOULD FIT THIS VEHICLE ARE MELTED IN THE SAME WAY. THEREFORE, THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10054944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK, THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THEM TO WORK. *JB. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN SLOW, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY *PH
NHTSA complaint #10019537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNAL LIGHTS. A FUSE HAD BLOWN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR CONSUMER AND THIS VEHICLE. THE SIGNAL LIGHT FUSE BLOWS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #568233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3RD FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH SINCE PURCHASE, CAUSES INSTRUMENT PANAL TO BE INOPERATIVE, ENGINE WON'T START, AND INVOLVES MALFUNCTION OF ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. EACH TIME TECHS CLAIM CONTACTS TO BE BURNT. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET INFO ON WEB IN REFERANCE TO RECALL ON 1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, NOR INFO FROM NHTSA IN REFERANCE TO RECALL. DT
NHTSA complaint #769527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME "NON-FUNCTIONING" BETWEEN 7/01/97 AND PRESENT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT WORKING, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT SUDDEN STOPS DOES NOT FUNCTION, MAKING EACH SEATBELT IN THIS VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING PASSENGERS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DENIES THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO "OPEN" RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT VERIFY IF THE RECALLS LISTED HAVE IN FACT EVER BEEN COMPLETED. ALTERNATOR:HAVE HAD MAJOR ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO THE ALTERNATOR, LOW VOLTAGE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER, UNSTEADY VOLTAGE METER...HAVE HAD THE FUSEABLE LINK REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #767240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME "NON-FUNCTIONING" BETWEEN 7/01/97 AND PRESENT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT WORKING, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT SUDDEN STOPS DOES NOT FUNCTION, MAKING EACH SEATBELT IN THIS VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING PASSENGERS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DENIES THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO "OPEN" RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT VERIFY IF THE RECALLS LISTED HAVE IN FACT EVER BEEN COMPLETED. ALTERNATOR:HAVE HAD MAJOR ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO THE ALTERNATOR, LOW VOLTAGE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER, UNSTEADY VOLTAGE METER...HAVE HAD THE FUSEABLE LINK REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #767240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND HORN WILL NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF, CAUSING A PASSENGER TO BE LOCKED INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY BYSTANDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8018823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.