Model year record

1990 Pontiac Trans Sport recalls & problems

The 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport has 4 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (18 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints45filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureApr 8, 1997

Structure

Recall 97V058000676,535 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

StructureJan 28, 1992

Body

Recall 92V01200095,897 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsMar 15, 1991

Front › Anchorage

Recall 91V046000400 vehicles

Problem: A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Risk: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
Fix: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.

SeatsOct 2, 1989

Seats

Recall 89V164000343 vehicles

Problem: THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
Fix: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Pontiac Trans Sport.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Trans Sport 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	18	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	11	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	8	0	—
Unknown or other	5	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield	5	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	4	0	—
SteeringLinkages	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	2	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE ENGINE CRADLE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO RUST. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING LINKAGE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT TURNING AROUND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CONTACTED GM, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Oct 28, 2005 · 80,000 miles
Structure
IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #97016 OR ALLDATA # 97VO58000: MY REAR CRADLE BOLTS WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE SERVICE STATION THAT INFORMED ME THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL AND I NEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THEM AND RECEIVED NO HELP(THEY TOLD ME THEY HADN'T HEARD OF A RECALL FOR IT) AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO PONTIAC. I CALLED PONTIAC AND TOLD THEM THE SITUATION. THE LADY I SPOKE WITH INFORMED ME THAT "TECHNICALLY, MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN NY" BUT SHE WOULD NEED TO GET THE REGIONAL GUYS APPROVAL BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN AND WOULD CALL ME BACK IN 2-3 DAYS. SHE CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT TAKING…
Jun 3, 2001
Seats
MOUNTING BOLT FOR DRIVER'S SEATBACK SHEARED OFF, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE. I HAVE THE DAMAGED BOLT AND WILL PROVIDE IF REQUESTED.*AK
Apr 10, 2001
Structure › Frame and members
FRONT END WAS WOBBLING IN STEERING. CONSUMER HAD AN ALIGNMENT SHOP TO ALIGN VEHICLE, BUT AS THE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE, HE SAW SUBFRAME ON RIGHT SIDE WAS RUSTED. BEFORE CONFIRMING WORK, CONSUMER CONTACTED PONTIAC TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS WERE ON VEHICLE. PONTIAC WAS POLITE IN SAYING THAT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY AND NO RECALL. ALIGNMENT SHOP REPLACED ENTIRE FRONT SUBFRAME , LEFT SIDE WAS LIKE NEW.*AK *SLC
Apr 6, 2001
Seat belts › Front
SEATBELTS IN FRONT SEATS HAVE GONE LOOSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NTSA SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH. SEATBELTS ARE MANDATORY IN MANY STATES INCLUDING MINE. PONTIAC REFUSES TO REPAIR AS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A HAZARD AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT BREAK, ESPECIALLY THE 2 FRONT SEATBELTS. *AK
Jan 2, 2001
Unknown or other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Jul 25, 2000
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WHEN EVER. VERY VERY DANGEROUS. 3 REPLACEMENT PARTS TO NO AVAIL.
Mar 9, 1995
Visibility › Windshield
NO ACCIDENT, I BOUGHT FROM BACH MOTORS, A USED VAN, 1990, 140,000 MILES, MANY FAULTS, DID NOT REALIZE. WINDSHIELD WITH TWO CRACKS, BROKEN LATCH ON DRIVER'S DOOR, BROKEN SEAT BELT, DRIVERS SIDE, ONE CYLINDER FAULTY, STRUTS WEAK ALL AROUND, AND BRAKES WEAK
Oct 4, 1999

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 00V189000
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONOpenLed to recall 97V058000
ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
RQ99002 · opened Mar 4, 1999
CRADLE BOLT FAILURESOpenLed to recall 97V058000
There is no summary currently available
RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEClosedLed to recall 99I003000
ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT
EA97019 · opened Sep 30, 1997 · closed Jun 8, 1999
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEClosed
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.
PE97016 · opened Apr 7, 1997 · closed Sep 30, 1997
ALLEGED ENGINE SUBFRAME MOUNT/INSULATORClosedLed to recall 97V058000
ALLEGED FAILURES OF ENGINE FRAME INSULATORS/MOUNTS TO UNIBODY FRAME MAY ALLOW SEPARATION OF ENGINE SUBFRAME, RESULTING IN COMPROMISE OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION.
PE96065 · opened Nov 15, 1996 · closed Apr 8, 1997
APV FUEL LINE FIRESClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92035 · opened Oct 30, 1992 · closed Nov 30, 1993
APV FIRESClosed
APV FIRES
DP92012 · opened Jun 9, 1992 · closed Jun 25, 1992
APV FUEL LINE FIRESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92052 · opened Jun 4, 1992 · closed Oct 30, 1992