Model year record

1991 Pontiac Trans Sport recalls & problems

The 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport has 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints36filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 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.

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

1991 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	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureFrame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields	11	1	0	3	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	10	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Foundation components	5	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	4	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	3	1	0	1	—
SteeringLinkages; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	3	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine › Gasoline	2	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	0	1	0	—
Electrical systemWiring	1	0	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 › Underbody shields
OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STOP VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION OWNER NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT OF STRUCTURE HANGING DOWN UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT IS APPARENT THE BOLT PULLED OUT OF FRAME STRUCTURE CAUSING STEERING LOSS AND MOTOR TO HANG DOWN. *TR
Dec 13, 2012
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
THE RECALL TO FIX THE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN ON MY 1991 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE SALT USED ON OUR ROADS THAN SOME OF THE STATES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK
Sep 15, 2004 · 156,000 miles
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
WE OWN A 1991 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ANNOYING PROBLEMS. OUR MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE "STRIKER" FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S DOORS. THE STRIKER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR BECAME LOOSE AND WE WERE ABLE TO "STABLIZE" THE STRIKER WITH A HARDENING CLAY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO USE THE DOOR PERIODICALLY; AND THE STRIKER FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR FELL INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE PANEL, THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO WELD THE STRIKER BACK ON, IT WILL COST ROUGHLY $4,000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS BOTH DOORS. WE ARE USING TEMPORARY MEANS…
Sep 1, 2003
Structure
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CRADLE HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE AND NOT BE SUPPORTED WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Nov 21, 2003 · 150,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
CARRIAGE RETAINER CLIPS RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CARRIAGE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK
Jun 17, 2003
Structure › Frame and members
THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHING BOLT AND WASHER KIT RUSTED IN HALF. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY , PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION . THIS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON!
Sep 8, 2001
Structure › Frame and members
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SUBFRAME DROPPED ABOUT A FOOT PULLING STEERING SHAFT OFF STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING POWER. ALSO, VEHICLE SWERVED TO LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SUBFRAMES BOLTS AND BUSHINGS AT REAR OF SUBFRAME.*AK *SLC
Aug 6, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
THE EXACT DATE OF THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON PASSENGERS SIDE IS UNKNOOWN. THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS 06/17/2001.*AK
Jun 22, 2001

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
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
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