1999 Pontiac TRANS SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
44,201 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Child Seat: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014253 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION. CORROSION OF RADIATOR CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. NOW IS OVERHEATING CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO CRANKCASE. POTENTIALLY FATAL FOR ENGINE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 44,402 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719406 · 2000-02-28 (February 28, 2000)
THE ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A CLICKING SOUND OR DRUMMING SOUND FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN INTO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASSIONS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT MY VAN IS NOT THE ONLY VAN TO MAKE THIS NOISE, AND THAT SOME VANS HAVE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT. SOMETHING ABOUT THE PISTONS AND WALL CHAMBER. THE VAN HAS ALSO QUITE RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING W/CHILDREN, AND WHEN BRAKING, AN AWFUL LOUD NOISE COMES, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS FALLING APART. I REFUSE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK, AND AM HAVING LOADS OF PROBLEMS D…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154440 · 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT LOCK. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MINOR CHEST INJURIES, THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE MIDDLE ROW DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT CAME UNLOCKED. THIS CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS LEG TO BE CRUSHED, RESULTING IN SURGERY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154440 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | 48.9% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 33.9%ODI 480268DESIGN OF DRIVER'S DOOR RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING STRUCK IN HEAD WHEN OPENING DOOR, CAUSING CUT AND CONCUSSION. *TW | 23.3%ODI 546489VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF ALMOST CAUSING INJURY, HANDLE FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *YC | 88.2% | 1311.5%ODI 10008203 · 100,000 miTHE MOTOR ON THE AUTOMATIC SIDE, SLIDING DOOR HAS BURNED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $1200 PART! THE DOOR IS TOO HEAVY TO USE MANUALLY BY A CHILD, MAKING THE ON,OFF SWITCH RATHER USELESS.*JB | 58.2%ODI 10015364THE VEHICLES SLIDING DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM | 3314.0%ODI 10029467IN OCTOBER 2002 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL 01V264000 REPAIRS CONCERNING POWER SLIDING DOOR. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON 7/14/2003. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR MODULE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE.*AK | 177.5%ODI 10006139THE POWER SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT WORK. THE DRIVER HAS TO TURN THE POWER OFF THAT GOES TO THE DOOR IN ORDER TO KEEP IT SHUT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHUT THE DOOR IT WILL ONLY CLOSE A LITTLE, THEN RE-OPEN. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. *AK *SCC | 110.0%ODI 562656WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT A BENT BRACKET IN THE DOOR MOUNTING WAS THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE DOOR FAILING TO LATCH PROPERLY. NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 511.1%ODI 705405THE PLASTIC COVER HOLDING THE RETRACTING SPRING HAS BECOME DEFORMED ON MORE THAN ONE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. ALLOWING THE SPRING TO DISCONNECT AND THE BELT TO PULL FREE. MORE THEN ONE BELT RETRACTOR SHOWS SIGNS OF DEFORMING AND POSSIBLE FAILURE. I BELIEVE ALL SIX SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS SHOULDBE REPLACED AS A SAFTY EQUIPMENT DEFECT. *AK | 616.7% | 1823.7% | 1727.9% | 66.1%ODI 10122587FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELTS ON ALL YEAR (93,94,95,96) CHEVY LUMINA,PONTIAC TRANSPORT, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. I HAVE OWNED THEM ALL | 65.3%ODI 10080493 · 80,000 miFRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE ON A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AT 80,000 MILES.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 31.3%ODI 756082RECLINE LATCHES - DO NOT PROPERLY RE-ENGAGE. SMALL CHILD CAN EASILY LIFT LATCH WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. UNTIL LATCH IS MANUALLY PUSHED BACK DOWN, SEAT BACK WILL NOT CATCH IN ANY POSITION. SEAT BELT RETRACTOR - WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES ON THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM IN THIS VEHICLE THAT EITHER PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM BEING PULLED OUT FOR USE, OR CAN LEAVE SEAT BELT HANGING OUT OF DOOR. CLOSING DOOR MIGHT DAMAGE BELT OR LATCH. BOTH ISSUES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH GM. GM CLAIMS (FILE # C06088691) NEITHER IS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.8%ODI 965113FRONT HEADLIGHTS VERY DULL; NO REFLECTIONS 10 TO 20 FT AHEAD; DIFFICULT FOR DRIVER TO SEE ROAD. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.0%ODI 882433WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION HEADLIGHT COVER BLEW OFF, CAUSING BLUBS TO EXPOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INOFRMATION.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2711.4%ODI 10062784 · 86,000 miHEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY PLASTIC FALLS OFF EXPOSING BULB TO MOISTURE/RAIN WHICH CAUSES THE BULB TO BURN OUT. THEREFORE, LOSING THE ILLUMINATION OF ONE LAMP AND LIMITING VISABILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.*AK | 2310.1%ODI 10043629 · 70,000 miDEFECTIVE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY- THE LEFT HEADLIGHT LENS CAME OFF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE ALSO KNOW OF THE PROBLEM,BUT SAY THAT NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED TO WARRANT A RECALL. THIS IS BULL. ALSO THE PLASTIC ON THE LENS CRYSTALLIZES,CAUSING REDUCED LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE HEADLAMP.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 12.2%ODI 823238THE DOOR LATCHES DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY. USUALLY CANOT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S CHILD FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE DOOR WAS SHUT OR APPEARED TO BE SHUT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.3%ODI 739734DRIVER'S OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH WON'T WORK. BLACK PAINT IS PEELING OFF ROOF AND I'VE SEEN SEVERAL SAME WAY. WIRING SHORTED UNDER HOOD AND DAMAGED RADIATOR. TREAD CAME OFF TIRE CAUSING $2500 DAMAGE. GENERAL PAID DAMAGE CLAIM AND REPLACED TIRES WITH ME PAYING FOR 1. ( APPROX 20K AND 7-8 YEARS AGO.)( DOT NUMBER: ) | 11.6%ODI 862710SLIDING DOOR CAME OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK | 66.1%ODI 100550491994 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AN INSERT WAS PUT IN WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO REMOVE FUSE FOR TAILLIGHT AND REPLACE. THIS WORKED INITIALLY BUT NO LONGER TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK | 65.3%ODI 10025516 · 183,000 miFRONT DOOR HANDLES BREAKING AND FALLING APART INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CURRENTLY MY PASSENGER DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE LINGAGE COLLAPSED INSIDE THE DOOR. MAKING THE PIECES FROM CAST WASN'T A SMART IDEA. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE PARTS INSIDE THE DOOR TO SELF REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF A REPAIR RUNS OVER $100. ALONG WITH THE TWO FRONT DOORS, MY REAR HATCH HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT IS ALSO MADE OF CAST, COST OF REPAIR IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.… | 23.3%ODI 532786AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR HAS OPENED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES, IT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO CLOSE THE DOOR. | 145.9%ODI 10017532THE VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. DOOR WAS REPAIRED, BUT FAILED TWO MONTHS LATER. *JB | 156.6%ODI 10100050 · 5,262 miWHERE 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 | 110.0%ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24.4%ODI 507239AFTER REPLACEMENT OF DASHBOARD, THE UNIT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY INTO SLOTS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.(CONSUMER IS ATTORNEY). | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.6%ODI 10105912THIS 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… | 22.0%ODI 10069890TRANSMISSION - WHEN YOU START THE VAN, AND PUT INTO GEAR, IT TAKES AT LEAST 10-20 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE INTO FORWARD AND REVERSE. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT- WOULD NOT RETRACT, HAD TO REPLACE, IT COST $100.00 REPLACED 2 ALTINATORS, 1 STARTER AND 4 BATTERIES. HAD TO RE-SEAL INTAKE TWICE. LIFTER TICK, DONUT SEAL REPLACED. VACUMM LEAK REPAIRED. COOLANT LEAK, HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET TWICE. COOLANT IS LEAKING AGAIN. DOOR HANDLE, DRIVERS SIDE BROKE TODAY. | 32.7%ODI 10069629THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, GM NEVER LETS ME KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TODAY THEY HAVE RECALLED THEM AGAIN FOR A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION. VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS THING FIXED! REALLY NEED A NEW CAR NOW. THE GAS GAUGE OR TANK IS EMPTY WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS 1/2 TANK. SIDE DOOR WE UNPLUGGED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE LIGHT STILL SHOWS ON MY DASH AS OPEN. MANY TIMES IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT OPEN. IN A CRASH WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN ANY DOORS IF THE VEHICLE WAS… | 46.6%ODI 10068965AFTER THE 2ND VALVE SPRING BROKE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVES WERE SEIZING UP AND A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED. ALL OF THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE BAD DESIGNED MANIFOLD GASKET THAT CAUSED COOLANT TO GO INTO THE OIL. AFTER SPENDING OVER $1,000 SINCE 4-29-03, I FINALLY HAD TO TRADE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DIDN'T HAVE BETWEEN $4,000 AND $5,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE, WHICH ON A '96 MODEL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WORTH IT. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A USED ENGINE, BUT ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME MANIFOLD GASKET AND THIS WOULD HAVE COST APROXIMATELY $2,000. I'VE HAD NO… | 114.7%ODI 10000858 · 57,841 miDAY BEFORE I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY 97 PONTIAC TRANSPORT REPAIRED FOR A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET I WAS COMING HOME AND THE VAN SHUT DOWN ON ME, LEAVING ME WITH POOR STEERING AND HARDLEY NO BRAKES. AFTER LEAVING IT SIT FOR ABOUT A HOUR IT RESTARTED. I DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND READ ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENIG TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH LEAKING MANIFOLD GASKETS.I CALLED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THE OLDSMOBILE GARAGE THAT TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, … | 167.0%ODI 10007898THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS BEGUN LEAKING. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE. | 220.0%ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 12.2% | 12.8%ODI 979338TURN ON TRUCK TOOK THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF AND TRUCK JUMPED OUT OF PARK POSITION . TT | 11.3%ODI 827143VEHICLE IS ON ITS FOURTH TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME TRANSMISSION WORK IS DONE ON THE VEHICLE THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WORSEN. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. *AK | 58.2%ODI 486504SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS/RADIO/CLOCK/INTERIOR LIGHTS TO FAIL. | 66.1% | 76.2% | 34.9%ODI 523261TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM OVERDRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT 55 MP TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. *AK | 104.2%ODI 10014389 · 65,000 mi1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT TRANSMISSION FAILURE UNDER 70,000 MILES $2,500.00 REPAIR FAULTY INTAKE VALVE GASKET UNDER 70,000 $650.00 REPAIR. *NLM | 62.6%ODI 10144488 · 88,000 miSEAT 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 36.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.3%ODI 10105912THIS 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… | 88.2%ODI 10020078 · 90,000 miWHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AS A RESULT. *NLM | 76.2%ODI 10030083CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WITH WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK | 914.8%ODI 10019537 · 59,538 miTHE 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 *JB | 73.0%ODI 10013865 · 82,000 miI TOOK MY 97 PONTIAC TRANSPORT INTO THE CHRISTENSEN DEALERSHIP AT 2125 N. UNIVERSITY PARKWAY. P.O BOX 1487 , PROVO UTAH 84604 FOR A RECALL ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPER PARKING ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $40.00 TO LOOK AT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE ANOTHER PERSON HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN BEFORE ME AND HAD ALREADY FIXED THE RECALL. IF A RECALL IS PLACED ON A ITEM AND THE DEALERSHIP FIXES THE ITEM WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ITEM SHOULDN'T THEY BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEY GET IT RI… | 20.9%ODI 828510WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID DOES NOT HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED ON. DEALER CONTACTED AND STATED A DESIGN FLAW. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WILL FILE THE INFORMATION. VISION IS NOT CLEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 897847WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 12.2% | 12.8%ODI 807615VEHICLE SMOKING FRONT BRAKES HAD A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKING,MELTED THE HUB CAPS ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO REPLACED CALIPERS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE HAD A COOLANT LEAK. *AK | 11.3%ODI 490586SPRING HOLDING BRAKE SHOES IN PROPER ADJUSTMENT CAME OFF, ALSO PISTONS LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ON PADS, CAUSING BRAKES TO SLIP. *SD | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.0%ODI 837173WHILE DRIVING AND LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE, WHEN DRIVER WAS ABOUT 3 PARKING SPOTS AWAY FROM HER SPOT, SHE SAW SMOKE. AFTER THAT, IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. *AK | 43.5%ODI 708947ADDTL COMMENTS THE SECOND PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE AS I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH A FAULTY MODLED COOLANT HEAD ON IT I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERS HERE AND IN ALASKA AND THEY REPLACED OVER 20-30 OF THESE EVERY MONTH AND IT IS EXSPENSIVE JOB THE DANGER IS RELATED TO OVERHEATING IN THE COLD WEATHER THE HAIRLINE CRACK DOES LEAK LIKE A SEIVE, IN THE WARMER WEATHER THE CRACK SEALS ITSELF UNTIL AGAIN IN A COLDER CLIMATE THAN WAMOO OUT OF THE FAULTY HAIRLINE CRAKC IT COMES AGAIN I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER WHEN RETURNED… | 23.3%ODI 10093745 · 75,000 miVEHICLE STARTED EATING COOLANT, WITHIN 4 DAYS OF COOLANT LEAK HEAD GASKET HAD COMPLETE FAILURE DUMPING CONTENTS OF RADIATOR INTO OIL PAN. UPON EXAM FOUND THAT DEXTROL COOLANT HAD TURNED CORROSIVE AND EATEN THREW GASKET CAUSING FAILURE. REPLACE ALL TOP END GASKETS AND REBUILD TOP END. PRAY THAT LOWER END WILL BE OK ONCE FLUSHED COMPLETELY. HAVE KEPT OLD PARTS FOR FURTHER EXAM. *NM | 104.2%ODI 10013676 · 75,000 miENGINE HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR A YEAR NOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC. THEY TESTED IT AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. STILL OVERHEATING SO THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP. STILL OVERHEATING. PONTIAC STATED IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET AND WANTED $3500.00 TO REPLACE IT. THEY FURTHER STATED THEY WERE NOT SURE THIS WAS THE PROBLEM EITHER. I HAVE ALREADY PAID $500.00 FOR THE PREVIOUS SERVICE. I HAVE READ THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH GM 3.4 LITER ENGINES. *NLM | 156.6%ODI 10021061 · 70,000 mi1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT 3.4 LITER COOLANT LEAKING ENGINE DAMAGE MAJOR EXPENSE ON A VEHICLE W/ 70'000. *NLM | 110.0%ODI 10014253 · 44,402 miTRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION. CORROSION OF RADIATOR CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. NOW IS OVERHEATING CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO CRANKCASE. POTENTIALLY FATAL FOR ENGINE. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 900 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10069942 · 900 miINTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS (UPPER & LOWER) NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT. ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET. COST $900. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Too few reports for a range | 44,402 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10014253 · 44,402 miTRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION. CORROSION OF RADIATOR CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. NOW IS OVERHEATING CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO CRANKCASE. POTENTIALLY FATAL FOR ENGINE. *NLM |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Too few reports for a range | 44,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10061990 · 44,000 miWITH RESPECT TO MY 1999 PONTIAC TRANSPORT VAN, OCTOBER OF 2003 THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. WE ADDED COOLANT AND SOME TYPE OF SEAL INTO THE COOLANT BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL GM MECHANICS THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE HEAD GASKET AND THIS SEAL WOULD HELP TO GET US BY UNTIL WE COULD HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED THE COMPANY WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN (2ND HAND) AND THE VAN WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (OVER BY 4,000 MILES AT THE TIME). I DID PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE PRICED AROUND FOR THE COST … |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2001: 1 complaints · 2003: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling | Child Seat | Electrical System:Wiring | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | Fuel System, Gasoline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB |
| Child Seat | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10065330PROBLEMS 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. *JB | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.