Free Preview
#BS-1998-PONTRA-79E11998 Pontiac Trans Sport
Based on reports from 287 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 287 complaints, 17 crashes, 4 fires, and 6 recalls.
Top reported problems
intake manifold gasket failure
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
head gasket leaks
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
transmission failure
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $1.20
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
23 owners reported exterior lighting:headlights issues — failures commonly reported around 80K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (29 reports) • Median: 80K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Exterior Lighting:headlights (23 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Exterior Lighting:headlights Issues
Exterior Lighting:headlights complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, with 23 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 80,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 80K-mile mark.
Structure:body:door Issues
Structure:body:door complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, with 17 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body:door-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch Issues
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Pontiac Trans Sport is the 1997 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 287 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Pontiac Trans Sport Model Years
View all Pontiac Trans Sport years →1998 Pontiac Trans Sport: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport?
Is the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport problems?
Does the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport have any recalls?
What mileage do Pontiac Trans Sport problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 287 owner reports. Know before you buy.