1996 Pontiac Trans sport problems
The Pontiac Trans Sport is a minivan marketed by the Pontiac division of General Motors over two generations for model years 1990-1999 along with GM badge engineered variants, the Chevrolet Lumina APV and Oldsmobile Silhouette.
Introduced a year before the second-generation Chrysler minivans, the Pontiac Trans Sport and its counterparts marked an industry shift in the minivan segment towards adopting the form factor used by Chrysler. The APV vans shared mechanical commonality with the W platform sedans, along with a unique front-wheel drive, transverse-engine chassis.
The Trans Sport was assembled at North Tarrytown Assembly (Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, New York), shifting production to Doraville Assembly (Doraville, Georgia) for its second generation. For the 1998 model year, Pontiac renamed the Trans Sport the Pontiac Montana, after an exterior trim package introduced in 1997.
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Common 1996 Pontiac Trans sport problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Performance:
Complaints have highlighted engine-related problems, such as long or hard starts, rough idle, chugging, and intermittent misfires due to clogged fuel injectors. These issues can impact the vehicle's overall performance and fuel efficiency.
- Cooling System: Overheating and Intake Manifold Gasket Failure:
The 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport has been reported to experience overheating and intake manifold gasket failure. These issues can lead to engine overheating, coolant leaks, and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.
- High Pressure Power Steering Hose Leakage:
Another common problem involves the high-pressure power steering hose leaking fluid. This issue can result in power steering failure, making steering more difficult and affecting the vehicle's handling.
- ABS Light On with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs):
Some owners have reported the ABS light being illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes 46 and 86 set as current or history. This issue can affect the vehicle's braking system, potentially compromising safety on the road.
- Steering: Rack and Pinion Assembly:
Problems with the lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly have been identified. If not addressed, these issues can lead to steering malfunctions, affecting the vehicle's handling and safety.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport highlight various issues affecting different systems of the vehicle. Addressing these concerns promptly through proper maintenance and repairs is crucial to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety on the road.
1996 Pontiac Trans sport car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Trans sport problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Visibility problems
- Steering problems
- Service brakes problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1996 Pontiac Trans sport vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1996 Pontiac Trans sport
The NHTSA has received 62 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1996 Pontiac Trans sport. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1996 Pontiac Trans sport vehicles.
2010-07-21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-06-21
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, MOTOR SEIZED UP AND BEGAN TO SMOKE, MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING SOME TYPE OF FLUID BEHIND. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0409-90)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF
2008-06-06
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
- VIN: 1GMDU06EXTT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT VAN WITH LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERNAL MANIFOLD LEAKED FILLING THE OIL PAN UP WITH WATER WHICH IN TURN FROZE THE MAIN BEARINGS TO THE CRANKSHAFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP AT 50 MPH. HE SENT IN PREVIOUS LETTER ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER NOTICED A SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT WAS INTERNAL NOT EXTERNAL. *JB
2007-10-24
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-10-21
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: WHILE CLOSING THE SIDE DOOR MY GRANDSON'S THUMB WAS CAUGHT IN IT. HE WAS SCREAMING AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY WAY TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE DOOR HAD TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF CLOSING BEFORE IT COULD BE OPENED TO GET HIS THUMB OUT. I THANK GOD IT WAS ONLY HIS THUMB!! *TR
2006-06-03
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-04-20
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: COOLANT MIXING INTO ENGINE OIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET,WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?*JB
2006-01-12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-01-05
- VIN: 1GMDU06E5TT
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS CORRODED THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE SNAPPED AND RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPON INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, THE CABLE SIMPLY CORRODED THEN RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE UNDER PRESSURE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRE. *AK UPDATED 2/13/2006 - *NM
2005-11-17
STEERING,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-06-09
- VIN: 1GMDU06E3TT
- Components: STEERING,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: COMPLAINT #1- WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK IN THE RAIN. DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT # 2- TILT STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. THE WHOLE COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT #3- BLACK PAINT OVER THE CAB FLAKED OFF. *NM
2005-05-26
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-02
- VIN: 1GMDV06R7TT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ACCELERATED TO 85 WHILE SET IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO 65 MPH, IT WOULD ACCELERATE TO 85 MPH ON ITS OWN. *JB
2004-10-07
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE 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
2004-09-15
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-09-15
- VIN: 1GMDU06E0TT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND POWER STEERING GEAR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING AND THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. NOW THE VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THIS OCCURRED ONLY AFTER HAVING IT WORKED ON FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING THE CONSUMER THAT THE DEFECT THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING EXPERIENCED IS NO FAULT OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE FOR THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE CURRENT PROBLEM UNLESS THE OWNER PAYS OUT OF POCKET. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
2004-04-01
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-29
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER QUIT OR DO NOT WORK AT TIMES, IF YOU TURN THEM TO HIGH SPEED THEN USE WASHER FLUID THEY MAY CONTINUE TO WORK. THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER. ONLY KNOWN REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF WIPER MOTOR BY DEALER, "THAT SHOULD FIX IT". DRIVER NEVER KNOWS IF WIPERS WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED. MANY SIMULAR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO YOUR AGENCY! *AK
2004-01-15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-15
- VIN: 1GMDU06E9TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: INTAKE MANIFOLD & GASKET FAILURE - OIL & COOLANT MIXING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT - IMMINENT ENGINE FAILURE FRONT WIPER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION INTERMITENT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING PROBLEM - MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOP/START WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN & SNOW OR SLOPPY HIGHWAY CONDITIONS COMPRESSOR CLUTCH HUB & PULLEY FAILURE
2004-01-15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-15
- VIN: 1GMDU06E5TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.
2004-01-15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1GMDU06E9TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: AFTER 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 NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS AS A RECALL, BUT I GUESS IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THEM TOO.
2003-10-10
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-19
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: INADVERTENT DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURIES. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED THE CONSUMER UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONSUMER HAD RUN OFF THE ROAD AND ENTERED A WOODED AREA AND STRUCK A TREE HEAD-ON. THE DRIVER COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. (LAWYER MICHAEL SHEPHERD ON BEHALF OF CLIENT KAREN WILSON (PER A. JIMENEZ, THIS DOCUMENT IS TO BE TREATED AS A MAILED IN VOQ) *SCC *JB
2003-09-23
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1GMDU06E9TT
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED WORKING. *AK *TS *JB
2003-09-23
STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-25
- VIN: 1GMDU06E9TT
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH NO CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STOPPED A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SPIN AROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AT THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD COME LOOSE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CLOCK SPRING HAD BROKEN. *SCC *JB
2003-08-15
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-30
- VIN: 1GMDU06E0TT
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING OR FAILED TO WORK . *AK
2003-07-11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-02
- VIN: 1GMDU06E6TT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: 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 *JB
2003-06-13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-02-09
- VIN: 1GMDU06E6TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF COOLANT. REPAIR SHOP TOLD US COOLANT WAS BEING SUCKED INTO INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPLACED GASKET AND CONVERTED FROM ORANGE TO GREEN COOLANT. *NLM
2003-05-25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-01
- VIN: 1GMDU06E9TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: COOLANT IN OIL DUE TO MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET..HAD GASKET REPLACED AND IS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM. IN BETWEEN THESE TWO TOWINGS, I HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE SPRING REPLACED BECAUSE IT BROKE. *NLM
2003-04-28
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1GMDU06E5TT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE RACK AND PINION FAILED, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. RECALL # 02 V 286 000. *JB
2003-04-23
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-03-17
- VIN: 1GMDU06E5TT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, EVEN THOUGH A RECALLED WAS ISSUED. THE LOWER PINION BEARING, TIE ROD ENDS AND PRESSURE HOSES WERE REPLACED. MR *TS *JB
2003-04-17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-17
- VIN: 1GMDU06E5TT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. *JB
2003-04-07
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-07
- VIN: PROVIDE
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE VEHICLES SLIDING DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
2003-04-04
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-06
- VIN: 1GMDU06E0TT
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE RACK AND PINION, HOWEVER PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEMS, ALSO THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. *TS *JB
1996 Pontiac Trans sport recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1996 Pontiac Trans sport.
2007-03-12
- Manufacturer: DELPHI
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
2002-11-04
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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