Pontiac Trans AM Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 121 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Pontiac Trans AM (1984–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 32. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (19 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Trans AM model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 32 | 25,000 | 0 | 52 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 10 | 32,000 | 0 | 47 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 11 | 52,000 | 0 | 42 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 16 | 72,000 | 0 | 8 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 11 | — | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 12 | — | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 5 | 85,300 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 10 | 217,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes19 18%
- Engine cooling17 16%
- Body and structure16 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain15 14%
- Electrical system11 10%
- Seat belts10 9.5%
- Fuel system9 8.6%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)8 7.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1999: “Both of my sun visors have fallen out without the ability to put back in place. There have been several times I have needed these visors to drive safely when the sun is coming up or going down. I feel this could lead to an accident in the future.”
NHTSA complaint #10692368, filed 2015-03, 65,000 miles2000: “Trouble code for bad catlic converters the has been replaces 3 times prior and now there clog for the fourth time? Asking GM to replace as a warrenty issue since the last time was 4 years prior and I was told that the new one would be covered for 10years 100000 miles due to GM warrenty policy. Second than is the car has dropped in gas mileage from 26mpg to about 14 both highway miles. And the last thing is the ignition lock sometimes when I try to start the car the security feathur such the car down due to the anti theft control. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730861, filed 2015-06, 96,000 miles2001: “My door is falling off from the frame of the car. No accidents to the car. The window has had numerous problems. The GM body shop said they just had this same problem last week with another firebird. Gm has offered to pay 15% of the $982.00. I have found out that the doors are glued on all firebirds. I feel this is a major defect from the manufacturer. The problem has not been fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10168702, filed 2006-09, 108,000 milesOther Pontiac models
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1,053 complaintsPontiac Trans Sport
963 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology