1992 Pontiac Trans Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 76filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about seat belts that will not retract, followed by brake problems in which the pedal feels odd or travels toward the floor. Reports span a wide mileage range, from vehicles around 15,000 miles to ones past 120,000, and many describe gradual wear on belts, hoses and seat hardware rather than a single sudden event.
- Brakes
Brake pedal sinks or brakes fade
- 18 complaints (24%)
- median 120,000 mi at 14.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2008
Owners describe the brake pedal feeling firm and then dropping almost to the floor, longer stopping distances, and in some cases a brake warning light. Several complaints trace the loss of braking to a deteriorated or ruptured front brake hose, with fluid leaking and only the rear brakes left to stop the vehicle. Others describe pedal vibration or intermittent failure to engage that a dealer could not reproduce or diagnose. Reports appear from moderate mileage up to about 120,000 miles, often described as developing gradually before the pedal goes down.
What to check: Inspect the rubber brake hoses at the front struts for cracking, swelling or rubbing, check the fluid level, and ask when the hoses and fluid were last replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I am ase certified in brakes steering and suspension. My 1992 Pontiac transport has developed numerous problems. One ( brakes will fail to engage for no apparent reason with vibration in the pedal. Does not do this all the time only frequently. And two. It also will violently start shuttering at speeds of 40 to 60 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10221360, filed 2008-03, 120,000 miles“Brake hoses mounted to the strut, stretched and broke. Consumer states that since the brake hoses are mounted to the struts, they take a lot of abuse from rough roads, pot holes, etc, eventually the brake hoses can not take the stress and break causing brake failure.”
NHTSA complaint #986231, filed 1996-06 - Seat belts
Seat belts will not retract or lock
- 23 complaints (30%)
- median 80,000 mi at 11.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2004
Complaints describe shoulder and lap belts in the front, second and third rows that stay pulled out and hang loose instead of winding back into the retractor, so the belt does not fit snugly. Some owners say belts will not lock when the brakes are applied, and several report the problem returning after a dealer repair or after one or more retractors were replaced. A few note their vehicle had rear belt work done under a recall and the problem came back later. Miles are mostly unreported; where given, one owner describes replacing several retractors between roughly 60,000 and 80,000 miles.
What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it go; it should retract smoothly and lock when tugged. Ask whether rear belt recall 94V027000 was performed and whether any retractors have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have had to replace 4 of the 6 seat belt retractors since july of 2000. The failure mode is the retractor spring breaking or pulling out of seatbelt mounting shaft. Each replacement retractor costs $130. Replacement parts look like they will fail in the same manner, very poor design.”
NHTSA complaint #10069296, filed 2004-01, 80,000 miles“Vehicle was repaired under a recall on the rear lap restraint system. Two years after repairs were made. The rear lap belts will not lock when brakes are applied. The dealer has been notified. (94v-027).”
NHTSA complaint #819935, filed 1998-01 - Seats
Driver or passenger seat frame and seatback break
- 6 complaints (8%)
- typically at 4.8 yrs old
- filed 1996–2000
Complaints describe the metal pins or brackets holding the driver's seat to the floor breaking, or the seatback letting go so the seat rocks backward and forward while driving. Owners say this made the seat move unexpectedly and affected control of the vehicle, and in some cases the seat or seat frame had to be replaced. Another owner reports front head restraints that will not stay up. Mileage is rarely given; the reports describe failures during ordinary driving rather than at a particular mileage.
What to check: Rock the driver's seat and seatback firmly by hand and check the mounting bolts and floor brackets for cracks or looseness; also check that the head restraints hold their position.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Metal part under driver's seat that holds the seat up and moves the seat forward/backward, broke while driving which caused driver's seat to move unexpectedly, and could cause a crash. Had to replace seat twice.”
NHTSA complaint #874971, filed 2000-11“Driver's side seatback broke, causing instability while driving the vehicle, and the seat will move backward and forward which could cause the consumer to have an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #832842, filed 1998-12
Buying note. On a vehicle this old, the belts, brake hoses and seat mountings are the items most worth checking in person, since owners describe wear-related failures rather than a single recurring defect. Ask for service records covering belt retractors, brake hoses and any recall work, and budget for replacing aged rubber parts.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 76 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport. 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts25 33%
- Brakes23 30%
- Electrical system6 7.9%
- Seats6 7.9%
- Body and structure6 7.9%
- Tires3 4.0%
- Engine cooling2 2.6%
- Steering2 2.6%
Also reported: Suspension (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Seat belts: seat belts in the second and third row of vehicle will not retract. There was a recall on seat belts but his vehicle was not in the reacll , but driver is having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #812940, filed 1997-06Brakes: “Going 35mph when brakes were applied. Made chattering sound as if brakes working, but vehicle took a while to stop. Abs brake light came on. Took to dealer & was informed light not on & there is nothing wrong with ABS brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #821809, filed 1998-03Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Heater housing connection cracks and causes loss of antifreeze and the windshield to steam up. Manufacturer switch from a aluminum housing to steel in current models.”
NHTSA complaint #537471, filed 1998-06Electrical system: “The wiring harness that feeds the windshield wipers, HVAC blower motor and other things is melting & shorting out. I find when I look in salvage yards for this item, all the ones that would fit this vehicle are melted in the same way. Therefore, this must be a manufacturers defect and should be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10054944, filed 2004-01Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans Sport · sedan | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans Sport 2WD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Trans Sport 2WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 96V015000Jan 23, 1996Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and linesCovers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1992–1995, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1992–1995, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1992–1995 +5 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
- 94V027000Jan 4, 1994Seat belts › Rear/otherCovers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1992–1993, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1992–1993, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1992–1993
Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Recall details for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Pontiac Trans Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10 | 44,201 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 227 | 80,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 236 | 86,507 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 61 | 95,514 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 113 | 87,430 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 98 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 61 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 76 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 36 | 153,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 45 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Pontiac Trans Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport?
Owners of this model year most often write about seat belts that will not retract, followed by brake problems in which the pedal feels odd or travels toward the floor. The issues reported most often: Brake pedal sinks or brakes fade; Seat belts will not retract or lock; Driver or passenger seat frame and seatback break.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 76 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 25 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 23.
Has the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport (Trans Sport 2WD, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 120,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.