1993 Pontiac Trans Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 61filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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 1993 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, especially shoulder belts in the front and rear rows that stop retracting and hang loose. A smaller set of complaints describes transmission fluid lines that leak or rupture, wiper and power-window failures, and brakes that lock up or pulsate. Several complaints describe the belt problem as recurring after a repair, and most sampled reports do not include a mileage figure.
- Seat belts
Seat belts that will not retract or lock
- 24 complaints (39%)
- typically at 5.2 yrs old
- filed 1995–2002
Complaints describe shoulder and lap belts, in the front rows and in the second and third rows, that will not pull out or will not retract, leaving the shoulder portion slack or unusable. Owners say some belts lock up entirely once wound in. A number report repeat failures across several belts on the same van, and say dealers quoted replacement cost or declined to treat it as a recall item; a few mention recall notices that were said not to apply to their vehicle's VIN. Most reports do not include mileage; the failures are described as appearing on vans many years old, sometimes more than once on the same vehicle.
Recall 94V100000Recall 94V027000
What to check: Buckle and release every belt in all rows and pull each one fully out and let it retract; a belt that hangs slack or stays locked is a repair item. Ask whether the recall work described in 94V100000 and 94V027000 was completed, and keep the VIN check in writing.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Nhtsa# 94 v 027 000/seat belt lap rear: consumer states that the dealer, long Pontiac in chattanooga, tn. Phone# 423/756-4501 refused to honor the recall notice. Dealer states that the vehicle VIN# was not covered. *mrthe seat belt locked up and it will not retract. Dealer still will not honor the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #8020174, filed 2002-10“Driver shoulder belt failed to retract. Inspection revealed that the locking mechanism in the retractor assemble failed, the seat/should belt would not restrain the driver in case of an accident, replacement part is different from the original part, part is available for inspection”
NHTSA complaint #554585, filed 2000-09 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission fluid line leak or rupture
- 5 complaints (8%)
- typically at 6.3 yrs old
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2000
Complaints describe automatic transmission fluid leaking or spraying near the engine or wheel well, in some cases with smoke and fire underneath the vehicle while driving. Owners report the cooler line as the source and say they were told their VIN was not covered by the related campaign. Other complaints describe hesitating or slipping transmission behavior rather than a leak. Reported across a wide age range, in some cases at highway speed; several owners mention cold-weather or loaded driving conditions.
What to check: Look for fluid residue or dampness on the transmission cooler lines and around the radiator, and check whether 96V015000 was performed. Ask a mechanic to inspect the cooler line fittings before long trips with a loaded van.
An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When driving on highway consumer was alerted that vehicle was on fire underneath the vehicle. Consumer then depressed the brake pedal with no response. Got vehicle to stop and noted that transmission was on fire within the engine compartment. Vehicle was a total loss. Consumer was unawear of the recall. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #871273, filed 2000-09
Buying note. On a van this old, the belts are the item most owners write about, so check every belt by hand before buying and confirm whether the two belt campaigns were done. Also inspect the transmission cooler lines for leaks and test the wipers, brakes and power windows, since those failures show up repeatedly in the complaints.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 31 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 61 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 7 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 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 belts26 43%
- Electrical system6 9.8%
- Brakes5 8.2%
- Engine cooling5 8.2%
- Fuel system3 4.9%
- Other or unknown3 4.9%
- Wheels3 4.9%
Also reported: Body and structure (2), Air bags (1), Equipment (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Front passenger's side seat belt and second row passenger's side seat belt would not retract. Van was taken to the dealership. Repairs were made at owner's expense. Entire seat belt mechanism had to bel replaced for both belts. This vehicle had two previous seat belt recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #869883, filed 2000-09Transmission and drivetrain: “I have contacted the dealer, the manufacturor, and your department, all say there is a recall but my VIN isnt one of them. I have all the things matching from your site recall data as matching. I feel that I am being given the run around by Pontiac. Thank you in advance for your help.”
NHTSA complaint #707426, filed 1999-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Windshield wipers intermittently quit while in use. This has been occuring since purchasing the van in 1998. Other gmc vehicles have been recalled for this problem back to 1994. Numerous times I have to pull over during a storm because of the failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10032781, filed 2003-08, 100,000 milesElectrical system: “This 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 work & this vehicle will now stall a min. Of 5x each way. …”
NHTSA complaint #10105912, filed 2005-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 98,000 and 100,000 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 1993 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 1993 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 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
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.
- 94V100000May 24, 1994Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1993–1994, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1993–1994, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1993–1994
The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the 1994…
- 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 1993 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 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport?
Owners of this model year most often write about seat belts, especially shoulder belts in the front and rear rows that stop retracting and hang loose. The issues reported most often: Seat belts that will not retract or lock; Transmission fluid line leak or rupture.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 26 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1993 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 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,000 miles and the middle half falls between 98,000 and 100,000 miles; 0% 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.