1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 15%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,423miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, 15% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,423 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife's 1997 Pontiac transport mini-van has the plastic headlight lenses, that are now yellow and cloudy, and nighttime visibility is so poor that she doesn't drive at night unless she has to. Also my 2000 nissan frontier truck is succumbing to the same problem, but it is not as severe yet. I have tried high-output zenon, bluelight, and ultra white bulbs but the yellowing/cloudy plastic lenses greatly reduces the performance qualities of these bulbs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218001, filed 2008-02, 92,846 miles“Headlight assembly plastic falls off exposing bulb to moisture/rain which causes the bulb to burn out. Therefore, losing the illumination of one lamp and limiting visability while driving at night.”
NHTSA complaint #10062784, filed 2004-03, 86,000 miles“Front head lights have always had moisture. At certain times of the year they have contained 1-3 inches of water. Pontiac refused to correct problem. The past month both lens covers have fallen off while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10018456, filed 2003-05, 35,000 miles“The lens cap fell off of the front light headlight. They will not replace it. It is a definite defect. I have to pay $200 for a whole new light. They should make a lens cover. Pontiac claims that they have not gotten many complaints about this but when I called one salvage yard he told me that he alone gets 10 calls a week on this part!!!”
NHTSA complaint #766675, filed 2002-09“Driver side headlight missing. The headlight was in place in the a.m. In the afternoon, after arriving at a friends home, I noticed the headlight was missing. This is the third time I have had to replace a headlight at my expense. I am the original owner of this vehicle. It's never been involved in a wreck. I see absolutely no reason why a sealed headlight should fall apart in this manner. The replacement is over 200 dollars. I believe the manufacture should replace this unit at their expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10075205, filed 2004-06Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
54 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsBody and structure
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology