1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 23%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,507miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, 23% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,507 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was turning the steering wheel to the left to parallel park next to the curb, then I heard a loud pop noise. When I went to turn the steering wheel to the right it began very hard to turn the wheel. After leaving the store and from that point on every attempt I made to make a right turn, it was extremely difficult. After arriving home I noticed leaking coming from under my van. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130353, filed 2005-07, 124,504 miles“Wife making left turn onto busy road, van would not respond to to turning the wheel. Side impact at 40 mile + from semi. Injuries sustained by wife, broken hip crushed left arm , fractured tail bone and fractured base of skull. Daughter and friend also injured but released with minor injuries. We did not know there was a problem with the van until after the accident. That is when I recieved the recall notice. Nothing could be done at this point because the van had been crushed into a cube of scrap metal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10127406, filed 2005-07, 98,000 miles“At 51000 miles the 3.4l engine had lower intake gasket failure in which the dex-cool anti freeze dumped into the crankcase mixing with the oil. This only had one warning a couple months earlier as the low coolant light came on and I added 1/2 gallon dex-cool with no signs of leakage. Next time it happened was when my wife was taking daughter to school and temp. Light came on. Van was not driven over 2 miles to dealer, as light went out. Dealer said extreme mixture in both crankcase and radiator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070686, filed 2004-01, 39,000 miles“The power steering pressure line malfunctioned, which caused the vehicle to be uncontrollable when driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the cause had not been determined. Please provide additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10048570, filed 2003-11, 51,000 miles“The steering rack failed on my 1997 Pontiac transport approx 14 months after it was recalled and a pinon bearing changed in the rack. The original recall was performed in order to prevent the bearing failure and subsequent locking of the steering rack on left hand turns. The recall failed because the bearing failed ( 14 months after it was changed out). The failure of the steering rack could have caused a severe accident if conditions were right. Fortunatly no persons were injured when the steering locked up”
NHTSA complaint #10125938, filed 2005-06, 79,884 milesRelated recalls
- 02V286000Nov 4, 2002Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped…Covers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1996–1998, Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1998, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1998 +4 more
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
42 complaintsBody and structure
37 complaintsExterior lighting
36 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