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Pontiac Trans SportModel year report

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Problems

Complaints
227filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 67 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns 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
19 mpgcombined, 3.4L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 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 describe coolant disappearing and ending up where it should not be — a failed intake manifold gasket is the single most common theme, sometimes followed by head gasket trouble and engine damage. Headlight lenses coming loose or clouding over, a steering rack that binds or locks, and a power sliding door that fails to latch are also frequently reported, typically from the 60,000-100,000 mile range onward.

  1. Engine cooling

    Intake manifold gasket coolant leak

    • 38 complaints (17%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (25 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $745 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2002–2011

    Owners notice a sweet coolant smell after parking, a low coolant level with no obvious puddle, or a ticking sound from the engine. Diagnosis is usually an intake manifold gasket letting coolant escape, and complaints describe mechanics saying they see many of these on this engine family. Repairs often include a revised gasket and new bolts; some owners report coolant mixing with the oil and later bearing or oil-pressure trouble. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 90,000 miles, with a few cases past 120,000.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the intake manifold; ask whether the intake gasket has been replaced and with which gasket. A coolant smell in the oil or a flickering oil-pressure light is a reason to walk away pending inspection.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Prob #1 - intake leaking - needs intake manifold gastket replacement. Local dealer will not pay for. Prob #2 - I have lost two headlamp lense covers in the past year - dealer said this happens "a lot!, and that it was probably a problem with the adhesive" I had to replace two complete headlamp assemblies totalling over $200.00”

    NHTSA complaint #10071187, filed 2004-01, 69,309 miles

    “My wife was driving home from work. The temp gauge went up and the engine had no power. She pulled overhand parked. After the car cooled down I tried starting it and the temp stayed down so I drove the car to the dealership. I felt all that was wrong was the thermostat stuck. Then I get a call that the head gaskets had failed and that the damage was going to cost me $2400 at least that because of the gasket failure all kinds of damage was done.”

    NHTSA complaint #10112238, filed 2005-02, 90,000 miles
  2. Exterior lighting

    Headlight lens falls off or clouds over

    Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the clear plastic headlight covers coming loose and falling off, sometimes repeatedly, and the remaining lenses yellowing or turning cloudy so light output drops. Complaints say dealers called it a known pattern and quoted complete headlamp assemblies rather than just lenses, and several owners paid for replacements themselves. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 23,000 miles up, often on vans several years old.

    What to check: Inspect both headlamp assemblies for loose or missing lenses and for yellowing; price a pair of complete assemblies into any offer.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Rh headlamp lense fell off. Vehicle never involved in accident. The lense just fell off. Vehicle no longer under warranty. Upon investigating replacement, found out that this is a common problem. No salvage yard has any used available, however they are willing to sell new ones at a price between $100 - $165. I was told that GM wants $250 for the replacement. I also understand that GM is aware of this problem and has done nothing to correct it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10062054, filed 2004-03, 90,000 miles

    “The consumer stated the exterior plastic housing on the front headlights turned yellow. The years of direct sunlight tarnished the clearness of the cover. The manufacturer was contacted and recommended the contact purchase new housings for the headlights.”

    NHTSA complaint #10148019, filed 2006-01, 23,000 miles
  3. Steering

    Steering binds or locks, rack and pinion

    • 22 complaints (10%)
    • median 90,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1998–2006

    Complaints describe a loud pop or thud when turning, resistance or binding during turns, and in some cases the steering wheel locking up and refusing to turn left. Several owners were told the rack and pinion assembly needed replacement, and some mention that recall 02V286000 covered the same symptom but their vehicle was not included by VIN. Spread from about 34,000 to 189,000 miles, with many reports between 70,000 and 110,000.

    Recall 02V286000

    What to check: Turn the wheel slowly left and right with the engine running and listen for pops or binding; ask whether the rack has been replaced and whether the steering recall was completed for this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Steering suddenly went out...... Steering wheel locked up when turn left. Very dangerous condition. We were in non busy area. Found out there is a recall concerning this, however, my van was not covered. Makes no sense. Van is in shop now getting rack and oinion replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10088392, filed 2004-08, 107,000 miles

    “While driving my 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport montana, my steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn to the left, almost causing an accident. When I took the vehicle in for inspection, it was determined that it was a rack and pinion steering gear assembly.”

    NHTSA complaint #10159743, filed 2006-06, 189,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on, deployment concerns

    • 19 complaints (8%)
    • median 121,842 mi at 8.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2013

    Owners describe the airbag warning light staying on or flashing intermittently, sometimes alongside ABS or check-engine lights. Complaints express concern about whether the airbags would deploy; some also report an airbag that did not deploy in a collision, and one reports deployment without an impact. Typically reported on higher-mileage vans, from about 70,000 miles and often past 100,000.

    What to check: Turn the ignition on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-test; a light that stays on points to a fault worth diagnosing before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “(1) we purchased a used 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport and discovered the next day that the air bag light stayed on all the time. (2) we are concerned as to why this light flashes when we turn the ignition on while the diagnostic test proceeds and all other lights go out. The air bag light continues to flash which must indicate something. The air bag light flashes until we start the van and then just stays on but does not flash till the ignition is turned off. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10106391, filed 2005-01, 70,210 miles

    “Air bag light comes on. I'm afraid the air bags won't deploy in case of an accident. I was reading other complains of other owner of the same make and model as my truck.”

    NHTSA complaint #10047474, filed 2003-11, 126,684 miles
  5. Latches, locks and linkages

    Power sliding door fails to latch or open

    • 15 complaints (7%)
    • median 100,200 mi at 8.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2007

    Owners report the passenger-side power sliding door closing without latching, opening while the van is moving, or refusing to unlock or release with the interior handle or keyless entry. Complaints describe dealer repairs involving the actuator, latch and handle, and some say the problem returned after recall work was performed. Mostly reported between about 100,000 and 120,000 miles, though some earlier.

    Recall 01V067000Recall 04V597000

    What to check: Open and close the power door several times, watch for a door that looks shut but does not latch, and ask whether both sliding-door recalls were completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I brought my 1998 Pontiac transport minivan in for recall repair arriving at 7:30 am. My vehicle was returned to me around 9 am and I was told that the work was completed. I pressed the automatic door and it didn't release, so I let someone know. My vehicle was swoshed away and I stood there not really knowing what the person said quickly before jumping in and taking off. I simply stepped back out of his way. Finally, I went back in the waiting room and about an hour later he came in. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10147407, filed 2006-01, 123,520 miles

    “Power sliding door opened while driving. 5-year-old child was in the seat next to the door. This problem had two recalls in 2001. This vehicle's history shows it also had warranty work on this door in 1998. Gm refused to pay for any of the cost of the repair, done on 6/12/06, apparently because it just crossed over 100,000 miles. The dealer replaced the actuator, latch, and handle, at a total charge of $284.20.”

    NHTSA complaint #10160200, filed 2006-06, 100,200 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on coolant loss and oil condition is the most useful step on this model year, since gasket and head gasket work dominates the reports and can lead to engine replacement. Also check the headlamps, steering feel and the power sliding door, and ask for records showing which recalls and gasket repairs have been done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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 227 consumer complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport. 67 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 17 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 24 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 21 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Seat belts (10), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (8), Fuel system (7), Seats (7), Suspension (7), Tires (5), Vehicle speed control (5), Wheels (3), Equipment (2).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Where do I start? Same complaints as all other Pontiac minivan owners. Since original purchase in 1998, headlight assembly faulty, ABS warning light malfunction, air bag warning light malfunction, and malfunctioning (still) passenger automatic sliding door. Recently had head gasket replaced due to antifreeze leak, as well as front left wheel hub. This is the worst (and most costly) vehicle I have owned with respect to maintenance.”

NHTSA complaint #10100050, filed 2004-11, 5,262 miles

Exterior lighting: “Drivers side headlamp fell off - literally just dropped right off of it - I had no idea what it was, sitting at a light, thought it could have been a passing auto - I stopped, looked, thinking it would be the blinker, and kept going- only to find out it was the cover to the head light! This is an ongoing problem, from what we're finding and no junk/salvage yards have any - and they all say the same thing - they're gone before they get there, junk headlamp! These and the grandams! This van has only 50k miles on it! Not like it's got a ton of mileage!”

NHTSA complaint #10060013, filed 2004-02, 50,620 miles

Steering: “During sharp left turns, steering has a certain amount of resistance and a loud thud sound is heard, along with vibration. Symptoms have been intermittent for several years, but are becoming more frequent. Independent repair shop referred us to recall #02v286000. Local Pontiac dealer said our VIN# is not included in the recall although admitting it is likely the same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10096371, filed 2004-10, 34,000 miles

Air bags: “- the contact stated that while driving the 1998 Pontiac transport with 183,000 failure mileage)at 55 MPH the driver's side front tire blew out without any warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle hit a culvert on the left passenger side. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was taken to a local service center, but had not yet been repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #10186264, filed 2007-03, 183,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 67 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 110,000 miles.

1%0–103%10–254%25–5037%50–7516%75–10030%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (67 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’9935’01’03’05’07’10’12’14
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Trans Sport · sedan not rated4 / 3———

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 1998 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Trans Sport 2WD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162319$3,550

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

Recall details for the 1998 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. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 21 bulletins →

Other model years of the Pontiac Trans Sport

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19991044,2012—18—Not enough data
199822780,0005—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199723686,5075—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19966195,5141—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199511387,4303—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19949890,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19936199,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199276100,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199136153,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19904580,0004—18Not 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 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport?

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant disappearing and ending up where it should not be — a failed intake manifold gasket is the single most common theme, sometimes followed by head gasket trouble and engine damage. The issues reported most often: Intake manifold gasket coolant leak; Headlight lens falls off or clouds over; Steering binds or locks, rack and pinion.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport have?

NHTSA recorded 227 consumer complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 52 complaints (23% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 30.

Has the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport (Trans Sport 2WD, 3.4L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport reported?

Among the 67 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 110,000 miles; 9% 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.