1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 9%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,842miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, 9% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,842 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“(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. We are most concerned what this light means to the safety of driving and the air bags deploying correctly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106391, filed 2005-01, 70,210 miles“- 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“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport. The contact stated that when accelerating from a complete stop, the front passenger's side air bag deployed inadvertently and without any impact to the vehicle. The driver sustained minor bruises and swelling to the right arm. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10514028, filed 2013-05, 117,000 milesAir bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
52 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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