1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 13%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,404miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, 13% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,404 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“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. This can be seen just by the number of complaints showing up in this website.this could be a serious problem if the light(s) failed at night. …”
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 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
52 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsAir bags
21 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