1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport, 7% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 2 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.
“Seat belts sticking , steering making loud pop noises when turning wheel, transmission shifting very hard from park to reverse on a angle. Now my engine locked up, was hesitating when accelerating.”
NHTSA complaint #10144488, filed 2005-12, 88,000 miles“The doors have an annoying clicking that comes from the automatic door locks. It seems that the system senses the doors to be unlocked and clicks to lock even though the doors are already locked! I am afraid that one day the doors will unlock instead while driving. Also my transmission failed last summer and I was told that the transmission cooler lines were inoperable! Causing the transmission oil to burn and it cost me $3000.00 to replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10144786, filed 2005-12“Tranmission will not hold at idle. When stopped on a grade, you must use both feet - one on the brake, to keep from rolling backward, and one on the accelerator. Dealer/manufacturer claims this is normal, and that it isn't designed to lock up until 2200 RPM. I've never driven an automatic transmission vehicle in my life that acted like this.”
NHTSA complaint #541701, filed 1998-09“I have had an ongoing problem with my brakes and traction control. My brakes wear very quickly and smell hot at times. The dealer has told me on many occasions that there is nothing wrong with them. I have gone through 3 sets of brakes , 5 rotors and 3 calipers in 56,000 hwy miles. My low traction light also comes on at speeds of 68 - 72 MPH. The dealer tells me to replace my tires to rectify this problem. They report 3 other cases of this trac light going on for no reason. …”
NHTSA complaint #718201, filed 2000-02“The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport. While attempting to shift into drive, the contact noticed that the gear shifter would not respond and he was unable to remove it from the park position. The vehicle was not diagnosed and there were no repairs. The current and failure mileages was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10332541, filed 2010-05, 110,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V131000Jun 11, 1998Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a…Covers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1998, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1998, Chevrolet Venture 1998
Related service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
52 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsBrakes
17 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 Nov 1, 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