1999 Pontiac Trans Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 44,201miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.4L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and brakes (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,201 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine cooling5 50%
- Seat belts2 20%
- Brakes1 10%
- Electrical system1 10%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Seats1 10%
- Body and structure1 10%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “With respect to my 1999 Pontiac transport van, october of 2003 the engine started overheating and we discovered that the coolant was low. We added coolant and some type of seal into the coolant because we were told by several GM mechanics that it was probably the head gasket and this seal would help to get us by until we could have it fixed. I called the company where I purchased the van (2nd hand) and the van was no longer under warranty (over by 4,000 miles at the time). I did purchase the extended warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10061990, filed 2004-03, 44,000 milesSeat belts: “The contact stated while traveling 40 MPH, the vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. When this occurred, the front driver side seatbelt shoulder strap did not lock. The driver hit the steering wheel causing minor chest injuries, then the airbag deployed. Also, the middle row driver side seatbelt came unlocked. This caused the occupants leg to be crushed, resulting in surgery. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and inspected by the manufacturer, but it was determined not to be a defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10154440, filed 2006-04, 57,000 milesBrakes: “The engine has been making a clicking sound or drumming sound for quite a while now. I have taken the van into the dealer on a number of occassions. I have since learned that my van is not the only van to make this noise, and that some vans have had the engine replaced because of it. Something about the pistons and wall chamber. The van has also quite running while I was driving w/children, and when braking, an awful loud noise comes, sounds like the car is falling apart. I refuse to take the vehicle back, and am having loads of problems dealing with this.”
NHTSA complaint #719406, filed 2000-02Electrical system: “Problems with the sliding door, headlamp fell off, automatic locks/window and etc. The consumer believed the vehicle has a coolant leak. The fuel modulator and spark plugs were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10065330, filed 2004-03Mileage when problems were reported
75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 44,402 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans Sport/Montana 2WD | 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
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
- 04V597000Dec 22, 2004Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1997–1999, Chevrolet Venture 1997–2005, Pontiac Montana 1997–2005 +1 more
On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
- 02V027000Jan 25, 2002Air bags › FrontalCovers: Pontiac Trans Sport 1999, Montana 1999, Grand Prix 1999
On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the driver's air bag inflator modules could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased internal pressure can cause the inflator…
Recall details for the 1999 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. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10168979Nov 22, 2019Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10166638Sep 18, 2019Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876Sep 5, 2019Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10154641Feb 15, 2019Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381May 31, 2018Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017Fuel system, Tires, Equipment, Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10138060Mar 15, 2017Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
Other model years of the Pontiac Trans Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10 | 44,201 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 227 | 80,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 236 | 86,507 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 61 | 95,514 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 113 | 87,430 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 98 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 61 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 76 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 36 | 153,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 45 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Pontiac Trans Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.
Has the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport (Trans Sport/Montana 2WD, 3.4L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,201 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 44,402 miles; 75% 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. 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.