PONTIAC TRANS SPORT · model year

1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT

77 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993PONTIACTRANS SPORT carries 77 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 12 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 TRANS SPORT is seat belts:front:retractor with 18 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (5) and seat belts:front:webbing (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1993 TRANS SPORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

77
Complaints
6
Crashes
12
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

77 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES3
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20130605VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20100901WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, LOST RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FROM HUB. WHEEL STRUCK FRONT FENDER CAUSING DAMAGE. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB STRUCK THE PAVEMENT. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, ONE LUG STUD INTACT WAS BENT ON THE HUB. FOUR STUDS WERE SHEARED OR BROKEN OFF. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0476-90)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

20050107CrashFireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT W

20050107CrashFireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT W

20050107CrashFireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT W

20050107CrashFireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT W

20050107CrashFireVISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND WOULD GO INTO A "SUPER IDLE" WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO NEARLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION AT A STOP. OW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 10 MILES TO WORK & THIS VEHICLE WILL NOW STALL A MIN. OF 5X EACH WAY. I EXPERIENCE POWER DRAIN, THE BATTERY INDICATOR WILL SHOOT UP TO BETWEEN 18 + 15, LIGHTS WILL DIM, HEATER WILL GO OUT, & VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER WORKED. WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-CHARGE, BUT HAS STILL NEVER OPERATED. THE WINDOW CONTROLLERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 2X AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1X. THE REAR WIPER'S SOLVENT SYSTEM DOES NOT W

20040930FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

20030813VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WHILE IN USE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE PURCHASING THE VAN IN 1998. OTHER GMC VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK TO 1994. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE TO PULL OVER DURING A STORM BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 100,000

20021004SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

NHTSA# 94 V 027 000/SEAT BELT LAP REAR: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, LONG PONTIAC IN CHATTANOOGA, TN. PHONE# 423/756-4501 REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL NOTICE. DEALER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS NOT COVERED. *MRTHE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND IT WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER STILL WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *JG

20020920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

SEAT BELTS:EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME "NON-FUNCTIONING" BETWEEN 7/01/97 AND PRESENT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT WORKING, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT SUDDEN STOPS DOES NOT FUNCTION, MAKING EACH SEATBELT IN THIS VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING PASSENGERS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DENIES THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO "OPEN" RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT VERIFY IF THE RECALLS LISTED HAVE IN FACT EVER BEEN COMPLETED. ALTERNATOR:HAVE HAD MAJOR ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO THE ALTERNATOR, LOW VOLTAGE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER, UNSTEADY VOLTAGE METER...HAVE HAD THE FUSEABLE LINK REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.*AK

20020920SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS:EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME "NON-FUNCTIONING" BETWEEN 7/01/97 AND PRESENT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT WORKING, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT SUDDEN STOPS DOES NOT FUNCTION, MAKING EACH SEATBELT IN THIS VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING PASSENGERS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DENIES THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO "OPEN" RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT VERIFY IF THE RECALLS LISTED HAVE IN FACT EVER BEEN COMPLETED. ALTERNATOR:HAVE HAD MAJOR ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO THE ALTERNATOR, LOW VOLTAGE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER, UNSTEADY VOLTAGE METER...HAVE HAD THE FUSEABLE LINK REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.*AK

20020920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

SEAT BELTS:EVERY SEAT BELT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME "NON-FUNCTIONING" BETWEEN 7/01/97 AND PRESENT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NOT WORKING, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT SUDDEN STOPS DOES NOT FUNCTION, MAKING EACH SEATBELT IN THIS VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING PASSENGERS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DENIES THEY HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE ARE NO "OPEN" RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT VERIFY IF THE RECALLS LISTED HAVE IN FACT EVER BEEN COMPLETED. ALTERNATOR:HAVE HAD MAJOR ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO THE ALTERNATOR, LOW VOLTAGE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER, UNSTEADY VOLTAGE METER...HAVE HAD THE FUSEABLE LINK REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.*AK

20020516VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN ON ITS OWN, SECONDS LATER SMOKE STARTED SEEPING OUT OF THE CONTROLS.*JB

20011016ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25MPH THE ENGINE WILL LOSE ALL OIL PRESSURE UNTIL DRIVING STRAIGHT AGAIN. *AK

20010822SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

MOST DISTURBING IS GM REFUSAL TO ADMIT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT WHICH SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY $350 + LABOUR COST WHEN IT IS SO OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART? DEALER EVEN LIED TO ME, CLAIMING THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A SEATBELT RECALL ON TRANS SPORT VANS, WHEN I HAD THE RECALL NOTICE IN FILE AT HOME! I HAVE OWNED A FORD MUSTANG FOR 9 YEARS WITHOUT SEATBELT PROBLEM, FOLLOWED BY A CAMARO FOR 16 YEARS WITHOUT SEATBELT PROBLEMS. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VAN, SO IT'S NOT LIKE THERE ARE TOO MANY FOLKS ADJUSTING IT... RETRACTOR IS OBVOIUSLY POOR QUALITY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, SO EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY LIFE IS AT RISK. GUESS GM DOESN'T CARE ABOUT MY LIFE ANY MORE THAN FORD CARED ABOUT DRIVERS OF EXPLORERS. IS THERE SOME REASON, WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS POSTED ON NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT TRANS SPORT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILURE, THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN EFF

20010131SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THIRD SUDDEN FAILURE OF BELT RETRACTOR WITHIN 18 MONTHS OUT OF SIX ORIGINAL ASSEMBLIES IN VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED UPON ALL 3 OCCURRENCES, QUOTED COST OF REPLACEMENT. DEALER INDICATED THAT NO SERVICE BULLETINS, SPECIAL WARRANTIES, OR RECALLS APPLIED TO THIS OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLE. OPTED TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY ON FIRST TWO OCCURRENCES, AND REPLACED MYSELF. UPON THIRD (MOST-RECENT) FAILURE OF YET ANOTHER ORIGINAL RETRACTOR, DECIDED TO CONSULT NHTSA WEB SITE. FOUND NO OFFICIAL OPEN CASE, BUT MANY REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE THROUGH THE 1995 MODEL YEAR. CONTACTED DEALER AND PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHO APOLOGIZED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. DISCOVERED WHEN OBTAINING PRICE QUOTE FOR PART THAT THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DISCONTINUED IN 1995, REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGN AND PART NUMBER. FIND THIS LOGICAL, AS THE COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA DROP DRAMATICALLY DURING AND SINCE 1995. HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES NEW AND USED IN MY LIFETIME, AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH SAFETY BELTS

20001101SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

FRONT PASSENGER AND SECOND ROW RIGHT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT, CONSUMER REQUESTS DEALER REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. *SLC

20001002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER SHOULDER BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT LOCKING. *AK

20001002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER SHOULDER BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT LOCKING. *AK

Compare 1993PONTIACTRANS SPORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT have?
The 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT has 77 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 12 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT?
The most-complained component for the 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING.
Is the 1993 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.