Total Complaints
18 filings
PONTIAC TRANS SPORT · model year
1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT
18 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999PONTIACTRANS SPORT carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 1999 TRANS SPORT is structure:body:door with 2 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (2) and child seat (1). 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 1999 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.
18
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20060403CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT*: 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.
Mileage: 57,000
20060403CrashSEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: 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.
Mileage: 57,000
20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS (UPPER & LOWER) NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT. ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET. COST $900.
Mileage: 900
20040402EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040402ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040402VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040402LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040402FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR, HEADLAMP FELL OFF, AUTOMATIC LOCKS/WINDOW AND ETC. *PH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE FUEL MODULATOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
20040312ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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. WE PRICED AROUND FOR THE COST TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPAIRED/REPLACED AND FOUND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND BETWEEN $800 AND $1,000 TO GET IT FIXED. OUR VAN IS NOW SITTING IN A GARAGE BEING TORN APART AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM. PRIOR TO OCTOBER 2003 WE HAD THE COILS CHANGED AND THE #5 PLUG WAS SHOWING A MALFUNCTIONING PROBLEM WHICH WAS SHOWING UP ON THE COMPUTER. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE GARAGE THEY REPLACED THE PLUGS. WE WERE TOLD BY THE MECHANIC WHO IS CURR
Mileage: 44,000
20030410ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION. CORROSION OF RADIATOR CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. NOW IS OVERHEATING CAUSED BY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO CRANKCASE. POTENTIALLY FATAL FOR ENGINE. *NLM
Mileage: 44,402
20020605SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
RETRACTOR MOUNT NOT SECURED TO UPPER PANEL, TOP THREADS INTO PILLAR NOT DONE, INSTALLED MISSING BOLT IN SEAT BELT MOUNT.
20020514STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT A BENT BRACKET IN THE DOOR MOUNTING WAS THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE DOOR FAILING TO LATCH PROPERLY. NLM
20011015STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT A BENT BRACKET IN THE DOOR MOUNTING WAS THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE DOOR FAILING TO LATCH PROPERLY. NLM
20010810SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
WHILE IN DRIVEWAY WAS ADJUSTING FRONT SEAT AND VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING LIKE SMOKE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER SEAT, AND ONE OF THE WIRES WAS COMPLETELY BARE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER DID REPAIRS. BUT, WIRES WERE STILL HANGING FROM UNDER SEAT. *AK
20000228SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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. *AK
20000228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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. *AK
19990709CHILD SEAT
8 PASSENGER VAN, TRIED TO GET 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAR SEATS TO WORK IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS, BUT SEEM UNABLE TO DO SO. THE BUCKLE PART OF THE SEAT BELT SEEMS TO COME OUT TO FAR FROM THE SEAT ALLOWING A LARGE GAP SO THE CHILD SEAT CAN NOT FIT TIGHTLY INTO ANY OF THE 3 SEATS IN THE SECOND ROW. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING A CARSEAT SHOULD NOT MOVE ANYMORE THEN AN INCH AFTER IT IS BUCKLED IN. AND WHEN THE CARSEATS ARE IN. THE BOTTOM CORNER WHERE IT BUCKLES IN, MOVES AROUND QUITE VIGOROUSLY. ALLOWING WAY MORE THE AN INCH OF SLACK.
Compare 1999PONTIACTRANS SPORT to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT have?▼
The 1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT has 18 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT?▼
The most-complained component for the 1999 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT is STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and CHILD SEAT.
Is the 1999 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.