CarModelProblems.com

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body:door — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
236Complaints
6Recalls
9Crashes
2Fires
12Injured
3Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure:body:door (14% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Structure:body:door complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure:body:door33 · 14%not available
Exterior Lighting:headlights28 · 11.9%not available
Steering:rack And Pinion16 · 6.8%RecalledRecall 02V286000
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch14 · 5.9%RecalledRecall 01V264000 · Recall 04V597000 · Recall 01V067000
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System14 · 5.9%RecalledRecall 02V286000
Engine And Engine Cooling11 · 4.7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING:RACK AND PINION16 · 6.8%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH14 · 5.9%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM14 · 5.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 · 4.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION10 · 4.2%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS10 · 4.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM10 · 4.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8 · 3.4%

Percentages are the share of the 236 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 01V264000 · 2001 · reported 08/21/2001

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 04V597000 · 2004 · reported 12/22/2004

IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:rack And Pinion

NHTSA campaign 02V286000 · 2002 · reported 11/04/2002

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 01V067000 · 2001 · reported 03/08/2001

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

NHTSA campaign 98V072000 · 1998 · reported 04/07/1998

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THE POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, FAILING TO CLOSE PROPERLY, OR FAILING TO OPERATE AT…”NHTSA complaint 753466 — filed 10/20/2001 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
“AFTER 17 REPAIR ATTEMPS, ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.”NHTSA complaint 9002637 — filed 05/15/2001 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
“SLIDING DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THREE WEEKS LATER ON APRIL 11TH, SAME THING…”NHTSA complaint 887714 — filed 05/08/2001 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

9199724331999324620013937200344192005772007612011122021

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport?

Structure:body:door issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 236 NHTSA complaints (14%), followed by exterior lighting:headlights (28), steering:rack and pinion (16), latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport have?

236 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01V264000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.