1996 Pontiac TRANS SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
95,514 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 40 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 8; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 14; 2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011649 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE RACK AND PINION, HOWEVER PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEMS, ALSO THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015866 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, EVEN THOUGH A RECALLED WAS ISSUED. THE LOWER PINION BEARING, TIE ROD ENDS AND PRESSURE HOSES WERE REPLACED. MR *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019537 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK, THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THEM TO WORK. *JB. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN SLOW, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 59,538 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732232 · 2000-09-22 (September 22, 2000)
A HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS FAILURE CREATED SUCH HEAT THAT MANY OF THE WIRES WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS ACTUALLY MELTED. THUS CAUSING SEVERAL OF THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL, INCLUDING THE TAILLIGHTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE ELECTRICAL SIDE DOOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071336 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
INTAKE MANIFOLD & GASKET FAILURE - OIL & COOLANT MIXING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT - IMMINENT ENGINE FAILURE FRONT WIPER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION INTERMITENT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING PROBLEM - MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOP/START WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN & SNOW OR SLOPPY HIGHWAY CONDITIONS COMPRESSOR CLUTCH HUB & PULLEY FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725292 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
IF CONSTANT CARE (AND COST) IS NOT PAID TO THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTERS, THE FRONT CALIPERS APPLY GREATER PRESSURE TO THE FRONT ROTORS, CAUSING WARPING!!!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725292 at NHTSA ↗