1993 Pontiac Trans Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Trans Sport › 1993
These records cover every 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. the transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle IS operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built in) childseat installed next to the power sliding side door.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Improper shoulder belt retraction does not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the door frame pillar trim panel with a redesigned trim panel. Also, a caution label will be applied to the child seat advising the owner not to install the seat to the passenger side of a vehicle with a power sliding side door.
Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: the occupants of these seats will not be able to use the affected belt. in the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are at increased risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are being asked to inspect their vehicles to determine if the suspect retractor exhibits a lockup condition. Based on this inspection, dealers will replace the safety belts if the belt locks up. Replacement of the suspect safety belt will be available to consumers for the life of the vehicle.
Owner complaints
61 complaints2 involved a crash7 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility/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
- Wheels › 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
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Horn · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Visibility › 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…
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 work. upon occasion, the front wipers will not work. they (front wipers) will work if you get out of the vehicle & force them to move, then they will engage. one time, during a heavy downpour, I managed to get them working by turning on the blinkers - otherwise you must get out of the vehicle & manually move them to engage system. the horn also does not work - and never has. the fuel gage IS off by 1/4 tank. the gages will read that I have 1/4 tank of gas left - when in fact, it IS on empty.*ak
- Electrical 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
- Visibility › 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
- Seat 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
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Seat 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…
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
- Visibility › 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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
At speeds of 15 to 25mph the engine will lose all oil pressure until driving straight again. *ak
- Seat 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…
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 effort to correct the problem? I didn't know the extent of this crisis until today, but if I kept driving unsafely, how many others are out there? (i know of several).*ak
- Seat 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…
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 in any other. I do not believe that any of my remaining original belts are trustworthy in a sudden stop or collision, based upon the sudden failures of the first three while simply pulling the belt out of the retractor to fasten it. Spring in retractor fails, leaving all belt length unwound, and thus, the seating position unprotected until the retractor IS replaced. I consider this a serious safety problem, but will be faced with a $700.00 expenditure if I decide to have the dealer replace the current failed belt and the remaining original three that I expect to fail soon. Even though this vehicle was sold in limited quantity, I urge further investigation of this problem, which I suspect affects a large percentage of units still on the road. I plan to appeal again to pontiac in an attempt to get some monetary relief with replacing the currently-failed and remaining three original belts.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front passenger and second row right seat belts fail to retract, consumer requests dealer replace defective part. *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver shoulder belt fails to retract. Inspection revealed that locking. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When driving on highway consumer was alerted that vehicle was on fire underneath the vehicle. Consumer then depressed the brake pedal with no response. Got vehicle to stop and noted that transmission was on fire within the engine compartment. Vehicle was a total loss. Consumer was unawear of the recall. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver shoulder belt failed to retract. inspection revealed that the locking mechanism in the retractor assemble failed, the seat/should belt would not restrain the driver in case of an accident, replacement part IS different from the original part, part IS available for inspection
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front passenger's side seat belt and second row passenger's side seat belt would not retract. van was taken to the dealership. repairs were made at owner's expense. entire seat belt mechanism had to bel replaced for both belts. *ak this vehicle had two previous seat belt recalls. *yh
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Spare tire cable rusted through, causing tire to separate from vehicle.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Sliding door came open intermittently. dealership was aware of this problem. Dealer stated that there were too many miles on vehicle. *ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While the driver was going at 63 mph, the front passenger side tire came off (ohio traffic crash report). Yh
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front passenger side seat belt shoulder harness no longer retracts resulting in the shoulder harness being totally disabled.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
The ABS system failed on two occasions due to faulty speed sensor on the left front wheel. Mjs
- Structure › Body › Door
Outside door handles have broken on the driver side and passenger side doors, cause unknown. *ak *ML
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Rotors have to be turned every 34,600 miles. when applying the brakes, brake pulsation occurs. dealership had inspected brake system and certified that it IS working properly. consumer concerned that severe vibration could lead to loss of control. *ak *ML
- Unknown or other
Most trans sports I see of this age are experiencing the same problem with the clear coat failing on the portion of the roof painted black. cost to fully repair IS $800. since it IS a universal problem on the van, I suggest that it IS a failure by the manufacture to properly paint this part of the vehicle. the non-black part of the van's paint IS just fine.
- Structure › Body › Door
Vehicle sliding door fell off almost causing injury, handle failed and required replacement. *yc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Trnsaxl oil hose separates
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10007559No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, tcc surge, possible p0740, p1870, or 39 after installation of a reman (srta) 4t60/4t60e.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 4051700Unknown
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 51546Intermittent electrical conditions (tighten loose ground nut G105).
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 43039Unknown
- 43036Unknown
- 39817New a/c control assembly.
- 39722Transmission fluid seeps around clamp at transmission oil cooler line.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
- 39075Fuel tank thud/clunk.
- 38073Gradual loss of power/low voltage reading.
- 37936Sliding door rattles.
Every Pontiac Trans Sport model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.