1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT Problems & Recalls

1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, MOTOR SEIZED UP AND BEGAN TO SMOKE, MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING SOME TYPE OF FLUID BEHIND. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0409-90)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 ...

1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT VAN WITH LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERNAL MANIFOLD LEAKED FILLING THE OIL PAN UP WITH WATER WHICH IN TURN FROZE THE MAIN BEARINGS TO THE CRANKSHAFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP AT 50 MPH. HE SENT IN PREVIOUS LETTER ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON...

WHILE CLOSING THE SIDE DOOR MY GRANDSON'S THUMB WAS CAUGHT IN IT. HE WAS SCREAMING AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY WAY TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE DOOR HAD TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF CLOSING BEFORE IT COULD BE OPENED TO GET HIS THUMB OUT. I THANK GOD IT WAS ONLY HIS THUMB!! *TR

COOLANT MIXING INTO ENGINE OIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET,WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?*JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS CORRODED THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE SNAPPED AND RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPON INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, THE CABLE SIMPLY CORRODED THEN RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE UNDER PRESSURE OF THE WE...

Mileage: 127,900

COMPLAINT #1- WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK IN THE RAIN. DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT # 2- TILT STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. THE WHOLE COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT #3- BLACK PAINT OVER THE CAB FLAKED OFF. *NM

Mileage: 160,000

COMPLAINT #1- WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK IN THE RAIN. DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT # 2- TILT STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. THE WHOLE COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT #3- BLACK PAINT OVER THE CAB FLAKED OFF. *NM

Mileage: 160,000

COMPLAINT #1- WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK IN THE RAIN. DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT # 2- TILT STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. THE WHOLE COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMPLAINT #3- BLACK PAINT OVER THE CAB FLAKED OFF. *NM

Mileage: 160,000

1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ACCELERATED TO 85 WHILE SET IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO 65 MPH, IT WOULD ACCELERATE TO 85 MPH ON ITS OWN. *JB

VEHICLE STARTED EATING COOLANT, WITHIN 4 DAYS OF COOLANT LEAK HEAD GASKET HAD COMPLETE FAILURE DUMPING CONTENTS OF RADIATOR INTO OIL PAN. UPON EXAM FOUND THAT DEXTROL COOLANT HAD TURNED CORROSIVE AND EATEN THREW GASKET CAUSING FAILURE. REPLACE ALL TOP END GASKETS AND REBUILD TOP END. PRAY THAT LOWE...

Mileage: 75,000

THE OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND POWER STEERING GEAR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING AND THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. NOW THE VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THIS OCCURRED ONLY AFTER HAVING IT WORKED ON FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS TEL...

Mileage: 113,950

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER QUIT OR DO NOT WORK AT TIMES, IF YOU TURN THEM TO HIGH SPEED THEN USE WASHER FLUID THEY MAY CONTINUE TO WORK. THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER. ONLY KNOWN REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF WIPER MOTOR BY DEALER, "THAT SHOULD FIX IT". DRIVER NEVER KNOWS IF WIPERS WILL WORK...

Mileage: 57,000

AFTER THE 2ND VALVE SPRING BROKE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVES WERE SEIZING UP AND A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED. ALL OF THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE BAD DESIGNED MANIFOLD GASKET THAT CAUSED COOLANT TO GO INTO THE OIL. AFTER SPENDING OVER $1,000 SINCE 4-29-03, I FINALLY HAD TO TRADE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE...

FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.

Mileage: 115,000

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 S...

Mileage: 88,000

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 S...

Mileage: 88,000

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 S...

Mileage: 88,000

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 S...

Mileage: 88,000

INADVERTENT DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURIES. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED THE CONSUMER UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONSUMER HAD RUN OFF THE ROAD AND ENTERED A WOODED AREA AND STRUCK A TREE HEAD-ON. THE DRIVER COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. (LAWY...

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED WORKING. *AK *TS *JB

WHILE TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH NO CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STOPPED A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SPIN AROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AT THE BASE OF THE STE...

Mileage: 193,690

WHILE TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH NO CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STOPPED A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SPIN AROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AT THE BASE OF THE STE...

Mileage: 193,690

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING OR FAILED TO WORK . *AK

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 REPLAC...

Mileage: 59,538

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 REPLAC...

Mileage: 59,538

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 REPLAC...

Mileage: 59,538

EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF COOLANT. REPAIR SHOP TOLD US COOLANT WAS BEING SUCKED INTO INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPLACED GASKET AND CONVERTED FROM ORANGE TO GREEN COOLANT. *NLM

Mileage: 96,000

COOLANT IN OIL DUE TO MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET..HAD GASKET REPLACED AND IS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM. IN BETWEEN THESE TWO TOWINGS, I HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE SPRING REPLACED BECAUSE IT BROKE. *NLM

Mileage: 96,500

THE RACK AND PINION FAILED, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. RECALL # 02 V 286 000. *JB

Mileage: 90,000

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

Mileage: 58,000

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

Mileage: 58,000

FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. *JB

Mileage: 115,000

THE VEHICLES SLIDING DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

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

Mileage: 95,028

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

Mileage: 95,028

DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ON 1996 PONTIAC 3.4 LITER ENGINE 79,000 MILES. GASKET LEAKS ENGINE COOLANT INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. COOLANT CAN MIX WITH ENGINE OIL, CONTAMINATING OIL, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHILCLE. COOLANT CAN LEAK FROM ENGINE, CAUSING ENGIN...

Mileage: 78,500

VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DO TO THE VEHICLE VIBRATING SO HARD. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDS REPLACING. PH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK THE FRONT WINDSHILED WIPER MOTOR IS FAULTY. *MJ

SLIDING DOOR WILL RATTLE WHEN LOCKED, AND AT TIMES WILL OPEN WITHOUT ANY ONE TRYING TO OPEN IT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

I GOT INTO OUR 1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT FOR A QUICK ERRAND. AS I REACHED BACK OVER MY HEAD TO PULL UP THE HEADREST, THERE WAS A *POP* BEHIND ME AND THE ENTIRE SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS, COMPLETELY FLAT BACK ONTO THE SEAT BEHIND. FORTUNATELY I WAS STILL IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. MY OWN ...

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY TIRE STARTED GOING FLAT. AFTER TAKING IT OFF, THE CORDS ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE WERE SHOWING. THESE TIRES WERE ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD.( DOT NUMBER: )

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 O...

TURN INDICATOR (IN HALF)BROKE WHILE SIGNALLING FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN WHERE THE HANDLE JUTS AT AN ANGLE IN THE MIDDLE; CAN NO LONGER GET THE HIGH BEAMS TO TURN ON;THE WIRE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HANGS/ CAN'T GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO TURN OFF-IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES-THEY MIGHT TURN OFF IN THE MIDDL...

TURN INDICATOR (IN HALF)BROKE WHILE SIGNALLING FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN WHERE THE HANDLE JUTS AT AN ANGLE IN THE MIDDLE; CAN NO LONGER GET THE HIGH BEAMS TO TURN ON;THE WIRE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HANGS/ CAN'T GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO TURN OFF-IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES-THEY MIGHT TURN OFF IN THE MIDDL...

TURN INDICATOR (IN HALF)BROKE WHILE SIGNALLING FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN WHERE THE HANDLE JUTS AT AN ANGLE IN THE MIDDLE; CAN NO LONGER GET THE HIGH BEAMS TO TURN ON;THE WIRE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HANGS/ CAN'T GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO TURN OFF-IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES-THEY MIGHT TURN OFF IN THE MIDDL...

WHILE IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE AND IN "DRIVE" POSITION, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REV UP AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER TURNED WHEEL TO KEEP FROM THE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. BUT VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATED. DRIVER HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN THE "PARK" POSITION, A...

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

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

NO SUMMARY LIKSTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER WON'T WORK OR QUIT WITHOUT WARNING. EASIEST SOLUTION IS TO APPLY RAIN-X TO WINDSHIELD. UNABLE TO DEPEND ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *AK

HORN IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION DUE TO THE AIR BAG. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE ,CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISUED ON VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USED DURING RAIN, THEY WOULD CUT OFF. WOULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE HAZARDOUS DRIVING & POOR VISIBILITY. HAS HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT, AND THE STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT, AND THE STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER'S ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. MECHANIC SAID PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, BLOCKING VIEW AND WILL NOT MOVE NO MATTER WHICH MODE OF OPERATION DRIVER SWITCHES TO. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

RIGHT REAR SLIDING DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN.

GENERAL AMERI-TECH 205/70R/15 TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVELY, BELTS BREAK AND THE TREAD SEPARATES. (QCAW)

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR HAS OPENED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES, IT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO CLOSE THE DOOR.

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DOOR HAS OPENED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING; LAST TIME WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WHILE CROSSING A BRIDGE.

CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE LARGE SPRING BROKE OFF, CAUSING BRAKES TO FADE AND DRUM CYLINDER AND SHOES TO FAIL.

TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKING PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT 2 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PRIOR TO THE FIRST ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

HORN BUTTON IS LOCATED UNDER THE COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG. THE BUTTON IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND REQUIRES FIRM PRESSURE AT A PRECISE LOCATION TO BLOW THE HORN. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHEN THE HORN IS NEEDED, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LOCATE IT. *AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM OVERDRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT 55 MP TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. *AK

VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR WHILE IGNITION WAS OFF AND FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE. *AK

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG DURING ACCIDENT.

FRONT BUCKET SEATS COLLAPSED UPON IMPACT.

TRANSMISSION FAILED

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP. *AK

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR LEAKS, WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR IT DOES NOT CLICK OVER. TOOK DEALER AND THEY SAY IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED ENGINE SURGING, THEN HEARD PUFF SOUND, SUDDENLY SMOKE CAME OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.*AK

HORN IS LOCATED IN BAD SPOT, HAVE TO PUSH VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE. *AK