Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 227 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V597000 GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V286000 GM/POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V067000 GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V131000 GM/FMVSS 102 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V072000 GM/WINDSHIELD WIPERS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 51 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 29 complaints
- Steering 25 complaints
- Air Bags 19 complaints
- Structure 17 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 15 complaints
Of the 227 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 227 complaints, owners report 24 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport shows several significant issues, particularly with the engine and transmission. Numerous complaints about engine cooling and power train problems, along with multiple recalls on critical systems like fuel and doors, support a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | common |
| power sliding door | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$900 | common |
| steering rack | 90,000–130,000 miles | $700–$1,500 | occasional |
| brake lines | 70,000–110,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Inspect brakes every 10,000 miles
- Replace timing belt at 90,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Replace spark plugs every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating sign in dashboard
- Strange noises when shifting
- Doors not latching properly
- Vibrations in steering wheel
- Brake fluid leak under vehicle
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.