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1993 Pontiac Trans Sport: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 61 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (41% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1996

3
recalls
61
owner complaints
7
fire reports
99,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 99,000 mi)Weak spot: seat belts (41%)7 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Seat Belts41% · 24 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)10% · 6 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)9% · 5 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)9% · 5 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)7% · 4 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)7% · 4 complaints
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. *trOwner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jan 2013
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*bfOwner report · Wheels · Jul 2010
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. *akOwner report · Electrical System · Sep 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
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. *jgOwner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2002
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 inspectionOwner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2000
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. *yhOwner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2000
Front passenger side seat belt shoulder harness no longer retracts resulting in the shoulder harness being totally disabled.Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 1999
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 *mlOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 1999
Vehicle fire started on freeway while driving at 65mph, entire vehicle was consumed by fire within six minutes after driver observed smoke.Owner report · Power Train · Apr 1999
I have contacted the dealer, the manufacturor, and your department, all say there is a recall but my "VIN" isnt one of them. I have all the things matching from your site recall data as matching. I feel that I am being given the run around by pontiac. Thank you in advance for your help. *akOwner report · Power Train · Feb 1999

When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING94V100000 · May 1994

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. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.

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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES96V015000 · Jan 1996

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER94V027000 · Jan 1994

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.

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.

How other years compare

Check your exact Trans Sport by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?

NHTSA has 61 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport. The most complained-about area is seat belts (41% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,000 miles or less.

Does the 1993 Pontiac Trans Sport have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.