1994 Pontiac Trans Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 98 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated the front driver's and passenger's side seat belts will not retract. There is a NHTSA recall, # 93v212000, 94v10000 and 94v015000, regarding the second, third and fourth row seat belt. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however the recall does not include the front seat belts. The dealer and manufacturer have been alerted.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2006
“Paint is peeling on the top of van. Other transports I have seen have the same problem. Is there a recall on the paint? The paint on the rest of the vehicle is good with no apparent defects. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2005
“Front drivers seat belts on all year (93,94,95,96) chevy lumina,pontiac transport, oldsmobile silhouette. I have owned them all”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“The tire tread (on a tire with 50% usable tread remaining) separated causing approximately $1,500 damage to my vehicle. Bfnt responded to my claim by claiming the separation was due to low tire pressure. They have not provided evidence to back this assertion.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2003
“While driving under rainy conditions, the windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. Consumer was almost hit by another car as a result. *nlm”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2003
“Windshield wiper motor will fail and not properly oscillate unless windshield is very "wet". Problem occurs during light rain.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2003
“Transmission - when you start the van, and put into gear, it takes at least 10-20 seconds before it will engage into forward and reverse. Drivers side seatbelt- would not retract, had to replace, it cost $100.00 replaced 2 altinators, 1 starter and 4 batteries. Had to re-seal intake twice. Lifter tick, donut seal replaced. Vacumm leak repaired. Coolant leak, had to replace head gasket twice. Coolant is leaking again. Door handle, drivers side broke today.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2003
“I own a 1994 pontiac transport, the windshield wipers stop and resume at will, sometimes they are inactive for as long as hours. Twice this almost led to an accident. I understand that in canada there has been a recall and a fix for this problem, how come not in the us? If the same component is being used there will be the same outcome!*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2002
“Spare tire fell off in yard when door closed. Cable rusted out. This could kill someone if it happens on the road!*ak”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 2002
“While driving at 55 mph in 20 degree weather, a transmission line to the cooler failed. Lots of oil on the road and lots of smoke. We pulled over and stopped avoiding a fire. Car was towed to be fixed.broke. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
THE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MAY LOCK-UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON SLOPES OF LESS THAN 15 DEGREES, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR CENTER POSITION ARE MISSING A PAWL SPRING AND IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WILL ALLOW THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING TO EXTEND BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE RETRACTOR IF THE PAWL SPRING IS MISSING.
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 decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 98 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport. The most complained-about area is visibility (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport have open recalls?
4 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.