IllustrationBOTH, NOT JUST ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS CASINGS POPPED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM. WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. *AK
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Trans Sport years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trans Sport years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 58 of 236 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
42 reportsI HAVE OWNED MY PONTIAC TRANSPORT 2 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE DRIVEN IT 17,000 MILES. IT HAS 78,500 MILES AT PRESENT. FOR MOST OF THAT TIME THE ADD COOLANT LIGHT HAS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MY PONTIAC DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED A $900 REPAIR TO REPLACE A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. IN CONVERSING WITH OTHER GM OWNERS, I HAVE LEA…
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I HAVE OWNED MY PONTIAC TRANSPORT 2 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE DRIVEN IT 17,000 MILES. IT HAS 78,500 MILES AT PRESENT. FOR MOST OF THAT TIME THE ADD COOLANT LIGHT HAS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MY PONTIAC DEALER TELLS ME THAT I NEED A $900 REPAIR TO REPLACE A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. IN CONVERSING WITH OTHER GM OWNERS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM POSSIBLY DUE TO THE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE WHICH GM SAYS SHOULD LAST 150,000 MILES. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURES. E G ARMENTROUT. *JB
COOLANT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON OVER A YEAR AGO. TOOK THE VAN TO BOB NEIL PONTIAC IN WINSTON-SALEM NC. THEY CHECKED IT OUT BUT SAID THEY COULD FIND NO REASON. HAD BEEN CHECKING AND ADDING COOLANT REGULARLY. PROBLEM HAD INCREASED AND HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN IN MARCH 2003 WHILE THE VAN WAS IN FOR A RECALL NOTICE. THIS TIME THEY TOLD …
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COOLANT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON OVER A YEAR AGO. TOOK THE VAN TO BOB NEIL PONTIAC IN WINSTON-SALEM NC. THEY CHECKED IT OUT BUT SAID THEY COULD FIND NO REASON. HAD BEEN CHECKING AND ADDING COOLANT REGULARLY. PROBLEM HAD INCREASED AND HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN IN MARCH 2003 WHILE THE VAN WAS IN FOR A RECALL NOTICE. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600.00 + TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VAN HAS STARTED HAVING SUDDEN SWINGS IN THERMOSTAT READINGS AND USING OVER A QUART OF COOLANT A WEEK. I HAVE READ OF OTHERS COMPLAINING ON THIS SITE OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WORSE. I ALSO REVIEWED NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS FROM PONTIAC REGARDING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. WHY WOULD GM NOT OFFER TO HELP CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IF THEY KNOW ABOUT IT?*AK
MY 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ONLY HAS 54000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS GONE UP ON IT. AFTER LOOKING INTO IT I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS AND TRUCKS WITH A 3.4L ENGINE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN TO THE GASKET. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS VAN DOING ALL MAINTENANCE ON SCHEDULE. GM WILL D…
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MY 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT ONLY HAS 54000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS GONE UP ON IT. AFTER LOOKING INTO IT I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS AND TRUCKS WITH A 3.4L ENGINE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN TO THE GASKET. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS VAN DOING ALL MAINTENANCE ON SCHEDULE. GM WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING. THEY HAVE EVEN ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO DEALERS ON HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM QUICKLY (TSB#02-06-01-014). WHEN THE GASKET GOES THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE OR STALLING MAKING IT HARD TO STEER AND BREAK. *JB
VEHICLE: 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, VIN [XXX], 96,634 MI. ENGINE DEVELOPED SEVERE KNOCK AND STRONG SMELL OF COOLANT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FRANKLIN PONTIAC GMC IN FRANKLIN, TN AND WAS TOLD THE INTAKE GASKETS HAD FAILED AND CONTAMINATED OIL, AND THAT THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF LIFTERS, PUSHRODS, INTA…
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VEHICLE: 1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, VIN [XXX], 96,634 MI. ENGINE DEVELOPED SEVERE KNOCK AND STRONG SMELL OF COOLANT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FRANKLIN PONTIAC GMC IN FRANKLIN, TN AND WAS TOLD THE INTAKE GASKETS HAD FAILED AND CONTAMINATED OIL, AND THAT THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF LIFTERS, PUSHRODS, INTAKE GASKETS, OIL AND COOLANT ON JAN. 17, 2003 FOR COST OF APPX. $1,100. REPLACED WATER PUMP ON OCT. 18, 2002 FOR COST OF APPX. $250. LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WITH FAINT SMELL OF COOLANT, AND I FILLED UP RADIATOR RESERVOIR WITH DEXCOOL THINKING IT WAS A NORMAL EVAPORATION THROUGH RESERVOIR CAP. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED OF MANY OTHER SIMILAR INTAKE GASKET PROBLEMS ON GM VEHICLES, AND AM WORRIED ABOUT ANOTHER GASKET FAILURE AS WELL AS WHAT UNKNOWN DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO MY ENGINE'S BEARINGS. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPERIENCED A LEAK. *JB
ENGINE HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR A YEAR NOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC. THEY TESTED IT AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. STILL OVERHEATING SO THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP. STILL OVERHEATING. PONTIAC STATED IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET AND WANTED $3500.00 TO REPLACE IT. THEY FURTHER STATED THEY WERE NOT SURE THIS WA…
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ENGINE HAS BEEN OVERHEATING FOR A YEAR NOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO PONTIAC. THEY TESTED IT AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. STILL OVERHEATING SO THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP. STILL OVERHEATING. PONTIAC STATED IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET AND WANTED $3500.00 TO REPLACE IT. THEY FURTHER STATED THEY WERE NOT SURE THIS WAS THE PROBLEM EITHER. I HAVE ALREADY PAID $500.00 FOR THE PREVIOUS SERVICE. I HAVE READ THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH GM 3.4 LITER ENGINES. *NLM
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *JB
MY WIFE AND I ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT WITH 71,000 MILES. SINCE ABOUT 65,000 MILES, IT SEEMED TO VERY SLOWLY LOSE COOLANT, BUT WE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS GOING. AT 70,000 MILES, A "WHITE MILKY SLUDGE LIKE JELLY MATERIAL" APPEARED IN THE ENGINE, AND RIGHT AWAY I KNEW WE HAD A PROBLEM. THIS VE…
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MY WIFE AND I ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT WITH 71,000 MILES. SINCE ABOUT 65,000 MILES, IT SEEMED TO VERY SLOWLY LOSE COOLANT, BUT WE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS GOING. AT 70,000 MILES, A "WHITE MILKY SLUDGE LIKE JELLY MATERIAL" APPEARED IN THE ENGINE, AND RIGHT AWAY I KNEW WE HAD A PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUS MAINTAINED, SO IMMEDIATELY I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER AND INFORMED THEM THAT WE HAD COOLANT LEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO MIX IN WITH THE OIL. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE GASKET AND FLUSH OUT THE MOTOR ALL TO THE TUNE OF $731.00. CALLING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE THEY "DENIED" ANY PROBLEMS, AND THEY SAID SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. COME TO FIND OUT THAT A LOT OF OTHERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ISSUES WITH GM. I AM HOPING THAT OUR PROBLEMS WAS CAUGHT IN TIME AS IT SEEMS LIKE MANY FOLKS ARE WORSE OFF. I KNOW THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD ACROSS MANY GM VEHICLES, MODELS, AND ENGINES, I THINK THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME/ALL OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GASKET DEFECT/SERVICE ISSUE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP OUT?? *JB
DAY BEFORE I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY 97 PONTIAC TRANSPORT REPAIRED FOR A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET I WAS COMING HOME AND THE VAN SHUT DOWN ON ME, LEAVING ME WITH POOR STEERING AND HARDLEY NO BRAKES. AFTER LEAVING IT SIT FOR ABOUT A HOUR IT RESTARTED. I DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND READ ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENIG TO…
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DAY BEFORE I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY 97 PONTIAC TRANSPORT REPAIRED FOR A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET I WAS COMING HOME AND THE VAN SHUT DOWN ON ME, LEAVING ME WITH POOR STEERING AND HARDLEY NO BRAKES. AFTER LEAVING IT SIT FOR ABOUT A HOUR IT RESTARTED. I DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND READ ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENIG TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH LEAKING MANIFOLD GASKETS.I CALLED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THE OLDSMOBILE GARAGE THAT TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, THAT THE GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN PEOPLE OR CARS NEAR ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. FOR GM TO SIT AND LIE TO ME THAT THERES NOTHING WRONG AND THEN I SEE PETITIONS WITH AROND 1350 PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, SOMETHING HAD BETTER BE DONE.I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE.
Official recalls
504V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Aug 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Mar 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
98V072000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Apr 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:rear
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2002, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE02-086) TO EVALUATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (U-VAN) WHICH INCLUDED TWO REPORTING CRASHES.ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI UPGRADED PE02-086 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-005) TO CONTINUE ITS EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES HAS BEEN USED IN THE U-VAN FROM MY 1997 THROUGH THE PRESENT.THE GM ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THAT THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS COULD CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS SUCH AS IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING.ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 19 INCIDENTS OF REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW REPORTS TO ODI OR GM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS. DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND THE ABSENCE OF A CONTINUING TREND IN REPORTED FAILURES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02032 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.
EA02003 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Dec 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
Steering:rack And Pinion
THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL.GM WILL RECALL 1997-98 GRAND PRIX BUILT BETWEEN 1-MAR-96 AND 31-OCT-97; AND 1996-98 U-VANS/J-CARS BUILT BETWEEN 1-JAN-96 AND 31-OCT-97.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE01038 · Steering Rack And Pinion
Opened Nov 14, 2001 · Closed Apr 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ODI HAS RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS FROMT CONSUMERS AND 1,238 FROM GM ALLEGING FAILURE OR LOCKUP OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION UNIT (R&P).THIS ALLEGED CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN RESULT.GM HAS REPORTED SIX CRASHES IN WHICH EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES RANGING FROM BRUISES, AIRBAG BURN, SEAT BELT ABRASION, FACIAL INJURY, NECK AND BACK PAIN.ALL CRASHES WERE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHES.GM STATES THAT ONE POSSIBLE FAILURE MODE IS FAILURE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE R&P.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available