IllustrationPONTIAC TRANS SPORT 1998 --EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY EXTREMELY POOR. OWN VEHICLE SINCE 2005. *TR
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Trans Sport years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
30–25K
325–50K
2550–75K
1175–100K
20100–150K
5150K+
67 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
30 reportsPROBLEM: LAST FALL I NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I USED THE TURN SIGNAL? SLOWLY I LOST THE 'TRIP COMPUTER' THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FLASH QUICKLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS A BAD BULB SOMEWHERE WITH THE BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS. I WOULD ALSO NOTICE THAT THE CLOCK ON THE RA…
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PROBLEM: LAST FALL I NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I USED THE TURN SIGNAL? SLOWLY I LOST THE 'TRIP COMPUTER' THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FLASH QUICKLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS A BAD BULB SOMEWHERE WITH THE BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS. I WOULD ALSO NOTICE THAT THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO WOULD DIM WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKES WERE USED. LONG STORY- SHORT, MORE AND MORE THINGS SEEMED TO BE FAILING OVER TIME. I WAS STARTING TO THINK IT WAS RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR. SOLUTION: I PULLED THE TAILLIGHTS AND TOOK A CLOSER LOOK. I PULLED THE PLUGS ON THE TOP OF THE LIGHTS AND I FOUND MELTED CONTACTS ON ONE OF THE SIX CONTACT POINTS. I WAS GOING TO TIN THE CONTACT POINTS PUT THAT DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL. I TOOK A SCREW DRIVER AND REALIGNED THE SOCKETS AND SCRAPPED OFF THE MELTED PLASTIC ON THE PINS. TESTED THE LIGHTS AND THEY WORKED PERFECTLY! ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WENT AWAY! :) WHAT I FIND STRANGE IS THIS IS THE SECOND GM VAN THAT I HAVE SEEN MELTED CONTACT POINTS EITHER ON THE PLUGS OR ON THE SOCKETS OF THE BULBS. SEEING THERE IS N O RECALL ON THIS I HOPE THIS INFO HELPS SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC HOUSING ON THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS TURNED YELLOW. THE YEARS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT TARNISHED THE CLEARNESS OF THE COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT PURCHASE NEW HOUSINGS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *JB *AK
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS IN MY 1998 MONTANA. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS 2 TIMES ON THE RIGHT, AND ONCE ON THE LEFT. THE FRONT LENS ON THE LIGHTS SEEM TO JUST FALL OFF. THESE PARTS ARE $100 OR MORE. WHY ARE THE POORLY ASSEMBLED AND HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS?*AK
WHERE DO I START? SAME COMPLAINTS AS ALL OTHER PONTIAC MINIVAN OWNERS. SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 1998, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAULTY, ABS WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AND MALFUNCTIONING (STILL) PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR. RECENTLY HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE LEAK, AS WELL AS …
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WHERE DO I START? SAME COMPLAINTS AS ALL OTHER PONTIAC MINIVAN OWNERS. SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 1998, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAULTY, ABS WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION, AND MALFUNCTIONING (STILL) PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR. RECENTLY HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE LEAK, AS WELL AS FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB. THIS IS THE WORST (AND MOST COSTLY) VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED WITH RESPECT TO MAINTENANCE.*AK
HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED TWICE. CURRENTLY, BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $150.00 FOR EACH FOR HEADLIGHT.
RH HEADLAMP LENSE FELL OFF. VEHICLE NEVER INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. THE LENSE JUST FELL OFF. VEHICLE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPON INVESTIGATING REPLACEMENT, FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NO SALVAGE YARD HAS ANY USED AVAILABLE, HOWEVER THEY ARE WILLING TO SELL NEW ONES AT A PRICE BETWEEN $100 - $165. I WAS TOLD THAT GM W…
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RH HEADLAMP LENSE FELL OFF. VEHICLE NEVER INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. THE LENSE JUST FELL OFF. VEHICLE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPON INVESTIGATING REPLACEMENT, FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NO SALVAGE YARD HAS ANY USED AVAILABLE, HOWEVER THEY ARE WILLING TO SELL NEW ONES AT A PRICE BETWEEN $100 - $165. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WANTS $250 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. THIS CAN BE SEEN JUST BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP IN THIS WEBSITE.THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE LIGHT(S) FAILED AT NIGHT. IT DEFINTELY IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER.*AK
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP FELL OFF - LITERALLY JUST DROPPED RIGHT OFF OF IT - I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS, SITTING AT A LIGHT, THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A PASSING AUTO - I STOPPED, LOOKED, THINKING IT WOULD BE THE BLINKER, AND KEPT GOING- ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE COVER TO THE HEAD LIGHT! THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, FROM WHAT WE'R…
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DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP FELL OFF - LITERALLY JUST DROPPED RIGHT OFF OF IT - I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS, SITTING AT A LIGHT, THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A PASSING AUTO - I STOPPED, LOOKED, THINKING IT WOULD BE THE BLINKER, AND KEPT GOING- ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE COVER TO THE HEAD LIGHT! THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, FROM WHAT WE'RE FINDING AND NO JUNK/SALVAGE YARDS HAVE ANY - AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING - THEY'RE GONE BEFORE THEY GET THERE, JUNK HEADLAMP! THESE AND THE GRANDAMS! THIS VAN HAS ONLY 50K MILES ON IT! NOT LIKE IT'S GOT A TON OF MILEAGE!*AK
PROB #1 - INTAKE LEAKING - NEEDS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASTKET REPLACEMENT. LOCAL DEALER WILL NOT PAY FOR. PROB #2 - I HAVE LOST TWO HEADLAMP LENSE COVERS IN THE PAST YEAR - DEALER SAID THIS HAPPENS "A LOT!, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ADHESIVE" I HAD TO REPLACE TWO COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES TOTALLING OVE…
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PROB #1 - INTAKE LEAKING - NEEDS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASTKET REPLACEMENT. LOCAL DEALER WILL NOT PAY FOR. PROB #2 - I HAVE LOST TWO HEADLAMP LENSE COVERS IN THE PAST YEAR - DEALER SAID THIS HAPPENS "A LOT!, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ADHESIVE" I HAD TO REPLACE TWO COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES TOTALLING OVER $200.00
HEADLIGHT LENS HAS FALLEN OFF DUE TO POOR SEAL AND NO SCREWS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND HEADLIGHT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ON THIS VAN. IN ADDITION, WE HAD A 1997 TRANSPORT AND BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES FELL OFF THAT ONE AS WELL. AFTER MONTHS OF COMPLAINING AND LETTER WRITING, PONTIAC CORRECTED THE OTHER 3 HEADLIGHTS AT NO COST BUT WI…
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HEADLIGHT LENS HAS FALLEN OFF DUE TO POOR SEAL AND NO SCREWS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND HEADLIGHT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ON THIS VAN. IN ADDITION, WE HAD A 1997 TRANSPORT AND BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES FELL OFF THAT ONE AS WELL. AFTER MONTHS OF COMPLAINING AND LETTER WRITING, PONTIAC CORRECTED THE OTHER 3 HEADLIGHTS AT NO COST BUT WILL NOT DO SO WITH THIS ONE. THIS IS CLEARLY A PRODUCT DEFECT AND JUDGING BY THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
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.
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.
98V131000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Jun 11, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.
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
7PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE WERE 102 ALLEGED INJURIES INCLUDING ARM/WRIST, THUMB AND SHOULDER INJURIES.A COUNT OF INJURIES REVEALS THAT 76 INJURIES WERE A FRACTURED OR A BROKEN ARM/WRIST REQUIRING AN IMMOBILIZING CAST FOR FOUR-TO-SIX WEEKS.ALL INJURIES INVOLVE THE RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE LEFT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS ON FAR FEWER VEHICLES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT PRODUCES LESS FORCE.GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 2004, THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 1997 THOUGH EARLY 2005 GM U-VAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND WITH 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN CHAIRS (NHTSA RECALL #04V597).AS PART OF THE RECALL REMEDY, GM WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A FLUSH MOUNTED HANDLE THAT WILL PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM GRASPING THE HANDLE WITH THE PALM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND DOOR PANEL (THUMB UP ORIENTATION) AND THUS ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ARM/WRIST ENTRAPMENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03005 · 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.
PE02086 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 9, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Suspension:rear
ANALYSIS OF ODI AND GM DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 14 INCIDENTS OF REAR TRAILING ARM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 THROUGH 1999 GM U-VANS, INCLUDING TWO THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE TRAILING ARM DESIGN IN THESE VEHICLES IS USED IN THE U-VANS FROM MY 1997 THROUGH 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT TRAILING ARMS CAN CRACK OR BUCKLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, PRE-DELIVERY HANDLING, OR CERTAIN SERVICE RELATED ABUSE CONDITIONS (E.G., IMPROPER TOWING OR JACKING).GM IDENTIFIED A PARTS HANDLING CONCERN THAT WAS CAUSING SOME TRAILING ARMS TO BE DAMAGED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN, GM IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FROM JANUARY 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1999. EIGHT (8) OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN MY 1997-99 U-VANS, INCLUDING THE TWO CRASHES, OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE TREND AND SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00045 · Air Bag Tear During Deployment
Opened Nov 3, 2000 · Closed Jan 11, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
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