VehicleVerdict

1990 Pontiac Trans Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport carries two red flags at once: 64 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). It is one of the Trans Sport years to avoid.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (28% of the total).

64

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

9

Investigations · 2 open

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Trans Sport years?

Trans Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted307 complaints1984: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 64 complaints1991: 46 complaints1992: 96 complaints1993: 77 complaints1994: 128 complaints1995: 151 complaints1996: 76 complaints1997: 307 complaints1998: 287 complaints1999: 18 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 4 complaints
Trans Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Trans Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1828%
Engine1117%
Seat Belts813%
Visibility & Wipers58%
Other58%
Seats46%
Steering35%
Electrical System23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)23%
Fuel System23%
Brakes23%
Transmission12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

99I003000SeatsJune 8, 1999 · 187,459 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.

Consequence

THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

92V012000Body & StructureJanuary 28, 1992 · 95,897 units

Defect

THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.

Remedy

REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

91V046000Seat BeltsMarch 15, 1991 · 400 units

Defect

A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).

Consequence

THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.

Remedy

REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.

89V164000SeatsOctober 2, 1989 · 343 units

Defect

THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.

Consequence

VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.

Remedy

REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99002

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED & TURNING STEERING WHEEL, WOULD HEAR A POPPING SOUND. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. CRADLE THAT HOLDS SUPENSION & ENGINE HAD CRACKED IN HALF BEHIND SWAY BAR MOUNT. HANGING ON RIGHT SIDE. PICTURES ARE INCLUDED. NOTIFIED DEALER & MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 24, 1994

“WHILE MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING VEHICLE HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND HEARD A BIG NOISE BEFORE THE CRADLE BOLT CAME APART AND ENGINE COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 11, 1998

“THE PLASTIC COVER HOLDING THE RETRACTING SPRING HAS BECOME DEFORMED ON MORE THAN ONE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. ALLOWING THE SPRING TO DISCONNECT AND THE BELT TO PULL FREE. MORE THEN ONE BELT RETRACTOR SHOWS SIGNS OF DEFORMING AND POSSIBLE FAILURE. I BELIEVE ALL SIX SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS SHOULDBE REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 4, 1999

“ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SPOT(CLOUDY) APPEARS TO GROW ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH AFFECETS THE VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFFECT WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. CAN NHTSA HELP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 21, 1996

1990 Pontiac Trans Sport — common questions

Is the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 64 complaints put the 1990 model at #8 of 17 Trans Sport years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Trans Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Trans Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (18 complaints), engine (11 complaints), seat belts (8 complaints).

Does the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Pontiac Trans Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Trans Sport years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1990, 1991. The cleanest record among Trans Sport years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.