Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 96 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Trans Sport year — the 1992 model ranks #5 of 17 Trans Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (26% of the total).
96
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
6
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 25 | 26% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 24 | 25% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 9% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 7 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 6 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 6 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 5% | — flat |
| Transmission | 4 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Defect
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ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 4 OF THE 6 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS SINCE JULY OF 2000. THE FAILURE MODE IS THE RETRACTOR SPRING BREAKING OR PULLING OUT OF SEATBELT MOUNTING SHAFT. EACH REPLACEMENT RETRACTOR COSTS $130. REPLACEMENT PARTS LOOK LIKE THEY WILL FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER, VERY POOR DESIGN.”
“BRAKE HOSES MOUNTED TO THE STRUT, STRETCHED AND BROKE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE THE BRAKE HOSES ARE MOUNTED TO THE STRUTS, THEY TAKE A LOT OF ABUSE FROM ROUGH ROADS, POT HOLES, ETC, EVENTUALLY THE BRAKE HOSES CAN NOT TAKE THE STRESS AND BREAK CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *SLC ”
“WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY STEERING UNIT FAILED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING POWER, AND VEHICLE FELL INTO A DITCH. TWO MAJOR BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT END OF THE CHASSIS BROKE LOOSE, CAUSING THE STEERING TO COLLAPSE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK”
“SAME SYMPTOMS & CAUSE AS 98V150001. INTERMITTENT, RANDOM FAILURES EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. SOLDER JOINTS AT CONNECTOR CRACKED. RETENTION TABS ON CONNECTOR ARE SMOOTH TAPER & DO NOT CLIP TO THE PCB. LEADS ARE INSERTED STRAIT - SHOULD BE CRIMPED OVER. NO MECHANICAL SUPPORT…”
“METAL PART UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT UP AND MOVES THE SEAT FORWARD/BACKWARD, BROKE WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. HAD TO REPLACE SEAT TWICE. *AK *SLC”
NHTSA data argues against it: 96 complaints put the 1992 model at #5 of 17 Trans Sport years. It is one of the Trans Sport years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (25 complaints), brakes (24 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Pontiac Trans Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.