Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Trans Sport year — the 1993 model ranks #6 of 17 Trans Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 27 reports (35% of the total).
77
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
6
Crash-involved
12
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 27 | 35% | — flat |
| Transmission | 9 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 7 | 9% | — flat |
| Brakes | 5 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 5 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Other | 4 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 1% | new |
3 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
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.
Consequence
IMPROPER SHOULDER BELT RETRACTION DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
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.
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ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.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.
“NHTSA# 94 V 027 000/SEAT BELT LAP REAR: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, LONG PONTIAC IN CHATTANOOGA, TN. PHONE# 423/756-4501 REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL NOTICE. DEALER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS NOT COVERED. *MRTHE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND IT WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER STILL WILL NOT HONOR THE…”
“WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER WAS ALERTED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO RESPONSE. GOT VEHICLE TO STOP AND NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. CONSUMER WAS UNAWEAR OF THE…”
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK ”
“THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP IN MARCH 2000. IT STARTED W/ THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT OCCASIONALLY TURNING ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. AS TIME PASSED, THE LIGHT CAME ON MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND…”
“COMING TO A STOP & STARTED APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT MOVE. LOCKED UP. FOOT ON BRAKE. HEARD A NOISE. FINALLY PEDAL MOVED. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANICS COULD NOT LOCATE REASON FOR BRAKES/BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT WORK. HAS HAPPENED 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 1993 model at #6 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 (27 complaints), transmission (9 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 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 one investigation 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.