Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 128 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Trans Sport year — the 1994 model ranks #4 of 17 Trans Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (17), seat belts (16), and body & structure (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
128
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
2
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
14
Fires reported
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 17 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 16 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 14 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 14 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 13 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 11 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 8 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 7 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 5 | 4% | — flat |
| Seats | 4 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | — flat |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | — flat |
| Airbags | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
4 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
THE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MAY LOCK-UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON SLOPES OF LESS THAN 15 DEGREES, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SEATED IN THESE POSITON MAYBE UNABLE TO EXTRACT AND FASTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS MOVED TO A MORE LEVEL SURFACE. UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THAN THOSE USING SAFETY BELTS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
Defect
THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR CENTER POSITION ARE MISSING A PAWL SPRING AND IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WILL ALLOW THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING TO EXTEND BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE SAFETY BELT WOULD NOTRESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT, SUBJECTING THE OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE RETRACTOR IF THE PAWL SPRING IS MISSING.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER'S 3-YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO PUT TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING PEDAL, VEHICLE MOVED, HITTING CONSUMER, AND PINNING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE. *AK”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 93V212000, 94V10000 AND 94V015000, REGARDING THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH ROW SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER THE RECALL DOES NOT…”
“I OWN A 1994 PONTIAC TRANSPORT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP AND RESUME AT WILL, SOMETIMES THEY ARE INACTIVE FOR AS LONG AS HOURS. TWICE THIS ALMOST LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT IN CANADA THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOW COME NOT IN THE US? IF THE SAME COMPONENT IS…”
“WHEN TRYING TO ENTER PASSENGER DOOR I LIFTED UP HANDLE AND THE INNER PART OF THE LOCK BROKE OFF.I CALLED DEALER ,THEY SAYIT NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROB AND WAS WONDERING IF AN INVESTIGTION COULD BE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE DRIVERS DOOR BRAKES AND THEN ENTERING…”
“A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH AT THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE DASH. HARNESS TO THE FUSES RUBBED UP AGAINST THE PLASTIC BRACE WHICH IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH FUSE PANEL AND GLOVE BOX, RESULTING IN BURNING AND MELTING OF THE WIRES. OWNER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR COST OF REPAIR. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 128 complaints put the 1994 model at #4 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 transmission (17 complaints), seat belts (16 complaints), body & structure (14 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 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 2 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.