NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,299 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Owner Comments

problem #16

Aug 072013

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Air.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #15

Oct 042011

Trans Sport

  • miles
After I had the radiator replaced $350 job the intake gasket sprung a leak. Therefore I had to have not only this replaced but the valve cover gasket as well which cost a total of $867. I also had to rent a car for 3 day which cost an additional $30 per day. My mechanic said that the recommended dexcol coolant used in this model car, over a period of time, will eat thru the gasket thus the leak. I need to know if there was a re-call regarding this problem and if I can be compensated. I am a hard working individual with limited resources. I have always maintained regular maintenance on my vehicles not foreseeing this issue that arose. Please get back in touch with me as soon as possible regarding his matter. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #14

May 012007

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Pontiac Transport. The contact stated that the vehicle's intake manifold is leaking internally and externally in between the intake and the block. He has not contacted the manufacturer due to prior issues with the transmission. As a result, the vehicle consumes a large amount of coolant which contaminates the oil. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 65,150 and failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 06/08/07

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #13

Nov 202006

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated while traveling 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the plastic head cracked and the engine needed to be replaced.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #12

Dec 022005

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
Seat belts "sticking", steering making loud "pop" noises when turning wheel, transmission shifting very hard from park to reverse on a angle. Now my engine locked up, was hesitating when accelerating.

- South Bloomfield , OH, USA

problem #11

Apr 232005

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
Intake gasket leaking and replaced in January 2005 at a cost of over $600. Cam shaft snapped in half in April 2005 resulting in total engine failure and replacement - cost of $3400. This should be recalled by GM and anyone that has had this occur reimbursed.

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 062003

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,152 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Van stopped suddenly on expressway. Dealer towed it away and diagnosed problem. He said that cam shaft was seized or broke. All fluid levels were ok. Car had no leaks. Found no evidence of sludge in the motor. Found that van was properly maintained by owner. Quoted new engine cost of $4693.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #9

Feb 242005

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
While driving 20 mph consumer heard loud noise, and then the vehicle completely stalled. Vehicle was towed to consumer's home. A mechanic came to consumer's house to inspect the vehicle, and informed the consumer that the vehicle has a blown head gasket. This problem causes the cam shaft to seize. Dealer was not notified.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #8

Feb 102005

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle hesitated while driving. Driver took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the head gasket, valves, and lifter needed to be replaced.

- Appleton, NY, USA

problem #7

Jun 152003

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,300 miles
Engine was losing coolant and had a ticking sound when brought into GM dealer. Repairs included replacement of head gaskets and intake gasket. Cooling system also had to be flushed and refilled. Mileage quote above was actually 110927 km and repair costs were can$1965.

- Lively, UN, USA

problem #6

Dec 152002

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The air conditioning may have never worked, we hadn't tried it until 10 mths after buying the van. The low coolant light came on and we brought the van to a mechanic who said the repair would cost $800. He added stop leak, which worked temporarily. The problem has just reoccured and we have not driven the van since. The ABS light had come on in August, we have full use of the brakes, just our ABS is not working. We can't afford to fix this. In November of 2001, our fuel pump had to be replaced. I was crossing a busy hwy. Here in winnipeg, and the van just died and came to an abrupt halt. I phoned a dealer in winnipeg (vickor chev olds) and the mechanic told me that this happens, sometimes the fuel pump will work for a while and all of a sudden it will malfunction for a couple of weeks. We phoned the used car dealer auto town in winnipeg that we bought the van from and they felt awful, and offered to cover the labor if we paid for the part. The part alone was 400.00

- Winnipeg, UN, USA

problem #5

Jun 152002

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,309 miles
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

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 152003

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
While driving on interstate, camshaft broke. Problem was traced back to a leaking intake manifold gasket, that over time, had contaminated the oil with orange coolant, causing camshaft bearing failure. After replacing the engine with a used, 60,000 mile, replacement, and driving the van for another 16,000 miles, now the replacement engine is leaking coolant internally, and had contaminated the oil in this engine. Obviously it's the same problem, however GM has issued a service bulletin changing the gasket design, and no replacement gaskets are available yet. So, I can't drive it, and can't repair it due to lack of parts.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

problem #3

Jun 152003

Trans Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,019 miles
Vehicle kept over heating. Took it to a mechanic and they changed out thermostat, water pump, temperature sending unit, catalytic converter. Was still over heating. The mechanic checked the engine and found blown head gasket and cracked heads. This problem started out on interstate 15 northbound right outside of barstow, ca. Had to pull over to the shoulder and wait for it to cool down several times so we could get to an exit.

- Fort Irwin, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 062003

Trans Sport 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
Total engine failure occurred while driving on highway on vacation with wife and three kids. 71000 miles on very well maintained van. We bought it with 8,000 miles on it. No warnings, no noises, no smoke, no overheating. Engine just quit running and we coasted to a stop on very busy interstate. This could have caused a major accident. Dealer promised "at least 50% warranty" then retracted offer two days later pending tear down and diagnosis. Diagnosis spun crank bearings/ bent rods due to coolant in oil. Cost $2050 after 50% warranty. Two weeks later, told camshaft was broken in half and that our engine could not be repaired. I asked why they didn't know that before. Svc mgr said they just pulled the engine out that day. This was not true since my wife and I spoke with the technician three days prior and he was all but ready to reinstall our engine. The bare block was on an engine stand when we spoke with him. Svc mgr then said warranty was in question. I had meeting with mgmt about "bait & switch" tactics. Svc mgr then said Pontiac would install brand new "crate" engine for the $2050 we were quoted two weeks prior. No one from the svc dept ever called us about delays or when our van was done. Took 34 days to complete repairs. After getting it back, it was discovered that the axle retaining nuts on both sides were only finger tight/ready to fall off. Went back and have them torqued to specs. They wonder why go to a local shop for routine service rather than the dealer. This was the most absurd fiasco I have ever seen. We are seeking restitution. GM should be forced to recall these engines for intake manifold gasket failures as this was determined to be the root cause.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 202003

Trans Sport

  • miles
The intake manifold gasket has begun leaking. I am concerned this could contribute to intake manifold failure with the possibility of fire.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

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