The 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,159,156 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING02V2860002002-11-041,159,156 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
9
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
5
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
1injuries
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
4
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
Total complaints76
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1996 pontiac trans sport, motor seized up and began to smoke, motor caught fire. *bf prior to the fire, the driver noticed the vehicle was leaving some type of fluid behind. According to the police report, the engine was leaking oil. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0409-90)*jb updated 08/05/10 *bf”
“While closing the side door my grandson's thumb was caught in it. He was screaming and there was no emergency way to stop the door from closing. The door had to complete the course of closing before it could be opened to get his thumb out. I thank god it was only his thumb!! *tr”
“Dt: the contact stated winter weather conditions corroded the cable that held the spare tire on the vehicle. The cable snapped and released the spare tire in the middle of the driveway. Upon inspection by the contact, the cable simply corroded then released the spare tire under pressure of the…”
“Complaint #1- windshield wipers wouldn't work in the rain. Defective circuit board had to be replaced. Complaint # 2- tilt steering column came off. The whole column had to be replaced. Complaint #3- black paint over the cab flaked off. *nm”
“Complaint #1- windshield wipers wouldn't work in the rain. Defective circuit board had to be replaced. Complaint # 2- tilt steering column came off. The whole column had to be replaced. Complaint #3- black paint over the cab flaked off. *nm”
“Complaint #1- windshield wipers wouldn't work in the rain. Defective circuit board had to be replaced. Complaint # 2- tilt steering column came off. The whole column had to be replaced. Complaint #3- black paint over the cab flaked off. *nm”
“1996 pontiac transport accelerated to 85 while set in cruise control at 65 mph.*mr when the consumer attempted to slow the vehicle down to 65 mph, it would accelerate to 85 mph on its own. *jb”
“Vehicle started eating coolant, within 4 days of coolant leak head gasket had complete failure dumping contents of radiator into oil pan. Upon exam found that dextrol coolant had turned corrosive and eaten threw gasket causing failure. Replace all top end gaskets and rebuild top end. Pray that…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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