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
1996 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems
13 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 96,000.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Engine: gasoline3
- Engine3
- Cooling system2
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
- Exhaust system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1996 pontiac transport van with leaking intake manifold gaskets. Consumer states that the internal manifold leaked filling the oil pan up with water which in turn froze the main bearings to the crankshaft, causing the vehicle to lock up at 50 MPH. He sent in previous letter about the same problem on another vehicle. *kb the consumer noticed a smell of anti-freeze, but could not locate the problem, because it was internal not external.
Coolant mixing into engine oil due to defective intake manifold gasket,why is there no recall on this problem?
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 lower end will be ok once flushed completely. Have kept old parts for further exam.
Intake manifold & gasket failure - oil & coolant mixing in engine compartment - imminent engine failure front wiper motor/transmission intermitent failure while driving - difficulty diagnosing problem - major safety issue when the wipers suddenly stop/start working while driving in rain & snow or sloppy highway conditions compressor clutch hub & pulley failure
Failure of the intake manifold gasket.
After the 2nd valve spring broke, I was told that the valves were seizing up and a new engine would be required. All of this was caused by the bad designed manifold gasket that caused coolant to go into the oil. After spending over $1,000 since 4-29-03, I finally had to trade in for another vehicle. I didn't have between $4,000 and $5,000 for a new engine, which on a '96 model would not have been worth it. I could have gotten a used engine, but all of them have the same manifold gasket and this would have cost aproximately $2,000. I've had nothing but problems with this van. General motors should have taken care of this as a recall, but I guess it was too expensive for them too.
Excessive consumption of coolant. Repair shop told us coolant was being sucked into intake manifold. Replaced gasket and converted from orange to green coolant.
Coolant in oil due to manifold intake gasket..had gasket replaced and is back in the shop again for same problem. In between these two towings, I had to have the valve spring replaced because it broke.
Faulty intake manifold gasket on 1996 pontiac transport.
Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport engine
Does the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport have engine problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the engine of the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport, 21% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 96,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Pontiac Trans Sport have bad engine?
The Pontiac Trans Sport model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (52 complaints), 1997 (42 complaints) and 1995 (17 complaints).
Other 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport problems
Visibility 13Steering 7Brakes 6Body 5Electrical 5Transmission 4Airbags 3Acceleration 2Locks 2Seats 2Tires 2Fuel system 1Lights 1Suspension 1
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