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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: gasoline
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Cooling system
    2
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Exhaust system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems in other years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 21, 2010 · Engine · MI · fire

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

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Engine · IL

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2006 · Engine · MI

Coolant mixing into engine oil due to defective intake manifold gasket,why is there no recall on this problem?

Filed Oct 7, 2004 · Engine · 75,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 88,000 miles · UN

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

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 115,000 miles · MI

Failure of the intake manifold gasket.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · GA · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Engine · 96,000 miles · NY

Excessive consumption of coolant. Repair shop told us coolant was being sucked into intake manifold. Replaced gasket and converted from orange to green coolant.

Filed May 25, 2003 · Engine · 96,500 miles · GA

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.

Filed Apr 17, 2003 · Engine · 115,000 miles · MI

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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