Since having the rack/pinion steering replaced twice (once before the recall and once after), I have again noticed difficulty pulling out of parking spaces turning left or right (hard to turn the wheel/loss of power steering?), especially, in cold weather. As you straighten wheel and start driving, problem seems to resolve itself. Went to dealer who thought it could not possibly be the rack so therefore replaced the power steering pump in early november. The failure happened again today.
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport: sudden loss of power
5 of the 236 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Sudden loss of power by model year
- 19983
- 19975
- 19941
- 19932
What owners say
My 1997 pontiac transport only has 54000 miles on it and the engine intake manifold has gone up on it. After looking into it I have found this is a common problem with gm cars and trucks with a 3.4l engine. There seems to be a faulty design to the gasket. I have taken care of this van doing all maintenance on schedule. Gm will do nothing to fix this problem even though they are well aware of this happening. They have even issued a service bulletin to dealers on how to diagnose the problem quickly (tsb#02-06-01-014). When the gasket goes there is a loss of power in the engine or stalling making it hard to steer and break.
Loss of power steering during wet conditions. Other conditions noise for belt and battery light on.
Serpentine belt fails causing loss of power steering assist when driving in wet weather.
Loss of power steering when driving in rain.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine oil or coolant leak
- Engine oil or coolant leak
- Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation
- Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or...
- Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or...
- Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes...
- Engine coolant weeping from coolant recovery reservoir cap
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport?
5 of 236 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport (2%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport?
There are 0 recalls and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport
Headlights 32Door locks 13Wipers 13Steering lock-up 10Overheating 9Power steering loss 9Engine failure 8Brake failure 7Seat belt 6ABS 5Knocking 5Stalling 5Tire blowout 5
VIN decoder
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