I have owned both a '92 and a '97 transport and both had the same problems. The power window controls pop loose of the driver's door and the windows fail to operate. The rear door lock fails. The blinker and cruise control lever snapped off the steering column so the blinker doesn't work. The window wiper control module failed. The transaxle hoses sprung a leak at the metal connections causing the transaxle to loose fluid and the vehicle to be stranded.
Pontiac Trans Sport door locks problems
48 of the 971 owner complaints about the Pontiac Trans Sport describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 48
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 118,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
My 97 pontiac transports has a safety issue. The passenger sliding door is inoperable. The door will not open and apperas to not be closed all the way. The door is turned off via the switch and the lock will not release via the unlock switch or the manual lock mechanism on the door. In the even of an accident this door could not be used as an exit. I also have concerns of the door possible coming open while the vehicle is in motion.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to unlock the right sliding door with the manual control or the keyless entry the door would not unlock. The dealer was alerted.
Consumer complaint concerning pontiac montana power sliding door interior handle. *ts ***nar*** the vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the door was operating as designed. The automatic door began to open and the consumer's elderly mother grabbed the door handle. The door continued to open and placed an enormous amount of pressure on her arm. Luckily her arm was only bruised/sore and not broken. The consumer is requesting that the doors mechanism be replaced with one that automatically reopens if obstructed. *nm updated 12/07/06.
Power sliding door opened while driving. 5-year-old child was in the seat next to the door. This problem had two recalls in 2001. This vehicle's history shows it also had warranty work on this door in 1998. Gm refused to pay for any of the cost of the repair, done on 6/12/06, apparently because it just crossed over 100,000 miles. The dealer replaced the actuator, latch, and handle, at a total charge of $284.20.
I brought my 1998 pontiac transport minivan in for recall repair arriving at 7:30 am. My vehicle was returned to me around 9 am and I was told that the work was completed. I pressed the automatic door and it didn't release, so I let someone know. My vehicle was swoshed away and I stood there not really knowing what the person said quickly before jumping in and taking off. I simply stepped back out of his way. Finally, I went back in the waiting room and about an hour later he came in. He told me that I needed to bring it back during a week day where he would have more time to see what's going on with the door handle/lock. He also informed me that it would cost me $95.00. I don't know what to do at this point except call the phone number on the recall letter. I truly feel that there should not be a charge, because the recall letter clearly states to replace the exisiting handle, lock, etc. So the door can open and close as it should. I asked twice if he needed to see the letter and he said no both times.
The doors have an annoying clicking that comes from the automatic door locks. It seems that the system senses the doors to be unlocked and clicks to lock even though the doors are already locked! I am afraid that one day the doors will unlock instead while driving. Also my transmission failed last summer and I was told that the transmission cooler lines were inoperable! Causing the transmission oil to burn and it cost me $3000.00 to replace.
Rear passenger power sliding door will not close properly due to a faulty latch. Dealer will replace the latch only at consumer's expense. *ak consumer has to physically lean on the door to close.
Have been experiencing problems when I start my van. All the idiot lights come on the dash, it has happened twice since I have had this vehicle. The speedometer and tach gauges don't work when this happens. The first time it happened the sliding door would not work when you pushed the button on the door or the one on the front window panel. I have had intermittent problems with the sliding door, I would try to close it and it would open again., since I have owned this vehicle which I bought in 1999. I have had both front door handles on the inside of the door snap on me. I feel that there might be a problem with the ignition switch because the first problem I was talking about doesn't happen all the time and it's when I have gotten in and started the vehicle. I thought it was repaired but it happened again the next day they did find a grounded out wire.
Transmission - when you start the van, and put into gear, it takes at least 10-20 seconds before it will engage into forward and reverse. Drivers side seatbelt- would not retract, had to replace, it cost $100.00 replaced 2 altinators, 1 starter and 4 batteries. Had to re-seal intake twice. Lifter tick, donut seal replaced. Vacumm leak repaired. Coolant leak, had to replace head gasket twice. Coolant is leaking again. Door handle, drivers side broke today.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
- Risk
- If a passenger uses the interior handle to open the power sliding door and holds onto the handle while it is being opened by the motor, the passenger's arm may be pushed into the seat back or armrest and a wrist or lower arm injury may result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for appearance reasons. Note: before the vehicle is serviced, gm advises owners to not use the interior door handle to open the door. The driver can open and close the door from switches at the driver's position or by using the remote key fob. The driver should tell passengers to use the switch located in front of the door to open or close it. The driver should use the override switch to prevent operation of the power door by children or by others who are not familiar with its use. The owner notification letter mailing will be conducted in phases with the first phase beginning on may 31, 2005. The second phase mailing began on july 18, 2005. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Phase 2 began on july 18, 2005. Phase 3 (final phase) began on august 24, 2005, to all remaining customers. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668; or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.
Recall number 04V597000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: 1997-2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana/transport, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v‑067) from april to august 2001. Also 2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in january through april 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched.
- Risk
- If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on october 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V264000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface.
- Risk
- An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01v‑264. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 01V067000 · Recall details
Questions about the Pontiac Trans Sport door locks
Which Pontiac Trans Sport years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (13 complaints), 1998 (12 complaints) and 1995 (11 complaints).
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