1990 Pontiac Trans Sport
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport recalls 5
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGE…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
Fix: REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Fix: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Fix: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1990 Pontiac Trans Sport MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 10
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION Closed
NHTSA #EA00011 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Apr 2000 · closed Jan 2001ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION Closed
ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS. THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION. AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED. IN ADDITION TO THE COMPL…
NHTSA #RQ99002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 1999 · closed Apr 2000CRADLE BOLT FAILURES Closed
NHTSA #RQ97017 · Structure · opened Oct 1997 · closed Jun 1997FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE Closed
ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT
NHTSA #EA97019 · Seats · opened Sep 1997 · closed Jun 1999FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE Closed
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.
NHTSA #PE97016 · Seats · opened Apr 1997 · closed Sep 1997ALLEGED ENGINE SUBFRAME MOUNT/INSULATOR Closed
ALLEGED FAILURES OF ENGINE FRAME INSULATORS/MOUNTS TO UNIBODY FRAME MAY ALLOW SEPARATION OF ENGINE SUBFRAME, RESULTING IN COMPROMISE OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION.
NHTSA #PE96065 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Nov 1996 · closed Apr 1997BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION Closed
NHTSA #DP94004 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jun 1994 · closed Aug 1994APV FUEL LINE FIRES Closed
NHTSA #EA92035 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Oct 1992 · closed Nov 1993APV FIRES Closed
APV FIRES
NHTSA #DP92012 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jun 1992 · closed Jun 1992APV FUEL LINE FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE92052 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1992 · closed Oct 1992An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 8
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
NO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT
Bulletin 01880 · Power Train · Jan 2004INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS. *TT
Bulletin 990941004 · Air Bags · Jan 2000GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO REQUESTED THEM. *TT
Bulletin 990940004 · Seats · Jan 2000THIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT. *TT
Bulletin 990866002A · Latches/locks/linkages · Jan 2000SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEX…
Bulletin 876002A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1998FUEL TANK THUD/CLUNK. *TW
Bulletin 436303 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 1995NEW DIAGNOSIS AND CORRECTION PROCEDURES FOR FRONT BRAKE PULSATION. *TW
Bulletin 435009 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1994SLIDING DOOR RATTLES. *TW
Bulletin 431051 · Structure · Dec 1994Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TRANS SPORT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Pontiac Trans Sport
The Pontiac Trans Sport is a minivan that was marketed by Pontiac from the 1990 to 1999 model years. The first minivan marketed by the division, the Trans Sport marked the beginning of a wider transition of moving away from sedans and station wagons as family-oriented vehicles. Marketed between the Chevrolet Lumina APV and the Oldsmobile Silhouette took its name from a similar 1986 concept vehicle.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.