10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,563 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The vehicle's transmission had to be replaced and the engine had to be replaced due to a faulty head gasket. The transmission failed twice. The consumer stated that he has had the vehicle towed on four separated occasions.
- Hampton, VA, USA
General Motors 1997 Pontiac Transport minivan- intake manifold replaced at 55,000 miles and 72,000.
- Wheaton, IL, USA
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.
- Bel Air, MD, USA
My wife and I are the original owners of a 1997 Pontiac Transport with 71,000 miles. Since about 65,000 miles, it seemed to very slowly lose coolant, but we could not find out where it was going. At 70,000 miles, a "white milky sludge like jelly material" appeared in the engine, and right away I knew we had a problem. This vehicle has been meticulous maintained, so immediately I took it to our local Pontiac dealer and informed them that we had coolant leak. The service department at the dealer confirmed that the lower intake manifold gasket had failed, allowing coolant to mix in with the oil. They had to replace the gasket and flush out the motor all to the tune of $731. Calling GM customer service was a waste of time because they "denied" any problems, and they said since the vehicle was out of warranty, we were responsible for any repairs. Come to find out that a lot of others were experiencing the same intake manifold gasket issues with GM. I am hoping that our problems was caught in time as it seems like many folks are worse off. I know that my vehicle is out of warranty, but since the problem seems to be widespread across many GM vehicles, models, and engines, I think that GM should be held responsible for some/all of the costs associated with this gasket defect/service issue. I didn't know if you might be able to help out??
- Chalfont, PA, USA
The van was involved in accident which the intake manifold gasket was damaged. The van was repaired by a Pontiac dealership. Anti-freeze is leaking by the intake manifold and mixing with the oil, which wasn't from the accident. The owner has found similar reports on "nhtsas' website.
- Wausau, WI, USA
Coolant leaking from radiator. Consumer speculates head gasket is blown. Manufacturer notified.
- Wixom, MI, USA
About every 3months vehicle would stall out for no reason. Have taken to dealer numerous times. Was cleanedout 3 different times. Engine gets the cleaning. Vehicle loses power. Also, the engine check light keeps coming on.
- Toledo, OH, USA
- Smithtown, NY, USA