Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 22 | 31% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 11% |
| Visibility | 6 | 9% |
| Seats | 4 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 6% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE ENGINE CRADLE MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO RUST. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING LINKAGE DISCONNECTED AND THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT: THE CRADLE DROPPED, LOST STEERING, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WAS UNINJURED, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SUB FRAME CORRODED ON ONE OR BOTH ENDS, AND CAUSED IT TO BREAK THE STEERING COLU
NHTSA complaint: Structure
REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE OFF OF VEHICLE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED MARCH 1999 FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. ON MAY 9, 2004 THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FRAME BOLTS BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE MIDDLE CRACKED IN HALF. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE REAR CRADLE BOLT SNAPPED. AS A RESULT STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. RECALL 97V058000, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW MOTOR ON 1990 PONTIAC TRANSPORT.*MR (NAR)
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION AND IT COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO BE DEFECTIVE IN THE EVENT OS AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE STEERING BOLT ARE LOSE AND IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Risk: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
Fix: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
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 BOL
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
Fix: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.
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.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 22 of them (31%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.