Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 10 | 24% |
| Structure | 9 | 22% |
| Tires | 4 | 10% |
| Power train | 3 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 7% |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Visibility | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
OWNER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STOP VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION OWNER NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT OF STRUCTURE HANGING DOWN UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT IS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE RECALL TO FIX THE CRADLE BOLTS WHICH HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN ON MY 1991 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED VEHICLES REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE SALT USED ON OUR ROADS THAN SOME OF THE STATES IN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WE OWN A 1991 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ANNOYING PROBLEMS. OUR MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE "STRIKER" FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S DOORS. THE STRIKER FOR THE PASSENGER DOOR BECAME LOOSE AND WE WERE ABL
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CRADLE HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE AND NOT BE SUPPORTED WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CARRIAGE RETAINER CLIPS RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CARRIAGE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHING BOLT AND WASHER KIT RUSTED IN HALF. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY , PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OFF OF THE RACK AND PINION . THIS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEER
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SUBFRAME DROPPED ABOUT A FOOT PULLING STEERING SHAFT OFF STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING POWER. ALSO, VEHICLE SWERVED TO LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SUBFRAMES BOLTS AND
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE EXACT DATE OF THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON PASSENGERS SIDE IS UNKNOOWN. THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS 06/17/2001.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
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 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.
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, RESU
Risk: THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
| 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 41 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 10 of them (24%). There are 3 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 1991 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.