Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 17 | 13% |
| Structure | 13 | 10% |
| Seats | 13 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 9% |
| Power train | 10 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1995 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID HAVE AN OIL LEAK. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-89-0648. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY FAMILY, AND I WERE RETURNING HOME ON I-77 FROM A CAMPING TRIP, WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. WE MADE IT SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SCARED, AND DAZED, TRYING TO F
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WITH ONE BOLT HOLDING UP THE ENGINE. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY DISCOVERED BY A MECHANIC DOING SOME REPAIRS ON THE ENGINE. THE FRAME ON A 11 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT RUST OUT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WE HAVE A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT. IT LEAKS OIL REALLY BAD. WE GO ABOUT FIFTEEN MILES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO ADD TWO MORE QUARTS OF OIL. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD THE SAME MODEL OF VAN. HIS VAN DID THE SAME THING. HE REPA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH MY 1995 GRAND PRIX SE, 6 CYL, 3.1L ENGINE. I SAW THE 35 PLUS SERVICE BULLETINS AND I CAN PERSONALLY RELATE TO THESE PROBLEMS. MY QUESTION IS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME PLACE SI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE ON A 1995 PONTIAC TRANSPORT AT 80,000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE, AND DRIVER ENDED UP IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK, SHOU
NHTSA complaint: Seats
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 TIM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 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 MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE PEDAL ARM CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO FRACTURE DURING BRAKING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE OPERATION INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SUSPECT BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLIES.
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THROTTLE CABLE SUPPORT BRACKETS THAT COULD CONTACT THE THROTTLE LEVER SYSTEM AND INHIBIT THE THROTTLE RETURN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE THROTTLE MAY FAITL TO RETURN QUICKLY CAUSING THE ENGINE SPEED TO NOT DECREASE TO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE SUPPORT BRACKET.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| 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 126 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 17 of them (13%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 70/100. 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.