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1996 Pontiac Trans Sport 3dr SE Minivan

The 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport 3dr SE Minivan is a 3.4-liter V6 with an automatic 4-speed and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,939 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Trans Sport measures 192.2 inches long on a 109.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,593 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeMinivan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,939 ($41,301 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.4L V6
Displacement3.4 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic 4-speed
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity20 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15-in.
Wheels Rear15-in.
Dimensions & Weight
Length192.2 in
Width74.6 in
Height65.7 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb Weight3,593 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.2 in
Headroom Rear39 in
Legroom Front40 in
Legroom Rear36.1 in
Shoulder Room Front60.6 in
Shoulder Room Rear59.2 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac TRANS SPORT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 12, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

NHTSA campaign 07E021000

Nov 4, 2002 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

NHTSA campaign 02V286000

61 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac TRANS SPORT

Owner Complaints

61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac TRANS SPORT (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling13
Visibility13
Steering7
Service Brakes6
Electrical System5
Hydraulic5
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 21, 2010 · Engine And Engine Cooling Fire
“1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, MOTOR SEIZED UP AND BEGAN TO SMOKE, MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING SOME TYPE OF FLUID BEHIND. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE…”
Jun 6, 2008 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“1996 PONTIAC TRANSPORT VAN WITH LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTERNAL MANIFOLD LEAKED FILLING THE OIL PAN UP WITH WATER WHICH IN TURN FROZE THE MAIN BEARINGS TO THE…”
Oct 24, 2007 · Structure 1 injury
“WHILE CLOSING THE SIDE DOOR MY GRANDSON'S THUMB WAS CAUGHT IN IT. HE WAS SCREAMING AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY WAY TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE DOOR HAD TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF CLOSING BEFORE…”
Jun 3, 2006 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“COOLANT MIXING INTO ENGINE OIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET,WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?*JB”
Jan 12, 2006 · Unknown Or Other
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS CORRODED THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE SNAPPED AND RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPON…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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