The Pontiac Trans Sport spans 1995–2026 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 18 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Pontiac Trans Sport — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Pontiac Trans Sport is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Pontiac Trans Sport VIN — every digit explained
Every Pontiac Trans Sport carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Pontiac and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Trans Sport.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Our VIN lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Trans Sport have?
The Pontiac Trans Sport has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Pontiac Trans Sport
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Pontiac Trans Sport — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Pontiac Trans Sport problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Pontiac Trans Sport — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Pontiac Trans Sport specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Pontiac Trans Sport. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Pontiac Trans Sport window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Pontiac Trans Sport cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Trans Sport holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Pontiac Trans Sport tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Pontiac Trans Sport get?
The Pontiac Trans Sport returns up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,350/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1999 Pontiac Trans Sport (3.4L 6-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Trans Sport | 16 | 23 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 3.4L 6-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Trans Sport stacks up against the most fuel-efficient minivans, or calculate this Trans Sport's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Pontiac Trans Sport have? Power & range
The Pontiac Trans Sport is offered with 1 powertrain — 3.4L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.4L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Pontiac Trans Sport tow? Towing & payload
As a van, the Pontiac Trans Sport is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Trans Sport's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Pontiac Trans Sport cost to own?
A used Pontiac Trans Sport sells for a median of about $22,495 for a 2002 — most listed between $21,000 and $24,000, from 28 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Trans Sport | $21,000–$24,000 | 8 | |
| 2001 Trans Sport | $23,500–$34,000 | 5 | |
| 2000 Trans Sport | $13,860–$16,990 | 8 | |
| 1999 Trans Sport | $20,500–$29,500 | 3 | |
| 1994 Trans Sport | $8,500–$27,970 | 4 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Trans Sport is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Pontiac Trans Sport depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Trans Sport loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Trans Sport ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Pontiac Trans Sport safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Trans Sport yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Pontiac Trans Sport last?
A well-maintained Pontiac Trans Sport typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Pontiac Trans Sport’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Trans Sport’s VIN free →All Pontiac Trans Sport model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Pontiac Trans Sport — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2016 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2015 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2014 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2013 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2012 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2011 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2010 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2009 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2008 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2007 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2006 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2005 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2004 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2003 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2002 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2001 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 2000 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 1999 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 1998 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 1997 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 1996 Trans Sport | 0 | — | |
| 1995 Trans Sport | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Trans Sport?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Pontiac Trans Sport.
How many recalls does the Trans Sport have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Pontiac recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Trans Sport get?
Up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Trans Sport last?
A well-maintained Trans Sport typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Trans Sport reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Pontiac Trans Sport — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Pontiac Trans Sport warranty?
New Pontiac models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Pontiac dealer.
Where is the Pontiac Trans Sport made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Trans Sport's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Pontiac may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Trans Sport have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.