1996 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 13 of 61 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 113 in 1995 to 61 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,300 | 3,300 | 3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 21–23 | 17 / 23 | 16 / 23 | 16 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 468 | 468 | 468 | |
| Complaints filed | 113 | 61 | 254 | 276 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 5 | 11 | 20 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 5 | 14 | 27 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana?
Engine: 13 of 61 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana get?
EPA rates it 19 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana?
EPA estimates $3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION · Campaign 02V286000 · Nov 6, 2002
Defect: 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.