1994 Pontiac Trans Sport: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport: 4 recalls, 98 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #93V212000 · 1993 · 1,238 vehicles
What's wrong: The safety belt retractors for the rear center position are missing a pawl spring and in case of an accident, will allow the safety belt webbing to extend beyond the minimum requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: In the event of an accident the safety belt would notrestrain the occupant, subjecting the occupant to increased risk of injuries.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the safety belt retractor assembly and replace the retractor if the pawl spring is missing.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #94V015000 · 1994 · 22,862 vehicles
What's wrong: The third row safety belt retractors May be installed incorrectly and May lock-up when the vehicle is on slopes of less than 15 degrees, which does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: passengers seated in these positon maybe unable to extract and fasten their seat belts until the vehicle is moved to a more level surface. Unbelted occupants are more at risk of injury in the event of a collision than those using safety belts.
The fix: Dealers will remove third row safety belt retractors and reinstall them properly.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #94V100000 · 1994 · 5,294 vehicles
What's wrong: The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt May not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built in) childseat installed next to the power sliding side door. The 1993 involved vehicles have standard seats in that same…
Why it matters: Improper shoulder belt retraction does not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
The fix: Dealers will replace the door frame pillar trim panel with a redesigned trim panel. Also, a caution label will be applied to the child seat advising the owner not to install the seat to the passenger side of a vehicle with a power sliding side door.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #96V015000 · 1996 · 585,182 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Why it matters: Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (16): the most common themes are leaks (5), hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Seat belts (14): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (14): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (13): the most common themes are door / lock issues (10).
The 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport has 98 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 13 Trans Sport model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 75). Complaints peaked in 1995 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 90,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1993 (61 complaints, 3 recalls), 1995 (113 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport.
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FAQ
Does the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport problems?
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (16), seat belts (14), visibility (wipers, glass) (14).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.1 L, Automatic 3-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.