RoadVitals

1988 Pontiac Lemans

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Oct 24, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans, most frequently naming the seat belts, suspension and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts730.4%
  • Suspension313.0%
  • Brakes313.0%
  • Powertrain (other)28.7%
  • Engine28.7%
  • Fuel system28.7%
  • Interior & seats14.3%
  • Steering14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V154000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Sep 21, 1993
182,045 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT LATCH OR MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE RED RELEASE PUSH BUTTON.
The risk: THE BUCKLE MALFUNCTION WOULD PREVENT THE USE OF THESAFETY BELT SYSTEM, PLACING THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE OR REPAIR THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V163000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 18, 1988
85,063 units potentially affected
The defect: SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT PROPERLY LATCH ALLOWING THE LATCH PLATE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON.
The risk: IN EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION, SEAT BELT COULDRELEASE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91101ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP

Opened Jul 17, 1991
Closed Nov 4, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89113ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADEQUATE BRAKES

Opened Apr 12, 1989
Closed Nov 30, 1989

SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS REPORT LOW PEDAL AND FREQUENT REPAIR OF BRAKESSERVICE BULLETIN REPORTS MISADJUSTMENT MAY CAUSE INCREASED FRONT PAD WEAR.UNSATISIFACTORY STOPPING DISTANCE ALSO REPORTED IN COMPLAINTS.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Steering
Filed Oct 24, 2002
1 injury reported

FINGERS BENT AND TWISTED INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS ARE BENT AND TWISTED TOWARDS THE BABY FINGERS. THUNBS ARE BENT OUTWARD AWAY FROM HANDS. HANDS ARE PAINFUL. BENDING AND TWISTING DOESN'T APPEAR AS BADLY AS OTHER DRIVERS. PLEASE VIEW PHOTO AT HTTP://PHOTOS.YAHOO.COM/MIKETOMICH THIS INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF JOAN LOPEZ BY MIKE TOMICH 989-665-2311. DT

NHTSA ID
768828
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Suspension
Filed Apr 21, 1999

WHILE DRIVING FRONT SPRINGS BROKE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. ONE SET BROKE WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE OTHER SET BROKE WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
836981
Incident
May 17, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 1997

FUEL FILLER NECK LEAKED FUEL DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL. OWNER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (88V-094.000). *AK

NHTSA ID
517651
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 17, 1997

PLASTIC COMPONENTS IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROL THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS MELTED AND STARTED TO BURN.

NHTSA ID
522208
Seat belts
Filed Oct 1, 1996

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT, THE SHOULDER BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ID
803080
Incident
Oct 12, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Sep 9, 1996

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING (FAILED) . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

NHTSA ID
802058
Seat belts
Filed Oct 31, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE SEAT BELT COME OUT OF BUCKLE WHEN CONSUMER WAS IN ACCIDENT. TT CONSUMER STATES SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH AND A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HER VEHICLE ON IMPACT AND SEAT BELT CAME OPEN, AND CONSUMER AND CONSUMER WENT INTO CONSOLE, WAS THORWN AROUND IN VEHICLE, DAMAGE WAS FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, HOOD, AND RIGHT FENDER, CONSUMER ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB

NHTSA ID
974276
Incident
Oct 12, 1995
BrakesEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Jul 24, 1995

MISALIGNED FRONT END, CAUSING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
484669
Incident
Sep 9, 1993

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Lemans by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993182156.9
1992212254.5
1991243365.7
1990253359.8
1989152150.2
1988Viewing134262.9
1981011—
1980051—
1979051—
1978081—
1977230—
1976020—
1975020—
1974040—
1973040—
1971010—
1968010—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.