RoadVitals

1990 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.
25
Latest Jan 13, 2000
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.
3
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.
3
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Lemans, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 belts828.6%
  • Brakes621.4%
  • Transmission414.3%
  • Driver assistance27.1%
  • Engine27.1%
  • Interior & seats27.1%
  • Visibility13.6%
  • Electrical13.6%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
94V248000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Dec 23, 1994
91,275 units potentially affected
The defect: INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION IN THE GUIDE TRACK RAIL IN WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT CARRIER MOVES CAUSING A CHATTERING NOISE, MOMENTARY BINDING WHILE TRAVELING, CYCLING BACK AND FORTH, OR STOPS COMPLETELY.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIRRESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.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

Safety investigations

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

EA94004ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

Opened Jan 31, 1994
Closed Jan 19, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 94V248000
PE93078ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

AUTO RESTRAINT SYST. FAILS

Opened Sep 16, 1993
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
PE91101ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP

Opened Jul 17, 1991
Closed Nov 4, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 25
Visibility
Filed Jan 13, 2000

VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE PRESSURE RELEASE VENT FOR THE WATER WHEN IT GETS HOT. THIS CAUSES THE PRESSURE TO BULID UP/ HOSES TO BUST, AND VEHICLE OVERHEATING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854961
Transmission
Filed Jul 25, 1997

COMSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH WHEN CLUTCH CABLE BROKE, LEAVING VEHICLE WITHOUT CLUTCH TO SHIFT GEAR ON HIGHWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
814433
Incident
Jul 9, 1997
Interior & seats
Filed May 16, 1997

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASH NEAR STEERING WHEEL, THEN SUDDENLY FLAMES CAME FROM DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS, VEHICLE INTERIOR WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
812325
Seat belts
Filed Mar 3, 1997

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
809595
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 1996

THE BRAKE CALIPER WILL STICK IN CLOSED POSITION AROUND THE BRAKE DRUM, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. *AK

NHTSA ID
804076
Body & structure
Filed Jul 26, 1996

DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HINGES CAME UNWELDED FORM THE DOOR

NHTSA ID
800028
Incident
Jul 17, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Jun 13, 1996

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA ID
505285
Incident
Jun 5, 1996
Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

FLOOR MOUNT SHIFT BECOMES SHAKY AND SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
982906
Incident
Sep 5, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

588101

SEAT BELTS

CHATTERING, BINDING OR INCOMPLETE/REPEAT TRAVERSE OF SHOULDER BELT ON PASSIVE RESTRAINT. (SERVICE PROCEDURE, REFERENCE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN 93-C-57). *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1990Viewing253359.8
1989152150.2
1988134262.9
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.