1988 Pontiac Lemans

○ Not enough data

1988 Pontiac Lemans
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:39:42.484Z

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1988: 13 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	0
1988	13
1989	15
1990	25
1991	24
1992	21
1993	18

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 13 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SEAT BELTS

7 of 13 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE SEAT BELT COME OUT OF BUCKLE WHEN CONSUMER WAS IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19951031

SEAT BELT FAILURE, SHOULDER BELT DID NOT KEEP DRIVER FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950522

SERVICE BRAKES

4 of 13 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

SUSPENSION

3 of 13 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 13 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.

POWER TRAIN

2 of 13 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing constant velocity joint and axle assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

TRANSAXLE FAILED, ALSO TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FAILED THREE TIMES, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. Z*SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950413

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880708 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL FILLER NECK MAY HAVE BEEN INCOMPLETELY WELDED, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE NECK ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 88V094000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19881129 — seat belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT PROPERLY LATCH ALLOWING THE LATCH PLATE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON.

Remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLES.

Campaign 88V163000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890412 — PE (closed 19891130)

INADEQUATE BRAKES

I 19910717 — PE (closed 19911104)

FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP

R 19931216 — seat belts

THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT LATCH OR MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE RED RELEASE PUSH BUTTON.

Remedy: REPLACE OR REPAIR THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.

Campaign 93V154000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Pontiac Lemans — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for seat belts issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for suspension issues (3 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 88V094000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 88V163000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 93V154000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1988 Pontiac Lemans reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Pontiac Lemans?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Pontiac Lemans have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.