Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Pontiac Lemans. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Pontiac Lemans,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1967–1993 with 41 recall campaigns and 172 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1978 (7), 1980 (4), and 1979 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1991 (35), 1993 (32), and 1990 (31).
Top recall themes: Steering and suspension, Brakes, and Seats and restraints.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Seat belts, Seat belts:front:retractor, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Steering and suspension
7 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1973–1974, 1977–1981
These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Pontiac Lemans in NHTSA complaint data are
Seat belts, Seat belts:front:retractor, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1993
1
32
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, Seat belts.
1992
1
28
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Exterior lighting:headlights:switch, Power train:driveline:constant velocity joint.
1991
2
35
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seat belts:front:retractor, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components.
1990
2
31
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Power train:automatic transmission.
1989
1
20
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc, Electrical system:ignition.
1988
3
24
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:webbing, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
1981
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
7
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1977
3
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield, Tires:tread/belt.
1976
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1974
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1973
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1971
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1968
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1967
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Seat belts
, Service brakes
and Suspension
Show recall evidence by year
1993
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1992
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1991
Seat belts: Buckle assembly:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1990
Seat belts: Buckle assembly:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1989
Seat belts: Buckle assembly:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The safety belt buckle assemblies may not latch or may not release due to the fracture of the red release push button.
1988
Fuel system, gasoline: Filler pipe and cap:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
1980
Visibility: Glass, side/rear:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear glass.
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes woul
1979
Visibility: Glass, side/rear:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear glass.
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes woul
1978
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The rear brake wheel cylinder retainer on the involved vehicles may not have been properly installed. Should the wheel cylinder retainer become completely disengaged, the wheel cylinder could move outboard causing a loss of brake fluid and a loss of rear braking action.
Seats: Head restraint:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Incorrect head restraints may have been installed on the involved vehicles. This fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impacts".
Engine and engine cooling: Fan:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments woul
Suspension: Wheel bearing:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain driving conditions, these vehicles can experience temperatures in the front wheel outer bearing area which can affect the wheel bearing grease. This can result in inadequate lubrication of the bearing. This condition may be further aggravated by improper adjustment of the front whee
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes woul
1977
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On the involved vehicles, the incorrect steering linkage assembly may have been installed. As a result, the right-hand steering tie rod might interfere with the intermediate rod. This could cause the connection to fail due to excessive stress at that point.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The rear axle shafts may contain a flaw in the metal. This flaw could allow the shaft to break and the tire and wheel assembly to separate.
1976
Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Disc:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
