1990 Pontiac Lemans: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Pontiac Lemans: 2 recalls, 25 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #93V154000 · 1993 · 182,045 vehicles
What's wrong: The safety belt buckle assemblies May not latch or May not release due to the fracture of the red release push button.
Why it matters: 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 fix: Replace or repair the safety belt buckles.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #94V248000 · 1994 · 91,275 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition can prevent a person from using theirrestraint system resulting in an increased risk of injury in an accident.
The fix: Dealers will lubricate the track system on these vehicles.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E043000 · 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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 fix: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (4): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Pontiac Lemans has 25 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Lemans model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 22). Complaints peaked in 1995 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (24 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | 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 1990 Pontiac Lemans.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 Pontiac Lemans have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Pontiac Lemans, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 1990 Pontiac Lemans problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (8), brakes (hydraulic) (6), transmission & drivetrain (4).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Pontiac Lemans get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Pontiac Lemans 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.