1988 Pontiac Lemans Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and suspension (3). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts7 54%
- Brakes3 23%
- Suspension3 23%
- Engine cooling2 15%
- Fuel system2 15%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Equipment1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #974276, filed 1995-10Suspension: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #836981, filed 1999-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Pontiac Lemans version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemans FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Lemans FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Lemans FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Lemans FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V154000Sep 21, 1993Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Pontiac Lemans 1988–1991
The safety belt buckle assemblies may not latch or may not release due to the fracture of the red release push button.
- 88V163000Oct 18, 1988Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Pontiac Lemans 1988
Seat belt buckles may not properly latch allowing the latch plate to be removed from the buckle without pressing the release button.
- 88V094000Jun 14, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Pontiac Lemans 1988
Fuel filler neck may have been incompletely welded, allowing fuel to leak from the neck assembly.
Recall details for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans.
Other model years of the Pontiac Lemans
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 18 | — | 1 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | — | 2 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 25 | — | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 13 | — | 3 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Lemans model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Pontiac Lemans have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Lemans as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Pontiac Lemans is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1988 Pontiac Lemans been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Pontiac Lemans get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Pontiac Lemans (Lemans, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.