Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Pontiac Lemans, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 8 | 28% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 24% |
| Power train | 4 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 7% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 complaint: Visibility
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 complaint: Power train
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 complaint: Electrical system
THE BRAKE CALIPER WILL STICK IN CLOSED POSITION AROUND THE BRAKE DRUM, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
FLOOR MOUNT SHIFT BECOMES SHAKY AND SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FLOOR MOUNT SHIFT BECOMES SHAKY AND SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DRIVER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 Pontiac Lemans. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CE
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.
Fix: 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).
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIRRESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.
THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT LATCH OR MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE RED RELEASE PUSH BUTTON.
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.
Fix: REPLACE OR REPAIR THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 8 of them (28%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.