AI Damage1993 Pontiac Lemans: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Pontiac Lemans filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 22% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 8 complaints (44% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (22% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (22% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Driver put vehicle in reverse and the vehicle took off all by itself. The vehicle took off which caused the driver to go into a wall.
Car was in an accident and the front driver,passenger and the rear driver side seat belt didn't retract no one in car. Tt
The passenger front wheel keeps wearing out the struts and brakes due to a defected part in wheel mechanism. Please provide any further information. Ts
Also, when consumer turned car on the starter hesitated/thermostat light and check engine light come on. Starter will turn over at times/ it is not starting, and thermostat is not regestering the engine running hot.
Also, when consumer turned vehicle on, starter hesitatedto turn over/ engine check light comes on, and thermostat not registering that engine overheated.
Owner was driving down the expressway at 65 mph and the hood flew open and broke windshield and dented roof.
In cold weather the seat belt retractor stopped workng , please describe.
Brake calipers were sticking; calipers, rotors and drums replaced; rotors undersized/drums oversized; excessive wear and tear. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,624 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lemans has 17 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 18, about average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Pontiac Lemans?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (28%), hesitation when accelerating (17%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Pontiac Lemans?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1993 Pontiac Lemans from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1993 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.