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1991 Pontiac LeMans

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 LeMans.

Defined by an engine requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, the 1991 Pontiac LeMans presents researchers with a straightforward mechanical baseline that is heavily overshadowed by its reliability concerns. This specific model year generated 34 total owner complaints and 3 recalls, with the seat belts representing the top complaint area for the vehicle. When viewed against the broader 1990-1993 model history, 1991 stands as the highest year for owner issues compared to the lowest in 1992 with just 25 complaints, meaning this iteration serves as the most problematic benchmark in the early-nineties lineup.

Model year1993 1992 1991 1989 1988 1981 1980 1979 1978

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175
Engine air filter	93152971 discontinued
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued
Spark plug	05613932
Front wiper blades	90449728 discontinued
Serpentine belt	90299543 alt 90299503
Thermostat	03038094 alt 90096383

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data shows the 1991 Pontiac LeMans tied with the 1993 model for the generation's highest complaint total at 34, up from 29 in 1990 and well above the 1992 low of 25. Recalls held steady at three and investigations remained at three from 1990, levels that would fall to two recalls and two investigations in 1992 and then to two recalls and one investigation in 1993, placing 1991 at the peak of regulatory activity before a clear downward trend. Within those 34 complaints, 14 concerned seat belts, four concerned service brakes, hydraulic, two concerned suspension, and two concerned engine and engine cooling, alongside three crash-related and two fire-related complaints; the data does not specify underlying causes for these concentrations. Technical service bulletins also doubled from one in 1990 to two in 1991 and remained there, confirming that 1991 sits at the generation's peak for combined owner reports and manufacturer advisories. Given that the federal record improves markedly in 1992, the 1991 model is not the strongest year to buy, and prospective owners would be better served by the lower-complaint 1992 example.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91’92 ’93

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts14

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Suspension2

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Power Train2

Electrical System1

Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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… Remedy: 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…

94V248000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 23/12/1994

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. Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
130089009	2013-09-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
588101	1995-02-01	Seat Belts	CHATTERING, BINDING OR INCOMPLETE/REPEAT TRAVERSE OF SHOULDER BELT ON PASSIVE RESTRAINT…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LeMans. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 93152971 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 05613932

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 LeMans take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 LeMans have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.