Chevrolet LUMINA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,022 owner complaints analyzed
29 distinct recall campaigns
91,501 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 362 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 161 of 2,022 complaints (8.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 687 | 34.0% |
| Steering behavior | 259 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 80 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 77 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 56 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 53 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 161 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 134 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 116 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 89 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 83 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 81 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 75 |
| Steering | 69 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 161; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 134; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 116; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 89; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 83; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 81; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 75; Steering: 69
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 83 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 66 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 103 |
| 150,000 and above | 60 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 83; 75,000 to 99,999: 66; 100,000 to 149,999: 103; 150,000 and above: 60
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (103). 1,660 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 479 |
| 1996 | 250 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 202 |
| 2002 | 196 |
| 2003 | 176 |
| 2004 | 156 |
| 2005 | 64 |
| 2006 | 38 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
1995: 479; 1996: 250; 2000: 311; 2001: 202; 2002: 196; 2003: 176; 2004: 156; 2005: 64; 2006: 38; 2007: 24; 2008: 25; 2009: 20; 2010: 14; 2011: 11; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 14; 2015: 4; 2016: 14; 2017: 7; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 687 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 259 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 80 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008330 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)
I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 90 CHEVROLET LUMINA . THE CALIPERS AND PADS BOTH HAVE BEEN REPLACED TOO MANY TIMES. MY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT WORK RIGHT. ALSO THE CLEAR COAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF FOR YEARS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022201 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING 50-55 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOORBOARD AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863081 · 2000-06-06 (June 6, 2000)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. INSPECTOR NOTICED COOLANT AND OIL LEAKING FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD. AND ALSO STEERING RACK STARTED TO LEAK FLUID.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016336 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
I OWN A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA 3.1L SEDAN AND HAD THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS FALL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO DISCONNECT SO THAT I LOST STEERING CONTROL. I CALLED 2 DEALERS AND THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE AND ALL OF THEM DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A GM DOCUMENT THAT STATED THE VEHICLES THAT WERE COVERED IN THE RECALL AND MINE FIT RIGHT INTO THE RANGE OF VIN NUMBERS LISTED. AFTER CALLING THEM AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY HAD FOUND THE LIST THAT I HAD, BUT SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT L…
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091281 · 2004-09-19 (September 19, 2004)
WITH ENGINE COLD, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. UNFORTUNATELY THIS ONLY OCCURS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND USUALLY IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT MY WORK! THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE PREDICTED!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854982 · 2000-01-14 (January 14, 2000)
WHEN TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED A CLOKE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MOUNTS WHICH SUPPORT THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FORWARD. ALSO NOTED THE ISSUANCE OF RECALL 97V058000 INVOLVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER WANTS OWNER TO PAY FOR REPAIR COSTS. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851201 · 2016-03-23 (March 23, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE EXPOSED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ON FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO GET THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO WORK EXCEPT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT UPON MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 211,591 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007112 · 2002-04-09 (April 9, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A SMELL OF SMOKE. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE HEADLIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007969 · 2002-04-18 (April 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE FUEL TANK HAS SHORTED OUT AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT SIDE KICK PANEL SHORTED WIRE AT CONNECTOR BETWEENT THE FUEL PUMP WIRE AND BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS ALSO CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878318 · 2001-01-17 (January 17, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT, CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION SWITCH. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, FIREMAN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION SWITCH BURNT OUT, DEALER WILL NOT HELP WITH REPAIR. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007968 · 2002-04-18 (April 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD WORK ERRATICALLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM LS KICK PANEL SHORTED WIRE BETWEEN FUEL PUMP AND BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER REWIRED LIGHTS AND FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007968 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
1992: 2; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 6; 1996: 2; 1997: 1; 1998: 3; 1999: 2; 2000: 5; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2008: 0