1997 Chevrolet LUMINA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
249 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 80 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 249 complaints (14.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 75 | 30.1% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 12.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 8.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 37 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 12 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 37; Steering: 20; Air Bags: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 12; Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 10
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 169 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 36 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2002 | 37 |
| 2003 | 61 |
| 2004 | 47 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 36; 2001: 37; 2002: 37; 2003: 61; 2004: 47; 2005: 4; 2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 75 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 21 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000888 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
MY WIFE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL THAT SHE COULD SMELL WHILE BOTH IN HER VEHICLE DRIVING, AS WELL AS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE WAS OUTSIDE OF IT. I INVESTIGATED AND DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AS WELL. WE THEN HAD OUR MECHANIC INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM FURTHER AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, AS WELL AS, IN THE AREA OF THE TANK'S SEAM. THE MORE FUEL IN THE TANK, THE WORSE THE RELEASE OF FUEL VAPORS BECOMES, AS THE TANK ITSELF BECOMES SATURATED DUE TO THE SEVERE CORROSION. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001234 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER IT DID NOT APPLY TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 69,461 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001509 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
CONSUMER FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK IS DEGRADING BECAUSE SNOW, RAIN AND ROAD SALT ACCUMULATES ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. *JG *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001569 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WITH SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE OPENED UP AT FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT FOOT APPLIED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS THROWN OFF ROADWAY, CRASHING INTO A SCHOOL BUILDING. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS IN FULL OPEN POSITION. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002124 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002667 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CAR WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. COUPLE DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WENT CONPLETELY OUT. HEARD ON NEWS THERE WAS RECALL ON LUMINAS AND OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS, DEALER CLAIMS ITS ONLY ON LUMINA VANS.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003675 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004318 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE. *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004318 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V527000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗