RoadVitals

1990 Chevrolet Lumina

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
427
Latest Mar 23, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
15
2 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
32
16 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 427 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and steering categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 15 NHTSA investigations name it; and 8 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The 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.
The 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 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V189000

STRUCTURE

Jul 11, 2000
713,435 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
The risk: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00061/00065View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ99002OpenRecall Query

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Opened Mar 4, 1999

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINELed to recall 97V058000
RQ97017OpenRecall Query

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Opened Oct 2, 1997

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 97V058000
RP01001ClosedRecall Process

STRUCTURE

Opened Nov 28, 2001
Closed Jun 13, 2002

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 00V189000
EA00011ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Opened Apr 10, 2000
Closed Jan 12, 2001

THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 00V189000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 427
Body & structureElectricalSeat belts+1 more
Filed Mar 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 WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN AND A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 91V005000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 90V054000 (SEAT BELTS). AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM THAT AN INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,591.

NHTSA ID
10851201
Incident
Mar 16, 2016
Mileage
211,591 mi
Steering
Filed May 30, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO A DRIVEWAY. UPON INSPECTION, THE SHAFT BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS OBSERVED TO BE DETACHED. WHEN THE RACK AND PINION WAS REASSEMLED IT APPEARED TO BE VERY LOOSE. THE CONTACT IS A PRIVATE MECHANIC BY TRADE.

NHTSA ID
10158536
Incident
May 29, 2006
Body & structure
Filed May 9, 2006

I HAD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION STOP SIGN. I WHEN TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE FRAME OF THE CAR JUST FELL APART AND I HAD NO STEERING. I ENDED UP IN A PERSONS YARD. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN HEAVY TRAFFIC OF IF I HAD GOTTEN TO THE EXPRESSWAY AS I HAD PLANNED, THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE KILLED ME OR PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND AT THIS TIME HAVE NOT MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157103
Incident
May 5, 2006
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE FILLING THE RADIATOR WITH ANTI-FREEZE A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE PART. WHILE LOCATING A REPLACEMENT PART IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR WAS THE INCORRECT TYPE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED WITH A 1993 MODEL RADIATOR BY THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID
10153637
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Mileage
100,100 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2005

DT:THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V189000 CONCERNING FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED, AND THE FRAME DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ALSO, THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED AND BROKE. HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT COST. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THEY STATED THE REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED THE COST OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10140893
Incident
Oct 13, 2005
Mileage
174,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE: 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA, [XXX] 1. OCTOBER 2, 2000: VEHICLE WAS EXITING SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT ON DUKE RD. IN CHEEKTOWAGA, NY. 2. VEHICLE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS FAIL, CAUSING STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM STEERING GEAR, VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND NEARLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH. 3. OCTOBER 3, 2000: VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY JIM MAZZ AUTO INC. IN BUFFALO, NY (ENGINE CRADLE, BOLTS, BUSHINGS, STEERING COLUMN) 4. NOVEMBER 2000: GM RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR VEHICLE RELATING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V189000 5. NOVEMBER 2000 - PRESENT: SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FROM GM FOR PART FAILURE THAT OCCURRED BEFORE RECALL. ORIGINAL CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. CURRENT CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. 6. MAY 2001: VEHICLE TRADED IN TO GILLOGLY CHEVROLET, WEST SENECA, NY FOR PURCHASE OF 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10128572
Incident
Oct 2, 2000
Mileage
94,084 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH, THE REAR BACK WINDOW/GLASS AND IT'S MOLDING EXPLODED OUTWARDS INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE WINDOW/GLASS WASN'T PROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10096886
Incident
Oct 14, 2004
Mileage
27,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 6, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT ROLLED OVER TWICE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10095294
Incident
Sep 5, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01880

POWER TRAIN

NO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT

990309004

SUSPENSION

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

CAMP/90C39A

WHEELS

RECALL 90-C-39A - SUPPLEMENTAL LETTER ADDING VEHICLES TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL 90-C-39. *TW

133405

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

REAR STRUT RELATED THUMPING/SQUEAKING NOISE. *TW

435012A

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Lumina by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2008100—
2002010—
2001214044.5
2000306156.3
19991033159.2
19982234357.2
19973472258.7
19962453462.1
19954927055.0
19941262048.7
19932433159.2
19923424259.4
19913526964.2
1990Viewing42791563.6
1989005—
1988005—
1987102—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.