RoadVitals

1990 Chevrolet Lumina Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 3, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 427 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 427 · page 1 of 18

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
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2004

THE BRAKES LIGHTS DID NOT WORK, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE CASE WAS CLOSED. RECALL 1990. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10094169
Incident
Sep 21, 2004
Mileage
121,994 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 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

NHTSA ID
10091281
Incident
Sep 18, 2004
Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2004

TWICE I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES IN UNDER 2 YEARS DUE TO RR CALIPER WEARING OUTSIDE PAD. MY MECHANIC SAID SLIDERS FREE, HOSE IS GOOD AND E-BRAKE NOT STICKING ON. HE SAID THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CALIPER THAT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10090926
Incident
Sep 4, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Feb 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING REAR CRADLE BOLTS CORRODED AND SNAPPED OFF. REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE IT SNAPPED IN HALF. ONLY THE FRONT CRADLE BOLTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL 00V189000. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10059428
Incident
Feb 18, 2004
Mileage
127,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I FEEL DUPPED BY THE CHEVY CORP. THERE ARE SO MANY LUMINAS IN MY AREA ALONE THAT HAVE THIS PEELING PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THIS IS NOT AN AGING PROBLEM AS CHEVY IS TRYING TO CONVINCE EVERYONE, IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH THE AGE OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE PAINT THAT IS REMAINING IS NEW LOOKING AND VERY SHINY. I HAVE SEEN AGING PAINT THAT CRACKS. THIS IS A BUBBLE & PEELING PROBLEM, MOSTLY IN A VERTICLE DIRECTION. IT IS A DISTINCT LOOK. IN ONE WEEK I SAW 3 WHITE LUMINAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW DARE CHEVY NOT TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. A SIMPLE PAINT JOB WOULD SERVICE ALL COMPLAINTS. I HAPPEN TO LIKE MY LUMINA BUT I WOULD NEVER BUY A CHEVY PRODUCT EVER EVER AGAIN AND MY PEELING LUMINA IS A ADVERTISEMENT FOR AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT SEES MY CAR GETS A CLEAR MESSAGE OF WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCT CHEVY MAKES. YOUR COMPANY IS CERTAINLY AWARE OF THIS PAINT PROBLEM BECAUSE I SEE MANY CARS IN MY AREA ALONE WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHAT A DISGRACE FOR CHEVY TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. I AM EMBARASSED TO RIDE IN MY CAR!!!!!!!

NHTSA ID
10070353
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jan 6, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE BRAKING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE SPENT $1500.00 IN REPAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10046389
Incident
Nov 3, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2003

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A DEFECT WITH THE REAR CRADLE WHERE 1 OR BOTH REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CRADLE IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THE ENGINE MOUNTING, AND THE STEERING INTERMIDIATE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR, CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10046488
Mileage
124,800 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 15, 2003

WHILE TURNING IN ANY DIRECTION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WOULD BE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN RECALL 97V05800, BUT THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10043998
Incident
Sep 22, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10031519
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Body & structureSeat belts
Filed Jul 23, 2003

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUD. SHE THEN TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKEN AND WAS RESTING ON THE ROAD. HAD SHE BEEN GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE: ONE FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS, AND ONE FOR THE SEATBELTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 1990 CHEVY LUMINA SEDAN. VIN # [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10029012
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Mileage
142,556 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 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

NHTSA ID
10022201
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE RIGHT CRADDLE BOLT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10021887
Incident
May 29, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Apr 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 LISTED IN THE VISC THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016336
Incident
Apr 16, 2003
Mileage
126,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Mar 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

NHTSA ID
10008330
Incident
Dec 4, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jan 28, 2003
Crash reported

SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. TS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10004836
Incident
Jan 12, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 16, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND WENT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER LOOKED AT TIRE AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS LAYING OUTWARD AWAY FROM VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ID
8020925
Incident
Oct 15, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Oct 8, 2002

ENGINE CRADLE BROKE. DEALER REPLACE JUST ONE BOLT SINCE THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. RECALL ID 10946-00-V-189000 03-JUL-2000. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8020444
Incident
Oct 8, 2002

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.

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