RoadVitals

1990 Chevrolet Lumina Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
21
Latest Mar 23, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 427 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Electrical
Filed Apr 22, 2002

EXCESSIVE MAGNETIC FIELDS

NHTSA ID
9005228
Electrical
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
8007969
Incident
Apr 5, 2002
Electrical
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
8007968
Incident
Apr 5, 2002
Electrical
Filed Apr 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

NHTSA ID
8007112
Electrical
Filed Jan 29, 2002

DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. SINCE THAT TIME HORN WILL ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER PRESSING ANY BUTTON. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003048
Incident
Apr 15, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jan 17, 2001
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
878318
Incident
Jan 16, 2000
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2000
Crash reported

ON MAY 8, 2000, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SHOP. REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER SWITCH WHICH ACTUATES SEVERAL FUNCTIONS. ON MAY 13, 2000, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A 1-CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED DUE TO THE FRONT BOLTS ON THE ENGINE CARRIAGE DETACHING FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE ENGINE DROPPED AND THE STEERING FAILED. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED IN A REPORT THAT IT APPEARED THESE BOLTS HAD BEEN LOOSENED AND WITHDRAWN SEVERAL INCHES RECENTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, LEAVING ONLY A FRACTION OF AN INCH ENGAGED IN THE RETAINERS ABOVE IN THE FRAME, THEREBY LEADING TO THE FAILURE. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE STARTER DID THIS AS A SHORTCUT WHEN HE REPLACED THE STARTER. SINCE THIS IS DENIED BY THE DEALER, I AM BEING FORCED TO TAKE THEM TO COURT AT THE PRESENT TIME.

NHTSA ID
727267
Incident
May 13, 2000
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 3, 2000
Fire reported

HAD INSTALLED AN ALARM SYSTEM. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER IT WAS SHORTING OUT, AND BLOWING FUSES. REPLACED FUSES. COUPLE DAYS LATER AFTER REPLACING FUSES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
857871
Incident
Dec 31, 1999
Electrical
Filed Mar 2, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857771
Incident
Feb 9, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 1999

VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE ECM PROMT IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *AK

NHTSA ID
838969
Incident
May 24, 1999
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL BEING ACTIVATED WHENEVER TURN SIGNAL IS BEING USED. ALSO, THIS SAME CONDITION CAUSES THE HORN TO BLOW OUT, AND SHORT OUT FUSES. DEALER /MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
835690
Incident
Aug 10, 1998
BrakesElectricalFuel system+2 more
Filed Feb 5, 1999
Crash reported

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE I OWN THE CAR. DEALER REPLACED GAS TANK ONCE, BUT IT WAS WITH A RUSTY TANK, PROBLEMS WITH SAFETY BELTS GOING OUT OF SHAPE, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES NOT WORKING OR CRUMBLING. NEED REPLACEMENT OFTEN. SEE OTHER ISSUES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195R14 )

NHTSA ID
702966
Incident
Feb 3, 1999
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 1998

BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP, ROTORS ARE WARPED AND PADS ARE WORN.

NHTSA ID
537909
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 1996

ECM UNIT FAILED.

NHTSA ID
602291
Incident
May 14, 1996
Electrical
Filed Oct 23, 1996

HORN FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ID
601940
Incident
Jan 30, 1996
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 4, 1996

FRONT STRUTS REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA ID
508284
Incident
Aug 27, 1996
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 22, 1995

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TT

NHTSA ID
972353
Incident
Sep 22, 1995
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 1995

WHEN DRIVING CAR STALLS REPLACED THE ENGINE AND OTHER THING WRONG. TT

NHTSA ID
971946
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 21, 1995

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, PREVENTING BRAKE LIGHTS FROM GOING OFF.

NHTSA ID
482449
Incident
Jan 1, 1989
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 6, 1995

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED INADEQUATE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, WHEN PEDAL GOES TOO FAR DOWN, THEN CONTINUES TO ROLL FORWARD UNTIL FINALLY STOPS. TT

NHTSA ID
961165
Incident
Nov 1, 1994

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .