RoadVitals

1991 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.
352
Latest Feb 7, 2011
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.
6
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.
9
1 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.
30
13 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 352 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 9 NHTSA investigations name it; and 10 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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
DELPHIView 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

Safety investigations

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

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
PE94063ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

Opened Aug 12, 1994
Closed Dec 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 352
Filed Feb 7, 2011

MY CAR KEEPS STALLING OR DYING EVERYTIME I TAKE OFF OR APPLY THE BRAKES IT'S ALMOST AS IF IT'S NOT GOING INTO GEAR. IT WILL DIE ON ME GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IF I HIT MY BRAKES. *LN

NHTSA ID
10381064
Incident
Feb 7, 2011
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Dec 22, 2010

I WAS DRIVING AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 35 MPH WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK UNDER THE CAR AND AT THAT POINT I LOST ALL STEERING AN WAS TRAVELING TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT STILL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED...WE FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS HAD BROKEN AND SNAPPED THE STEERING. THIS WAS A 1991 CHEVY 2 DOOR LUMINA AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP... THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SOMEHOW THE NHTSA AND GENERAL MOTORS MISSED MY VIN NUMBER IN THE RECALL. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR..WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ONLY SOME VEHICLES WERE IDENTIFIED IN THIS SAFETY RECALL WHEN SO MANY MORE ARE EFFECTED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10372095
Incident
Dec 21, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 18, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE REAR CRADLE RETAINER PULLED THROUGH AND THE STEERING DISCONNECTED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE SUB FRAME DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V189000- STRUCTURE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

NHTSA ID
10350364
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
131,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA. DURING AN INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME BUSHING WAS MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REFERENCED RECALL # 00V189000 (STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000.

NHTSA ID
10193614
Incident
Jun 15, 2007
Mileage
168,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 12, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS HAVING OCCURRED DUE TO A MISSING CRADLE BOLT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL 097V05800 & RECALL 00V189000 WERE ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY ADVISED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187682
Incident
Nov 20, 2006
Mileage
127,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00V189000 INDICATING THE VEHICLES WHO OPERATED IN SALT BELT STATES WERE AFFECTED DUE TO CORROSION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE OPERATED IN MICHIGAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, WHO CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ID
10176149
Incident
Nov 25, 2006
Mileage
127,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V189000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ID
10176144
Incident
Nov 15, 2006
Mileage
127,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2006
Fire reported

1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 50 MPH. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER GETTING BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT BURNED ALONG WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUNK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10166910
Incident
Jul 3, 2006

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

676001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (REPLACE PCV HARNESS). *TW

577106A

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

577106A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *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
1991Viewing3526964.2
199042791563.6
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.