RoadVitals

1992 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.
36
Latest Feb 10, 2013
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.
11%
of 342 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.
3
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 1992 Chevrolet Lumina submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 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

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2013

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER PARKED LESS THEN 2 HOURS. THE SPARK PLUGS WORKED FINE, WITH SUFFICIENT SPARK. THE COMPRESSION WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL OF FUNCTION. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE FUEL INJECTORS TO BE STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN (FULL THROTTLE) POSITION. WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE FLOODED, PREVENTING IGNITION. AFTER A LONG DAY OF TRYING TO FIND A REASON, THE CAUSE WAS FOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS A METAL RETAINING BRACKET FOR THE WIRING SYSTEM THAT HAD WORN THROUGH THE COATING OF THE WIRE CONTROLLING THE INJECTOR POSITION/FUNCTION. THIS CAUSED IT TO GROUND ITSELF THROUGH THE METAL BRACKET, WHICH IS WHY IT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE BRACKET THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM IS MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE ON THE SERPENTINE BELT SIDE, BEHIND THE BELT. BETWEEN AC COMPRESSOR AND ALTERNATOR. SOLVED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DAMAGED WIRES AND BRACKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10497638
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
128,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2001

THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING WHENEVER CONSUMER TURNED WHEEL EITHER DIRECTION. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
886388
Incident
Apr 20, 2001
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 28, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS OUT EITHER WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OR ACCELERATING. DEALER HAS REPLACED SPARK PLUG WIRES, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
881755
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2000
Fire reported

HAD JUST WASHED & DRIED VEHICLE & TURNED VEHICLE ON. A RACK GEAR BROKE OFF WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. IT REMAINED ON & THEN STARTED TO BURN. FLAMES & SMOKE FILLED VEHICLE. WAS COMING FROM DASHBOARD AREA. OWNER PUT FLAMES OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ID
875950
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Apr 8, 2000

ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
784605
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. DRIVER GOT INTO THE CAR AND PUT KEY INSIDE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STARTED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. SPARKS OF FLAMES CAME OUT AND IGNITED A FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
857530
Incident
Feb 24, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 24, 2000

IGINITON LOCK IS HARD TO START DUE TO GREASE THAT THICKENS WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
855400
Incident
Jan 22, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jul 27, 1999

WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED IT OVERHEATS AND SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
843568
ElectricalEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Jul 7, 1999

TRANSAXLE LEAKING. NLM

NHTSA ID
546464
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 1999

ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES SINCE OCT OF 1994. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. PLEASE! COULD NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR GIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
839813
Incident
Jun 14, 1999
Electrical
Filed Sep 24, 1998

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
828173
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 1998

ONLY HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON 3 ALTERNATORS, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THE DOOR LOCKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT NOTICE.

NHTSA ID
540227
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 1998

WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING SMOKE.

NHTSA ID
534114
Incident
Mar 19, 1998
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 8, 1998

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.

NHTSA ID
533886
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 4, 1998

ALTERNATOR FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ID
529889
Electrical
Filed Oct 7, 1997

THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES SINCE MAY OF 96; IN JUNE & OCTOBER OF 96/IN MAY OF 97, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS BURNED ALL (3) TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
816929
Incident
Jun 6, 1996
Electrical
Filed Sep 2, 1997

INSERTED KEY TO START VEHICLE; DID NOT TURN OVER; WAITED & THEN TRIED AGAIN; VEHICLE TURNED OVER. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED GM HAD PROBLEMS W/STARTER & HOW TO FIX IT. MECHANIC SAID IT'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE IT DRAINS THE BATTERY. *AK

NHTSA ID
816940
Incident
Nov 28, 1992
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 1997

ELECTRICAL: DRIVING VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKING AND BURNING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL . *AK

NHTSA ID
815409
Incident
Aug 15, 1997
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 1997

ELECTRICAL, IGNITION SWITCH: WHILE TURNING KEY TO START CAR LARGE PUFF OF SMOKE COMES OUT THROUGH THE COLUMN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE IS IN FOR REPAIR, BUT DEALER DOES NOT KNOW CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
809354
Incident
Feb 10, 1997
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 19, 1997

ELECTRICAL SHORT. (2ND VEHICLE ON 514868)

NHTSA ID
602873
Incident
Feb 9, 1997
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jan 16, 1997

BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
525789
Incident
Oct 26, 1996
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jan 9, 1997

LOOSE CLAMP ON RADIATOR.

NHTSA ID
513489
Incident
Jan 6, 1992
Electrical
Filed Sep 23, 1996

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.THE VEHICLE STALLS PERIODICALLY, USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO MAKE A TURN.

NHTSA ID
802802
Incident
Jun 15, 1995
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 1996

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR (4) TIMES SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST (6) MONTHS AND EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT.*AK

NHTSA ID
802430
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 1996

WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL RUBS AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE BRAKES TO LET GO. *DH

NHTSA ID
506841
Incident
Jan 15, 1996

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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .