1994 Chevrolet Lumina Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes4931.2%
- Electrical159.6%
- Body & structure138.3%
- Engine117.0%
- Suspension106.4%
- Seat belts106.4%
- Interior & seats95.7%
- Visibility85.1%
- Tires & wheels74.5%
- Steering63.8%
- Transmission53.2%
- Driver assistance53.2%
- Fuel system31.9%
- Heating & air conditioning21.3%
- Exterior lighting21.3%
- Powertrain (other)10.6%
- Airbags10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS. *TR
THE INCIDENT DATE THAT THIS OCCURRED ON WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED. I DROVE THIS CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND FASTENED SEAT BELT LIGHTS COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR THE PAST MONTH. WE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SNOW STORM, AND I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND NOTICED WHEN I HAD STOPPED AT A CONVENIENT STORE THAT THE BATTERY VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT HOME ,AND A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT, FASTEN SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND BATTERY VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON. AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND ETC WERE WORKING.*AK THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE IN THE PAST. I HAD GOT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND STARTER REPLACED, HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I WENT TO START IT AND SUPRISINGLY IT HAD STARTED. THE CAR DOES RUN EXCELLENT WHEN THIS UNEXPLAINABLE PROBLEM HAPPENS THOUGH.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUBFRAME ON 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA WITH 65,000 MILES RUSTED AND BROKE THROUGH. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT LINES SEPARATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT. *AK.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS. *TR
TIRE RUBBING INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE WELL FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. ONE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE REAR STRUTS. THAT DIDN'T HELP. THE NEXT SHOP CHANGED SOME KIND OF PADS OR BUSHINGS. THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN BACK BEHIND THE DRIVER. AS OF THIS DATE 08-29-03, NOONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP? *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT LOOSENS UP AS MOVEMENT IS MADE IN SEAT. FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT UNLESS BELTS WERE PUSHED DOWN INTO MECHANISM. DEALER HAD TO TAKE A PART THE SIDE PANEL AND PHYSICALLY REPLACE TWO BELTS. THE CHARGE $327.35. *AK *SLC
THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE. YH
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT DOOR HANDLES, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BROKEN. DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. PASSENGER DOOR OPENS ONLY FROM INSIDE. SIDE SLIDING DOOR AUTOMATIC OPERATION INOPERATIVE; DOORO OPENS OR CLOSES ONLY MANUALLY. REAR HATCH DOOR HANDLE HAS FALLEN APART NUMEROUS TIMES. A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH NO IMMEDIATE ESCAPE OPTION IS DEADLY BUSINESS.
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE OFF. THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND CONSUMER HAS TO CLIMB ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER FURTHER EXPLAINS THAT THE COUNTER WEIGHT ARM IS MADE OF ALUMINUM ALLOY ALLOWING FOR THE FREQUENT BREAKING. *TS *JG NLM
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING AND WATER WAS GETTING ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK *MR
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE FELL OUT OF ITS COMPLETELY RUSTED FASTENERS AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (NAR) *PH *CB
PROBLEMS WITH SPARE TIRE. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT IT'S COMPLETELY RUSTED FASTENERS. *TT *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE IDLER ARM BECAME DISCONNECTED. *JB
CONSUMER STATES HAS CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING PULLING EXCESSIVELY TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHELL CRACKED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,100.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AND WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GAS TANK RUSTED.
GAS TANK RUSTED, CAUSING LEAK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED INSIDE FRONT DASH/FLOORBOARDS.
CONSUMER HAS HAD A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PADS WEARING OUT, ALSO THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE BRAKES ALSO MAKE LOUD NOISE. *AK CONSUMER STATES ON ONE OCCASTION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AROUND CURVES, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALTERNATOR FAILED. AIR CONDITIONER WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. TIMING BELT FAILED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
AT 7,000 MILES THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED , AT 14,000 TOOK TO DEALER COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM AND AT 21,000 BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TURNED ROTOR AT 29,000 MILES, REPLACED ALL FOUR ROTORS. *AK DEFROSTER FAILED. WASHER INOPERATIVE. RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ICY ROADS LOST CONTROL HIT GUARD RAIL NON DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .