RoadVitals

1997 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.
347
Latest Nov 13, 2019
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.
2
Latest Mar 12, 2007
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.
2
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.
43
28 injuries, 7 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 347 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina, most frequently naming the steering, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 58 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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
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
03V527000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Dec 11, 2003
750,283 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03062View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA03019ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

Opened Sep 15, 2003
Closed Dec 18, 2003

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

STEERINGLed to recall 03V527000
RQ03001ClosedRecall Query

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

Opened Jan 2, 2003
Closed Sep 15, 2003

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 347
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Nov 13, 2019
Fire reported

I'M DRIVING AND MY STEERING IS TIGHT AND WHEN TURNING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE ITS PARK. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL LIKE SOME THING BURNING

NHTSA ID
11279829
Incident
Nov 11, 2019
Mileage
189,632 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2016

DASHBOARD COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS DETACHED/PULLED AWAY AND BUCKLED UP FROM THE FOAM AIR BAG CASING. GM/CHEVROLET WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM VIA PHONE. THE RESPONSE GIVEN BY GM/CHEVROLET REPRESENTATIVE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS TOO OLD TO WARRANT THEIR ATTENTION/REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE AND PAINT IT AT COST AND04/16/2012 LABOR PAID BY CUSTOMER. AUTO INSURANCE HAS REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE, BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID
10935984
Incident
Apr 16, 2012
Steering
Filed Aug 3, 2016

KEY STUCK IN ON POSITION WILL NOT ALLOW ENGINE TO BE TURNED OFF IN EITHER PARK OR NEUTRAL. WILL TURN TOWARDS START. CAR WILL DRIVE BUT UNABLE TO TURN CAR OFF UNLESS POWER IS UNPLUGGED FROM STEERING COLUMN. WAS AT WORK WITH NO WAY TO TURN CAR OFF HAD TO LEAVE RUNNING TILL POWER WAS DISCONNECTED. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE REPORTED FOR THE 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA ID
10892809
Incident
Aug 2, 2016
Mileage
1,678,790 mi
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2016
Crash reported

MY SON WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
10865723
Incident
May 18, 2016
Mileage
165,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2015
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DAY ANOTHER DRIVER HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR CLOSE TO THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE THIS HIT CAUSED ME TO NO LONGER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
10744803
Incident
Jul 24, 2014
Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,890.

NHTSA ID
10638773
Incident
Sep 15, 2014
Mileage
228,890 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 6, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DRIVING HOME. CRASHED. POLICE REPORT IS IDENTICAL TO STEERING RECALL. WHICH NEVER WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN NUMBER I HAVE AT HOME. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I SMASHED INTO A CULVERT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10619285
Incident
Jul 19, 2013
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jul 25, 2014
1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING HOME VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD LOST CONTROL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SPUN IN CIRCLES UNTIL FINALLY HITTING A CONCRETE CULVERT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I BROKE 4 VERTEBRAES 7 RIBS AND RECEIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. COULDN'T EVEN RECALL MY PARENTS FOE MONTHS OR EVEN THEY LIVED TOGETHER . LAID IN THE CAR TIL PARAMEDIC FOUND ME ABOUT AN HOR LATER. THE AIRBAG WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT HEAD INJURY. THE 1997 CHEVY LUMINA FAILED HORRIBLY. PLUS TENDAYS IN A COMA LOST A $50 K YR JOB AND SENT TO A NURSING HOME TO SPEND MY 33RD,THANKSGND CHRISTMAS IN UNTIL I WAS RELEASED FROM GUARDIANSHIP. 12/30/13 PLEASE HELP! HOW IS THE 1997 MALIBU DIFFERENT THAN ALL THE LUMINAS RECALLS? SAME YEAR. GM ISTRYING TO CUT THERE COSTS OH BUT THEY MESSED UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616176
Incident
Jul 19, 2013

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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
1997Viewing3472258.7
19962453462.1
19954927055.0
19941262048.7
19932433159.2
19923424259.4
19913526964.2
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.