1991 Chevrolet Lumina

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 352 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › caliper. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper42
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc33
501
Structure25
202
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components23
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum20
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor16
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip15
100
Structure › Frame and Members14
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine11
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

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.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

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.

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.

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).

Structure00V189000
Filed Jul 11, 2000713,435 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Risk. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Structure97V058000
Filed Apr 8, 1997676,535 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Seat Belts92V003000
Filed Jan 10, 1992347,866 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Risk. THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy. INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 7, 201198,000 milesMS

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

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 22, 201075,000 milesMI

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

Structure
Filed Aug 18, 2010131,000 milesWI

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.

Structure
Filed Jun 18, 2007168,000 milesNY

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 12, 2007127,000 milesMI

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

Structure
Filed Dec 14, 2006127,000 milesMI

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.

Steering
Filed Dec 14, 2006127,000 milesMI

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.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 22, 2006OH

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

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 29, 2005170,000 milesIN

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V058000 CONCERNING THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLING THROUGH THE RETAINER DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 20, 2005170,000 milesMO

DT: CONSUMER HAS A PRINTOUT OF THE NHTSA RECALL SHEET AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. THE BACK ENGINE CRADLE RETAINERS CAME OFF THE BOLTS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF A RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD AFTER PROVIDING THE VIN, THAT THERE WERE NO RECALL THAT CAME UP ON THERE SCREEN. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR IS SITTING AT A GM/CHEVEROLET DEALER RIGHT NOW. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL, BUT TURNED AND OFFERED A $1,000.00 CASH OR TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. YESTERDAY, ONE OF THE SALES PEOPLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND OFFERED TO SALE CONSUMER ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE BOLTS IN THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE, IT IS THE RETAINERS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 1, 2005MO

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA. HE STATES THAT THERE WAS RECALL 00V189000 CONCERNING ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS. THE SAME PROBLEM CONTACT ENCOUNTERED. THE RECALL STATED, THAT ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS. THE PROBLEM THE CONTACT HAD WAS THAT HIS RETAINERS ACTUALLY FELL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE HIS WIFE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CONTACT CALLED CHEVROLET, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Apr 18, 2005199,000 milesTX

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 15 MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE ALSO DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GARAGE, AND AN UPPER ROOM. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ONE OF TWO THINGS, EITHER FUEL LEAKAGE OR ELECTRICAL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK VEHICLE HAS HAD FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM REPAIRED IN 2001 AND 2002. RIGHT SIGNAL REPAIRED IN JAN. 2004, HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH REPAIRED IN APRIL FOR TEXAS INSPECTION. THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MAY. *BF *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 6, 2005IL

CRADLE WHICH HOLD THE CRADLE. *JB LOOSE RETAINERS AND BOLTS AROUND THE ENGINE CRADLE. REAR CRADLE BOLTS/WASHERS/BUSHINGS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CAUTIONED CUSTOMER NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TT

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 28, 2005NY

WHILE DRIVING THE CRADLE BOLT DISENGAGED, CAUSINGTHE ENGINE TO COM DROP OUT. RECALL NUMBER 97V058000/CRADLE WAS ISSUED. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 27, 2004147,000 milesMI

RECALL 00V18 000 CONCERNING CRADLE BOLTS. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONSUMER'S SON, WHO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CRADLE BOLT BROKE. THE LOCALE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH CONTACTED, AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 13, 2004WI

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S VIEW WHILE . DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Steering
Filed Aug 17, 2004256,000 milesMI

1. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. 2. LOUD THUD FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND TOTAL STEERING LOSS. 3. NOTHING. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 8, 200489,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 - 30 MPH ENTIRE FRAME AND THE MOTOR COLLAPSED ONTO THE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FRAME BUSHING RUSTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL VEHICLES.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed May 21, 2004110,000 milesNV

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 23, 2004DE

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

20 of 352 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20081000Routine
20020100Routine
200121400Routine
200030600Routine
1999103341Fatalities reported
1998223460Above average
1997347287Fatalities reported
1996245323Fatalities reported
1995492786Fatalities reported
1994126220Routine
19932433130Above average
19923424110Above average
1991 — this page352692Fatalities reported
1990427980Above average

Compare every Lumina year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.