1997 Chevrolet Lumina complaints

WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET IT HAS A TENDENCY TO SLIDE OFF THE PULLEYS.*AK

POWER STERRING LOCKED UP. COULD NOT TURN LEFT. POWER STEERING FLUID ALL OVER THE ROCKER ARM AND GROUND.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD OF A FUEL GAUGE RECALL BUT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK *CB *NLM

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, OUR 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA'S HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT IS THE ONLY ONE TO GO-ON, THE TWO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T LIGHT; WHEN YOU GENTLY PUSH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER TOWARDS THE DRIVER W/ FOOT APPLIED ON BRAKE PEDAL, ONLY THEN DO ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT-UP...THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOW WE HAVE TO PAY A IND. GAS STATION TO REPLACE THE TURN-SIGNAL MODULE W/ LABOR.*AK

LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING SEPARATED ON VEHICLE. *MR BAD POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL. *TT *JB

WHILE DRIVING AND NO NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK, STARTED AGAIN, FAILED TO WORK, ETC.... DURING A DRIVE IN THE RAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY COMMUTER TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC AND PULL OVER WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

VEHICLE PAINT PEELING ON RIGHT REAR FENDER. *MR

BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND MAY 2003, I HAVE GONE THROUGH 4 BATTERIES AND 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL "SHORTS." EITHER THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, OR THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIM INDICATING A BATTERY DRAIN. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO, THE BATTERY WOULD BE COMPLETELY DRAINED, AND THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL. THE DEALER REPORTS FINDING PROBLEMS IN THE BATTERY CELLS AND SHORTS IN THE HARNESS UNDER THE DASH EACH TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *NLM

1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA , STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN TURNING LEFT . *NLM

I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA THAT MY STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN TURNING LEFT ONLY, I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY INDICATE THERE IS NOT A RECALL BUT READING YOUR WEB SITE A NOTICE WAS POSTED THAT GM WILL RECALL 1.5 MILLION VEHICLES FOR A STEERING PROBLEM CAMPAIGN ID02V286000, BUT GM WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THEM. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR TODAY. *NLM

INTAKE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKING, HAD TO TAKE TO MECHANIC AND HAVE REPAIRED. *JB

ALL ENGINE MOUNTS UPPER AND LOWER HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TIE-ROD ENDS, INNER & OUT. *JB

EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING ALL OVER. STARTED ON THE HOOD,THEN REAR LOWER DOOR BODY LINE, THEN BODY LINE ON TRUNK LID,THEN PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL BEHIND QUARTER GLASS WINDOW, THEN DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL FROM GAS LID OPENING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TAIL LIGHT AND STARTED AT BODY LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BUMPER.

OVER PAST FEW MONTHS VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED CONSIDERABLE PLAY IN STEERING WHEN WHEELS ARE TURNED HALF-WAY TO THE LEFT. WHEN HELD IN THIS POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OSCILLATE LEFT TO RIGHT 1 TO 2 INCHES. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SUDDENLY FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SIMILAR TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE. AFTER A SUBSEQUENT LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERED ITSELF TO THE LEFT APPROXIMATELY. 20 DEGREES OFF-CENTER. DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC IN TURNS. ALIGNMENT IS FINE. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING 1 YEAR AGO. VEHICLE RECEIVES REGULAR MAINTENANCE PER MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES. THE STEERING FAILURE IS CONSISTENT WITH DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 02-V-286-000. REPORTED THIS TO GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT BY THE VIN THE VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, AND THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE THERE IS NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS. I WORK WITH THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE COMMON PRACTICE OF PARTS SUBSTITUTION OR "APPROVED ENGINEERING DEVIATIONS". WHILE GM MAY NOT SHOW THE DEFECTIVE RACK & PINION BEARING ASSEMBLY ON THE BILL OF MATERIAL FOR THE 1997 LUMINA, IT IS EVIDENT FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT SEVERAL OF THE MODEL YEAR '97 LUMINA'S WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY. AT THE LEAST GM SHOULD RECALL THE 1997 LUMINA'S FOR DEALER INSPECTION AND REPAIR THOSE WITH DEFECTIVE BEARING ASSEMBLIES. *JB

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE, A 1997 LUMINA, EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE 1996 LUMINA. THE CONSUMER HAD THE RACK REPAIRED AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR. *AK *NLM

1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA STEERING PROBLEM. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING GEAR SEPARATED AND THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL ON CERTAIN 1996,19997 AND 1998 PONTIAC, GRAND PRIX/SUNFIRE AND TRANS AM VEHICLES REGARDING THE POWER STEERING GEAR SEPARATION. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *JB *TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *TS *JB

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL # 02-V-286-000 WHICH STATES THAT CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION AS STATED IN RECALL # 02 V 286 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

"GM SHOULD RECALL FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES". AS OF APRIL 10, 2002, THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AT THIS TIME, IS IT NOT EVEN KNOWN WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. BEING AWARE OF THIS PROVES THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED. BECAUSE OF APPARENT POOR ENGINEERING, GM CAN NOT MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENTS FAST ENOUGH FOR ALL THE VEHICLES IN WHICH THEY ARE NEEDED. INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE, PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800 USD (GIVE OR TAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEM(S) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK MAY HAVE PRODUCED. *NLM

POWER STEERING DEFECT ON 1997 CHEVY LUMNIA. I READ WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. MINE IS LEAKING AND GROWLING.*JB

THE VEHICLE HIT A DEER, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB

THE FRONT SUSPENSION MADE A POPPING NOISE, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ALLOWS DEXTOL ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO OTHER PARTS OF ENGINE. PH

THE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *JB

THE RACK AND PINION FAILED, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB

WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE. *PH *NLM

CAR WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. COUPLE DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WENT CONPLETELY OUT. HEARD ON NEWS THERE WAS RECALL ON LUMINAS AND OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS, DEALER CLAIMS ITS ONLY ON LUMINA VANS.

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN.*JB

CONSUMER FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK IS DEGRADING BECAUSE SNOW, RAIN AND ROAD SALT ACCUMULATES ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. *JG *JB *NLM

MY WIFE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL THAT SHE COULD SMELL WHILE BOTH IN HER VEHICLE DRIVING, AS WELL AS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE WAS OUTSIDE OF IT. I INVESTIGATED AND DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AS WELL. WE THEN HAD OUR MECHANIC INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM FURTHER AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, AS WELL AS, IN THE AREA OF THE TANK'S SEAM. THE MORE FUEL IN THE TANK, THE WORSE THE RELEASE OF FUEL VAPORS BECOMES, AS THE TANK ITSELF BECOMES SATURATED DUE TO THE SEVERE CORROSION. MY MECHANIC TRIED TO LOCATE A NEW FUEL TANK THROUGH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP BUT SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK FOR THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE ARE NO AFTER MARKET, NEW OR SALVAGE TANKS AVAILABLE FOR THE 1997 LUMINA - NATIONWIDE. I FILED A REPORT WITH GENERAL MOTORS 1(800) NUMBER ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2002. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO OPENED A SPAC CASE THROUGH THEIR PARTS NETWORK. I HAVE FOLLOWED UP WITH GM'S 1 (800) NUMBER TWICE SINCE. THERE ARE NO FUEL TANKS AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A TANK AVAILABLE IN LATE FEBRUARY OR MARCH BUT NO ONE CAN GIVE ME A DATE. ALL I'M BEING TOLD IS THAT EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE IS BEING DONE. MY LOG NUMBER WITH GM'S 1 (800) NUMBER IS 1-57851557. I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE (DUE TO SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS) FOR OVER FIVE WEEKS. RESEARCHING EXISTING COMPLAINTS, THE FOLLOWING EXHIBIT THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM OR COULD BE SOMEHOW RELATED: 567617, 725489, 769

AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WITH SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE OPENED UP AT FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT FOOT APPLIED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS THROWN OFF ROADWAY, CRASHING INTO A SCHOOL BUILDING. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS IN FULL OPEN POSITION. *TT *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING OIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER IT DID NOT APPLY TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*JB

WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR MAKING TURNS, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENLY LOSE THE POWER STEERING FUNCTION, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL ON ROADWAYS. TS

SEE NHTSA ACTION PE01-038. DT

MY GAS TANK ON MY 1997 LUMINA WAS JUST REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK. MY WIFE'S WORK VEHICLE WHICH IS A 1997 LUMINA HAD ITS GAS TANK REPLACED THIS SUMMER. I THINK THERE IS A GAS LEAK PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 LUMINA. DT

UPON HEAD ON IMPACT THE REAR SEATBACK BENT FORWARD AND CRUSHED MY DAUGHTER BETWEEN THE SEATBELT AND THE REAR SEAT. DT

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR POP OUT INTO DRIVERS LAP CAUSING A DISTRACTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VISOR MAY POP OUT IN THE DRIVERS LAP. MR

CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LOOSES POWER THEN ENGINE DIES, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REBUILT TRANSMISSION, THE PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, WATER PUMP FAILED ON JULY 24, FLASHER LEVER BROKE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN, BRAKES INOPERATIVE. MR *NLM

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR SOMETIMES, AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS MADE OF PLASTIC. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL OF THE RADIATOR FUEL IS WASHED INTO THE BLOCK CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE BLOCK. DEALER CONTACTED. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR