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1990 Chevrolet Lumina

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lumina years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 427 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

427 reports
126,000 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Structure

I OWN A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA 3.1L SEDAN AND HAD THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS FALL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO DISCONNECT SO THAT I LOST STEERING CONTROL. I CALLED 2 DEALERS AND THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE AND ALL OF THEM DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A GM DO…

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I OWN A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA 3.1L SEDAN AND HAD THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS FALL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, CAUSING THE STEERING SHAFT TO DISCONNECT SO THAT I LOST STEERING CONTROL. I CALLED 2 DEALERS AND THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE AND ALL OF THEM DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A GM DOCUMENT THAT STATED THE VEHICLES THAT WERE COVERED IN THE RECALL AND MINE FIT RIGHT INTO THE RANGE OF VIN NUMBERS LISTED. AFTER CALLING THEM AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY HAD FOUND THE LIST THAT I HAD, BUT SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT LISTED IN THE VISC THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016336

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2003
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 90 CHEVROLET LUMINA . THE CALIPERS AND PADS BOTH HAVE BEEN REPLACED TOO MANY TIMES. MY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT WORK RIGHT. ALSO THE CLEAR COAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF FOR YEARS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008330

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2003
Seat BeltsCrash

SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. TS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10004836

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2002
Tires

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND WENT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER LOOKED AT TIRE AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS LAYING OUTWARD AWAY FROM VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020925

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2002
Structure

ENGINE CRADLE BROKE. DEALER REPLACE JUST ONE BOLT SINCE THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. RECALL ID 10946-00-V-189000 03-JUL-2000. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8020444

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Structure

00 V 189 000/CRADLE BOLTS: LOSS OF STEERING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT CRADLE BOLTS WERE MISSING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016271

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Structure

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP,AND WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAVE PULLED THROUGH RETAINER AND DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012788

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2002
Structure

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OF 25 MPH, BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER CONTACTED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER RECALL 00V189000 DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010485

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2002
StructureInjury

CONSUMER STATES THAT STEERING MECHANISUM BROKE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSS STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. CAR TOTALLED. RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR STEERING MECHANISUM AFTER ACCIDENT. *JB *MJ

NHTSA ODI #8009031

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Structure

FRONT CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKE, AND CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8008444

Official recalls

7

00V189000 · Structure

Jul 11, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

97V058000 · Structure

Apr 8, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

95V115000 · Wheels

Jun 5, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

94V041000 · Wheels

Mar 28, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

91V005000 · Seat Belts

Oct 2, 1991

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 16, 1990

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

90V054000 · Seat Belts

Mar 14, 1990

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

15

RP01001 · Structure

Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

RQ99002 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Mar 4, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures

Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes

Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE93085 · Wheel Failures

Opened Sep 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE92052 · Apv Fuel Line Fires

Opened Jun 4, 1992 · Closed Oct 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA91049 · Jack Failure

Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

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PE91107 · Jack Failure

Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

There is no summary currently available

PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch

Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

PE90058 · Speed Control Fails

Opened Mar 15, 1990 · Closed Jun 20, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

There is no summary currently available

EA90014 · Safety Belt Cut By D-RING

Opened Mar 12, 1990 · Closed Feb 20, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE90013 · Safety Belt Cut By D-RINGS

Opened Oct 25, 1989 · Closed Jan 3, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available