IllustrationSTARTER(2) AND ALTERNATOR(2) FAILED. NLM
1992 Chevrolet Lumina
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lumina years
Owner complaints for the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lumina years →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: 14 of 342 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 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports11 fire reports9 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
44 reportsALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES SINCE OCT OF 1994. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. PLEASE! COULD NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR GIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ONLY HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON 3 ALTERNATORS, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THE DOOR LOCKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT NOTICE.
WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING SMOKE.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.
ALTERNATOR FAILED TWICE.
THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES SINCE MAY OF 96; IN JUNE & OCTOBER OF 96/IN MAY OF 97, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS BURNED ALL (3) TIMES. *AK
INSERTED KEY TO START VEHICLE; DID NOT TURN OVER; WAITED & THEN TRIED AGAIN; VEHICLE TURNED OVER. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED GM HAD PROBLEMS W/STARTER & HOW TO FIX IT. MECHANIC SAID IT'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE IT DRAINS THE BATTERY. *AK
ELECTRICAL: DRIVING VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKING AND BURNING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL . *AK
Official recalls
292V161000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 3, 1992
THERE IS FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL TANK FILL AND/OR VENT PIPE EXTENSION SOLDER JOINTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKS CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE IF EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
91V214000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Dec 6, 1991
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.
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
2PE94063 · 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
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