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: 7 of 126 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
126 reports
Mileage unknown · May 22, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR HAS BEEN THE MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. TWO WEEKS 94 AFTER PURCHASE, APR 94, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT THEY FAILED AND I WENT THRU AN INTERSECTION AND COLLIDED WITH A CAR. CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY SENT A REP AND THE STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS …
Read full complaint
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR HAS BEEN THE MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. TWO WEEKS 94 AFTER PURCHASE, APR 94, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT THEY FAILED AND I WENT THRU AN INTERSECTION AND COLLIDED WITH A CAR. CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY SENT A REP AND THE STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD FOUR BRAKE SYSTEMS ON MY CAR WITH A COMPLETE OVERHAUL DUE TO FAILURE AT A COST OF $800. I DRIVE HIGHWAY MILES AND NOT CITY DRIVING. THE LAST CAR, A CHEVY BERETTA HAD $50,000 BEFORE I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND UNDER THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #535983
Mileage unknown · May 8, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE. "FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS ON ICE," AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823160
Mileage unknown · May 7, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE PURCHASE. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE CUT AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #781640
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE FOR NO REASON. CAUSE UNKNOWN. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822755
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND CAR DOES NOT STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #817854
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES WITHOUT CAUSE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA ODI #528371
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1998
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE MECHANISM AND THE DRIVER IS NOT ALLOWED TO FASTEN THE BELT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820261
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CALIPER MISALIGNED RUBBING AGAINST INSIDE OF THE STEEL WHEEL DURING BRAKING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA ODI #526095
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1997
Suspension
BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #525676
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1997
Power TrainTires
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #604791
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Chevrolet Lumina Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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