FaultScore

1990 Chevrolet Lumina engine problems

40 of the 615 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina are about the engine — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,100 miles.

A

40

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 19 47.5%
Gasoline 15 37.5%
Radiator Assembly 1 2.5%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 2.5%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 1 2.5%
Cooling System 1 2.5%
Catalytic Convertor 1 2.5%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 1 2.5%

Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Lumina year

1990 40 9.7%
1991 37 9.0%
1992 40 9.7%
1993 21 5.1%
1994 12 2.9%
1995 72 17.5%
1996 41 10.0%
1997 56 13.6%
1998 45 10.9%
1999 47 11.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,100 miles Magnolia, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE FILLING THE RADIATOR WITH ANTI-FREEZE A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE PART. WHILE LOCATING A REPLACEMENT PART IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR WAS THE INCORRECT TYPE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED WITH A 1993 MODEL RADIATOR BY THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10153637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #893654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rock Spring, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN GOTTEN OUT OF VEHICLE TO CHECK OIL FOUND OUT THAT ENGINE WAS NOT ON LINE, AND ONE OF SIDE OF ENGINE WAS LEANING TO A SIDE. THEN ,FOUND OUT THAT FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT WAS BROKEN JUST LIKE STATED IN A RECALL THAT HAD RECEIVED BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #883726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anderson, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL FILTER VIBRATES LOOSE,NO MATER THE TYPE FILTER.IT'S COMMON TO ALL 3.1'S AND PROBABLY HAS YET TO BE ADRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #738558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE MOTOR MOUNT CRADLE BOLTS SEARED IN HALF, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP DOWN AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND SHAFT RIPPED APART.

NHTSA complaint #782878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savannah, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

SMALL OIL LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD, MOSTLY JUST ANNOYING WONDER HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #729215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rolling Meadows, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

00V189000/CRADLE BOLTS: BOTH CRADLE BOLTS HAVE PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINER CLIP DUE TO CORROSION/RUST. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK OIL PRESSURE SENDING SWITCH AND ENGINE COOLANT HEATER PIPE IS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #866545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rolling Meadows, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

00V189000/CRADLE BOLTS: BOTH CRADLE BOLTS HAVE PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINER CLIP DUE TO CORROSION/RUST. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK OIL PRESSURE SENDING SWITCH AND ENGINE COOLANT HEATER PIPE IS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #866545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Caribou, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH AND NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND HARD TO STEER. ALSO, REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING DOWN/ AND REAR MOUNT PIECE WAS ON THE GROUND. REAR MOTOR MOUNTS SUPPORT THE ENGINE .

NHTSA complaint #862500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birch RUN, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS DROPPED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #862258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sault STE Marie, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

COSNUMER NOTICED NO STEERING AND NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED ENGINE ON GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFOMATON.

NHTSA complaint #855902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wixom, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED A CLOKE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MOUNTS WHICH SUPPORT THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FORWARD. ALSO NOTED THE ISSUANCE OF RECALL 97V058000 INVOLVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER WANTS OWNER TO PAY FOR REPAIR COSTS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #854982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON DECEMBER 2, 1997. THE DEALER NEVER ADMITTED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, BUT I PAID A $500 FEE. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WORK. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THAT TIME TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. HE REFUSED THE REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO PROBLEM. I LOST ALL POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER RICK PULLED MY FILE AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE SAME PROBLEM. HE DID NOT HAVE THE CAR TO LOOK AT BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN TOWED THERE YET. I'M REALLY SHAKEN UP AND AFRAID THAT I'M GOING TO GET A HASSLE FROM JEFFERSON CHEVROLET. IN ADDITON, I WANT MY MONEY BACK FROM PREVIOUSLY.

NHTSA complaint #716693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pulsa, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MOUNTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO MOVE, AND MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #849065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

AFTER PART FAILED, CONTACTED RIVERSIDE CHEVROLET IN TULSA OKLAHOMA. THEY RAN MY VIN BUT NOTHING CAME UP. THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN 1997. NEITHER RIVERSIDE NOR THE MAIN GM CENTER KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE BOLTS WERE CHANGED, IF IN FACT THEY WERE.ONE OF THE BOLTS BACKED ALL THE WAY OUT WHILE THE OTHER WAS SHEARED IN HALF. GMS' ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SAID ALL PARTS ARE GUARANTEED FOR12 MONTHS. RIGHT NOW THERE IS ONLY ONE BOLT IN THE CRADLE. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY MECHANIC DRILL AND RETAP THE OTHER SIDE. I THOUGHT GM WOULD FIX MY VEHICLE AND REMBURSE ME FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS UP TO THAT POINT. LUCKILY I WAS ONE A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED THANK YOU RICHARD DORROUGH

NHTSA complaint #712454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

REAR CRADLE BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FALL ON THE GROUND AND BREAK THE STEERING BOX.

NHTSA complaint #523550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orchard Park, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP, AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #841344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAY Shore, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE/MOTOR REPLACED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #605593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Tonawanda, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE LIKE I WENT OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. THEN I FELT A PULLING TO THE RIGHT, LIKE A FLAT TIRE,SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL, IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING WAS FALLING. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND TRIED TO MOVE IT FURTHER INTO THE LOT, AND THERE WAS A NOISE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN I GOT OUT, THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORKED. AT FIRST LOOK, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS HAD BROKEN, BUT WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO FIX IT, HE FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE CRADLE HAD ROTTED OUT AND HAD FALLEN. IT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE MOUNTS, TIE RODS, AND FRONT UPPER MOTOR MOUNT. IF I HAD NOT PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. INITIALLY, IT WAS REPORTED TO CHEVY THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD BROKEN. WE WILL BE SENDING THEM A LETTER WITH PICTURES OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE PICTURES ARE DEVELOPED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE APPARENT UNLESS A MECHANIC WAS AWARE THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM AND CHECKED THE ENGINE CRADLE REGULARLY.

NHTSA complaint #707044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pahrump, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED , ANY TIME, THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF AND LOSES CONTROL. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED ABOUT 15 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE APRIL OF 1997. MECHANICS ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #822306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delta, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).

NHTSA complaint #539059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Rapids, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO STEERING SHAFT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #535545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westfield, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE, POSSIBLE CAUSE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #824593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nevada, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HEARD LOUD NOISE, FRONT CRADLE BOLTS HAD CORRODED AND RUSTED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REAR CRADLE BOLTS WERE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #822870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Emmett, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FRONT ENGINE CRADLE FELL TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #527708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stone Lake, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE RECALL WORK COMPLETED, HOWEVER VEHICLE DID NOT MEET GUIDELINES FOR WORK.

NHTSA complaint #531643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

S Hampton, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING FRONT CARRIAGE FELL DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, NEARLY CAUSED CRASH; FRONT CRADLE BOLTS/WASHER RUSTED/CORRODED, PULLED OUT; ACCORDING TO DEALER, NEED NEW CARRIAGE, POWER STEERING LINES, CRADLE BOLTS NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #819328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Senec, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

LOWER CRADLE BOLTS AND BUSHINGS DRY ROTTED, CAUSING ENGINE AND TRANS AXLE TO DROP TO GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #516928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD BRAKES EXAMINED TWICE, HOWEVER EVERY TIME DEALER SAYS BRAKE SYSTEM IS FINE. COOLANT FITTING AND ENGINE BELT WAS REPLACED. FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #803267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD BRAKES EXAMINED TWICE, HOWEVER EVERY TIME DEALER SAYS BRAKE SYSTEM IS FINE. COOLANT FITTING AND ENGINE BELT WAS REPLACED. FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #803267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1990 Chevrolet Lumina problems

← Full 1990 Chevrolet Lumina report