Owners have filed 190 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 35
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Lumina. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 33
6.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 compares with every other Chevrolet Lumina
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
111.1%
150,000+ miles
444.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 10Oct 2007
Recalls on the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 97,700 milesWarren, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AND WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10079424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZCrash2 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, A PIECE OF TIRE ABOUT 4 BY 6 INCHES CLOSE TO THE WHEEL RIM, REPLACE MICHELIN TIRE SIZE (P195-75R-14)
NHTSA complaint #9000986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fulton, MOCrash
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH AS SHE DROVE ON (US 54) APPROACHED A CURVE, BEGAN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE REAR SWAY BAR BROKE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #813715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Borrrego Springs, CAFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SWITCH INOPERABLE, BLEW FUSE/ FROZE AND WON'T RELEASE, RESULTING IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #809117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING ON WET SURFACE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, SPEED 30MPH, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #801055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westover, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #503576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 93,100 milesGreenwood, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHELL CRACKED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,100.
NHTSA complaint #10204784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesAustin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10192939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10192939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesAustin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, INSIDE MY CAR, QUITE OFTEN- AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. MY BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVERSIDE HUB ASSEMBLY KIT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTS CLICKING THEN WEARS OUT THE BRAKES IF I DON'T GET IT DONE- AT THE CHEAPEST 100 EVERY TIME. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A WRECK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10192939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesDetroit Lakes, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INCIDENT DATE THAT THIS OCCURRED ON WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED. I DROVE THIS CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND FASTENED SEAT BELT LIGHTS COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR THE PAST MONTH. WE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SNOW STORM, AND I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND NOTICED WHEN I HAD STOPPED AT A CONVENIENT STORE THAT THE BATTERY VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT HOME ,AND A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT, FASTEN SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND BATTERY VOLTAGE LIGHT CAME ON. AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND ETC WERE WORKING.*AK THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE IN THE PAST. I HAD GOT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND STARTER REPLACED, HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I WENT TO START IT AND SUPRISINGLY IT HAD STARTED. THE CAR DOES RUN EXCELLENT WHEN THIS UNEXPLAINABLE PROBLEM HAPPENS THOUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10186976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarver, PA
TIRES
THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE FELL OUT OF ITS COMPLETELY RUSTED FASTENERS AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10065196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,700 milesWarren, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AND WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10079424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmira, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING AND WATER WAS GETTING ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10057833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florida City, FL
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
TIRE RUBBING INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE WELL FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. ONE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE REAR STRUTS. THAT DIDN'T HELP. THE NEXT SHOP CHANGED SOME KIND OF PADS OR BUSHINGS. THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN BACK BEHIND THE DRIVER. AS OF THIS DATE 08-29-03, NOONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?
NHTSA complaint #10036854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesRome, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBFRAME ON 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA WITH 65,000 MILES RUSTED AND BROKE THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10029060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,272 milesBandon, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE DURING NORMAL DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10021195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10022131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
THE IDLER ARM BECAME DISCONNECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10017561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarver, PA
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
PROBLEMS WITH SPARE TIRE. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT IT'S COMPLETELY RUSTED FASTENERS. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarver, PA
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE SPARE TIRE BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10007275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, ID
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DOOR HANDLES, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BROKEN. DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. PASSENGER DOOR OPENS ONLY FROM INSIDE. SIDE SLIDING DOOR AUTOMATIC OPERATION INOPERATIVE; DOORO OPENS OR CLOSES ONLY MANUALLY. REAR HATCH DOOR HANDLE HAS FALLEN APART NUMEROUS TIMES. A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH NO IMMEDIATE ESCAPE OPTION IS DEADLY BUSINESS.
NHTSA complaint #10007767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, NY
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES HAS CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING PULLING EXCESSIVELY TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE THERE IS A WIERD SQUEAKING TS
NHTSA complaint #8021792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AND GOING TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,656 milesCorversville, TN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE OFF. THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND CONSUMER HAS TO CLIMB ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER FURTHER EXPLAINS THAT THE COUNTER WEIGHT ARM IS MADE OF ALUMINUM ALLOY ALLOWING FOR THE FREQUENT BREAKING. *TS *JG NLM
NHTSA complaint #8021332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #765968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #765968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.