40 of the
438 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina are about the
braking system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
87,056 miles.
I WAS TRAVELING HOME. LOST CONTROL AND COULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WENT OUT, AND FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS LEFT IN A COMA FOR TEN DAYS. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPED TO DO. I RECEIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF IT DEPLOYING BROKE 11 BONES. 7 RIBS AND FOUR VERTEBRAES. SPENT A MONTH IN LESTER E COX HOSPITAL (SOUTH), 4 MONTHS IN THE UNIVERSITY OR MISSOURI BRAIN INJURY UNIT WAS AWARDED A STATE GUARDIAN, [XXX] , AND SPENT 3 MONTHS IN MARIES MANOR LOCATED IN VIENNA MISSOURI. THE STATE GUARDIAN CLEANED ME OUT OF ALL ASSETS EVEN THOUGH I HAD TWO INSURANCES. ONE CIGNA AND ONE MEDICAID. SO NONE OF MY MONEY WENT TO MEDICAL CARE BUT TO PAY HIS 3 ATTORNEY FEES. MY TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY I DEAL WITH EVERY DAY. IT DOES NOT GO AWAY. FOR LIFE. YOUR FIRM COVERED UP NEARLY 15 YEARS OF ANOTHER RECALL THAT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG IN MANY VEHICLES. NO MORE! 11 MONTHS IS TOO LONG. PLEASE INVESTIGATE MY ACCUSATION. I AM A MEMBER OF THR MISSOURI BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION. AND ALL MY MEDICAL CARE CAN AND WILL BE VERIFIED. YOU HAVE MY CONTACT INFO UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 09/12/2014 *JS
NHTSA complaint #10606844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DEALERSHIP REPLACED TWICE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS LEAKING COOLANT INSIDE THE ENGINE. ALSO, TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES. DEALER HAD FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION ALIGNED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT EXCESSIVE WEAR STILL PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10084031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,056 milesBowman, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS MADE TO 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA.*MR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER THE CONSUMER RECEIVES A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE SHE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE PART THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED WAS NOT THE PART COVERED BY RECALL 03V527000. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ND FRONT BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10079330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,490 milesCicero, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA:I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ALITTLE OVE 2 YEARS AND SINCE I GOT THIS CAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES TWICE THE ALTERNATOR AND 3 FUEL INJECTORS AND THE BOOSTER PUMP I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL THAT HANDLES ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS .BECAUSE THEN MAYBE I COULD GET HELP FROM MY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10045560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica Plain, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND MAY 2003, I HAVE GONE THROUGH 4 BATTERIES AND 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL "SHORTS." EITHER THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, OR THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIM INDICATING A BATTERY DRAIN. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO, THE BATTERY WOULD BE COMPLETELY DRAINED, AND THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL. THE DEALER REPORTS FINDING PROBLEMS IN THE BATTERY CELLS AND SHORTS IN THE HARNESS UNDER THE DASH EACH TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colchester, CTCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR SOMETIMES, AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. MR
NHTSA complaint #768513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colchester, CTCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR SOMETIMES, AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. MR
NHTSA complaint #768513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zwolle, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LOOSES POWER THEN ENGINE DIES, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REBUILT TRANSMISSION, THE PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, WATER PUMP FAILED ON JULY 24, FLASHER LEVER BROKE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN, BRAKES INOPERATIVE. MR *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8020923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tell City, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
BRAKES MAKE VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN APPLIED, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE LINNING BEING COATED OVER. CONSUMER FEELS IF THIS KEEPS HAPPENING, THE VEHICLE CAN LOOSE BRAKE POWER AT ANYTIME.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cranston, RICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 2002 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA LS MODEL 4-DOOR SEDAN THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. ABOUT A WEEK AND HALF BEFORE THE ACCIDENT I KNEW I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPING AND I BROUGHT IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT HURD BUICK-CHEVROLET-PONTIAC-GMC TRUCKS LOCATED IN JOHNSTON, RI 02919, AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING AND I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT FORCE ON THE PEDAL AND ALLOW MORE TIMING TO STOP THAN NORMAL. THE AUTO TECHNICIAN SAID NOTHING HE COULD FIND WRONG BUT ADJUSTED THE BRAKES AND CLEANED THEM. A WEEK AND HALF LATER WHILE TRAVELING TO A DRUG STORE I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE EXCEPT A CONCRETE LIGHT POLE BASE THAT I HIT. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMP, HOOD, AND LIGHTS AND RIGHT FENDER AND THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR IS $3,500.00. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND BOTH THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DISPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTOBODY GARAGE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR I FELT THE VEHICLE LOST HALF OF ITS BRAKE POWER TO FULLY STOP. I HOPE THIS INCIDENT CAN BE PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING AGAIN NEXT TIME IT MAY BE FATAL.
NHTSA complaint #757962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massillon, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS, FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, REAR SHOES GLAZED. STEERING GEAR REPLACED DUE TO CONSUMER LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED, RACK WAS ALSO REPLACED. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATED SIR COIL INOPERATIVE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Orange, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
REAR WHEEL CYLINDER FAILED TWICE, CAUSING UNEQUAL BRAKE PRESSURE. ONE CYLINDER LASTED 1 1/2 YEAR, AND REPLACEMENT PART LASTED ONLY 2 1/2 YEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #893286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alberque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAD ALTERNATOR THAT WAS REBUILD. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS GOING 70MPH WITH A/C BLOWING. ALSO, 5-6 MILES MOTOR KEPT CUTTING ON AND OFF, FINALLY STOPPING.. NO ELECTRICITY WAS GETTING TO FUEL PUMP. ONCE VEHICLE CUT OFF PUMP AND BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED. CONSUMER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO HELP STOP VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #891511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quincy, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAVING BRAKES DEFECTS NEEDS TO REPLACE PARTS AFTER THE FIRST 5000 MILES..
NHTSA complaint #736031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR & NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED. DEALER EVEN REPLACED PADS & TURNED ROTORS FOR PREVIOUS OWNER IN 1997.
NHTSA complaint #735548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR & NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED. DEALER EVEN REPLACED PADS & TURNED ROTORS FOR PREVIOUS OWNER IN 1997.
NHTSA complaint #735548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Isanti, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT ON OUTSIDE, AND INSIDE PADS ARE LIKE NEW, OUTSIDE ROTOR WEARS THIN, INSIDE IS FINE, DEALER SAYS IT IS FINE, CAR HAS 67,000MILES AND BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR BRAKES, CAR IS DRIVEN 32 MILES A DAY, CONSTANT WEARING OF ROTORS AND PADS. G.M WONT STAND BEHIND THEM.
NHTSA complaint #725455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HAD FRONT BRAKE PADS INSTALLED DUE TO LIGHT SQUEAL VERY NEXT DAY OF ONSET,ROTORS WERE TURNED,AND BACK BRAKES CLEANED.HAD TO RETURN TO PLACE OF SERVICE DUE TO NOISE COMING FROM REAR BRAKES.WAS TOLD DRUMS NEEDED TO BE TURNED.THEN VIBRATION OF BRAKE PEDAL NOTICED NEXT DAY AGAIN,RETURNED AND WAS TOLD WARPED DRUMS AND WERE RE-TORQUED? STILL VIBRATION WITH PEDAL.WAS TOLD UNSURE WHY.THEN AT SPEEDS OF 40 MILE PER HOUR OR MORE BAD VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING,AND SCREECHING NOISE UPON SUDDEN STOPPING.TOOK TO DEALER WAS TOLD BRAKES PADS ARE FINE WAS TOLD FRONT ROTORS OUT OF ROUND,BUT ADVISED NOT TO RE-TURN THE ROTORS DUE TO LIFESPAN OF ROTORS AFTER HAVING THEM TURNED TWICE?I WAS TOLD THAT IT POSES NO SAFETY THREAT,AND THAT THE SCREECHING NOISE WAS THE FRONT SUSPENSION,THET WITH THESE LUMINAS,THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM,DEALER SAYS WHEN THESE CARS ARE "LIFTED" FOR REPAIR THE "RUBBER" AROUND THEM GIVES OUT AND THEY DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY.COSTLY REPAIR! DEALER SAID IT IS NOTHING ANYONE DID BUT A RESULT OF HAVING THE CAR "LIFTED" UP IN THE AIR BY THE RACK. I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND AM WONDERING IF THIS HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED,AND ALSO WHY THE ROTORS WOULD BE "OUT OF ROUND" WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN COMPLETELY!
NHTSA complaint #723763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berlin, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED IN ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dubuque, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FOR THE LAST YEAR, MOST OF THE TIME, ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MIDAS COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #862122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaston, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON THE BRAKES, AND WHEN REVERSING, COULD HEAR A POPPING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #860893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS AND DISC CRACKED AND WORN OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #606550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valpraiso, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #719621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Needham, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
NHTSA complaint #855152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TOO LONG BREAKING, VERY DANGEROUS IN EMERGENCY CASES
NHTSA complaint #712577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS PARKING VEHICLE, WENT TO APPLY BRAKE, AND BRAKES FAILED. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #845475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wurtsboro, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NOT EVEN 6K MILES AFTER COMPLETE REPLACE, BRAKES VIBRATE & NEED LONGER STOP DISTANCE DUE TO FAULTY ROTORS
NHTSA complaint #709884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nelson, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT WOULD STAY ON WHILE TRAVELING, INDICATING THAT ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornwall O, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #604268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornwall O, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE KINKED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT. MJS
NHTSA complaint #604268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.