90 of the 438 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina are about the steering — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 92,000 miles.
90
Complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
I'M DRIVING AND MY STEERING IS TIGHT AND WHEN TURNING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE ITS PARK. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL LIKE SOME THING BURNING
NHTSA complaint #11279829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
KEY STUCK IN ON POSITION WILL NOT ALLOW ENGINE TO BE TURNED OFF IN EITHER PARK OR NEUTRAL. WILL TURN TOWARDS START. CAR WILL DRIVE BUT UNABLE TO TURN CAR OFF UNLESS POWER IS UNPLUGGED FROM STEERING COLUMN. WAS AT WORK WITH NO WAY TO TURN CAR OFF HAD TO LEAVE RUNNING TILL POWER WAS DISCONNECTED. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE REPORTED FOR THE 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10892809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,890.
NHTSA complaint #10638773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DRIVING HOME. CRASHED. POLICE REPORT IS IDENTICAL TO STEERING RECALL. WHICH NEVER WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN NUMBER I HAVE AT HOME. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I SMASHED INTO A CULVERT.
NHTSA complaint #10619285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING HOME VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD LOST CONTROL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SPUN IN CIRCLES UNTIL FINALLY HITTING A CONCRETE CULVERT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I BROKE 4 VERTEBRAES 7 RIBS AND RECEIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. COULDN'T EVEN RECALL MY PARENTS FOE MONTHS OR EVEN THEY LIVED TOGETHER . LAID IN THE CAR TIL PARAMEDIC FOUND ME ABOUT AN HOR LATER. THE AIRBAG WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT HEAD INJURY. THE 1997 CHEVY LUMINA FAILED HORRIBLY. PLUS TENDAYS IN A COMA LOST A $50 K YR JOB AND SENT TO A NURSING HOME TO SPEND MY 33RD,THANKSGND CHRISTMAS IN UNTIL I WAS RELEASED FROM GUARDIANSHIP. 12/30/13 PLEASE HELP! HOW IS THE 1997 MALIBU DIFFERENT THAN ALL THE LUMINAS RECALLS? SAME YEAR. GM ISTRYING TO CUT THERE COSTS OH BUT THEY MESSED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10616176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVELS WHICH WERE ADEQUATE. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000- STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/04/10
NHTSA complaint #10346984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FALLEN OUT, AND THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TIE ROAD AND ENGINE MOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,876.
NHTSA complaint #10325427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN AN ELK RAN OUT INFRONT OF HIM. HE SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID THE ELK, THE CAR OR WHEELS OR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WAS THROWN TO THE RIGHT CAUSING IT TO ROLL 4 TO 5 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10268179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
LTR FWD WMAIL FM (TX) RE RECALL OF A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA FOR DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN.*TS THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN FATAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. IF THIS PART FAILED IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PART FAILED AND CAUSED HIS DAUGHTER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FULL SIZE PICKUP WHICH WAS PULLING A STOCK TRAILER.
NHTSA complaint #10149779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT: CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 03V527000 LETTER FROM CHEVROLET ON 7-7-05 CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING GEAR/ LOWER PINION BEARING SEPARATION. WHEN HE CALLED LOCAL DEALER ON 7-14-05, THEY TOLD HIM THEY NEEDED A SPECIAL TOOL FROM GM TO REPAIR THE RECALLED PART, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE TOOL. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE TOOL FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. WHEN CONSUMER ASKED WHEN THEY WILL GET IT THEY HAD NO IDEA. THEY DID NOT TELL HIM WHY THEY COULD NOT GET IT... HE HAS CALLED GM, AND COULD NOT REACH ANYBODY. . HE HAS NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10128760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TEN MONTHS AFTER THE RACK AND PINION BEARING/ STEERING RECALL 03V527000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED IT FAILED. WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SPIN AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH AND INDICATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10103736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10096562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
PROBLEMS GETTING POWER STEERING GEAR LOWER PINION BEARING SEPARATION RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETE.*MR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXHIBITED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS BUT HAD NO PROBLEMS MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST A RENTAL UNTIL HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A RENTAL. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT SHE WAS NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO RENT A VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10091541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
PROBLEMS WITH STEERING EVEN AFTER RECALL REPAIR.*MR AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD SIGNIFICANT STEERING AND FRONT END ISSUES THAT WERE NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO HER SATISFACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10091525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10091859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNIN STEERING GEAR BEARING. A WEEK AFTER THE LOWER PINION BEARING WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10087392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
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.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER PINION OF THE RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY. *MR RECALL#03V527000. AFTER THE LOWER PINION WAS INSTALLED, A NOISE DEVELOPED IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SC THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO GIVE APPROVAL TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION AGAIN DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10076024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATED AFTER RECALL 03V527000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED RACK AND PINION BEARING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING BECAME HARD.
NHTSA complaint #10075959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE VEERING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE GUARD RAIL AND RUNNING INTO A DITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10071815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER NOT SURE IF RACK AND PINION WAS CORRECTED. *PH (RECALL #03V527000) THE DEALER INVOICE STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE, THE VEHICLE HAD AN AFTER MARKET STEERING RACK INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10067087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL 03V527000 REGARDING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS FAILURE. THE RECALL WAS DONE ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BEARINGS WERE THE ONLY THING REPLACED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE STEERING WENT OUT. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10066978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER#03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER CONSUMER FIXED THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE EXPENSES WHICH WERE PAID TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAKE A COMPLETE LEFT TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE VEHICLE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10065520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING AS STATED IN RECALL 03V527000 THE VEHICLE HAD A SEVERE PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER PINION STEERING CAUSED THE STEERING GEAR TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10065551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE STEERING GEAR RECALL 03V527000 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS.
NHTSA complaint #10063278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
RECALL 03V527000, STEERING GEAR BEARINGS: THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE TWICE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING CORNERS VEHICLE WOULD STALL. ALSO THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK AFTER VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR, THE PROBLEM WENT WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10063171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE STEERING SHAFT SEAL. *PH SHAFT SEAL WAS MISSING AFTER A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER SAID THAT NO PRIOR REPAIR WAS DONE THAT COULD HAVE TOOK OFF THE MISSING STEERING SHAFT SEAL. COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THAT PART WASN'T PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ASSEMBLED. CALLED GENERAL MOTORS (GM) BUT HAS NO ANSWER.
NHTSA complaint #10062884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA THAT I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GENERAL MOTORS ASKING ME TO SELECT A GM DEALER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING FOR WHICH THE CAR WAS RECALLED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WOULD BE OVER A MONTH BEFORE THEY COULD SCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT AND EVEN THEN, THEY WOULD REQUIRE KEEPING THE CAR FOR ONE FULL DAY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIRS. MY CONCERN IS THAT I AM DRIVING IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BECAUSE THE CAR'S LEFT TURN GETS STUCK WHEN DRIVING. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR A FULL DAY BECAUSE MY EMPLOYER WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO MISS A DAY OF WORK WITHOUT REPRIMAND AND LOSS OF WAGES. I NEED SOME ASSISTANCE - THE DEALERSHIP NOR GM IS NOT SHOWING ANY INTEREST IN PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK FOR ME FOR ONE DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10058280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.