FaultScore

1998 Chevrolet Lumina brake problems

37 of the 276 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina are about the braking system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,000 miles.

C

37

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 13 35.1%
Foundation Components 5 13.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5 13.5%
Disc 3 8.1%
Rotor 2 5.4%
Drum 2 5.4%
Master Cylinder 1 2.7%
Pads 1 2.7%
Vacuum 1 2.7%
Control Unit/Module 1 2.7%

Brakes across every Chevrolet Lumina year

1990 319 25.6%
1991 237 19.0%
1992 210 16.9%
1993 180 14.4%
1994 75 6.0%
1995 91 7.3%
1996 37 3.0%
1997 40 3.2%
1998 37 3.0%
1999 20 1.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 124,000 miles Avon, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES LINES FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE METAL BRAKES LINES WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 08-09-12 *BF THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS COMPLAINT REMOVED. HE STATED WILL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH GM REGARDING THE ISSUE. UPDATED 08/09/12.

NHTSA complaint #10467825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles West Allis, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA, ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY. HOWEVER, A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING AND A MAN TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. THE TOP BRAKE LIGHT HAS ALWAYS WORKED, BUT THE TWO SIDE LIGHTS AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVER SINCE I NOTICED IT. WE HAVE TIRED THE FOLLOWING: SWITCHING THE LIGHT BULBS, CHANGING THE FUSES, AND GETTING A PROFESSIONAL WORK DONE. HOWEVER, NOTHING WORKS. THE NEW FUSE MAKES THE LIGHTS WORK FOR LESS THAN A DAY IF I'M LUCKY, BUT THEN THE FUSE BLOWS; AND THE EXPERTS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG. I LIVE IN MILWAUKEE, WI, AND HAVE SEEN OVER TEN CARS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER AND TICKETED 3 TIMES NOW, AND HAVE HAD TO PAY OVER $100 IN FINES, AND AT LEAST $300 AT THE AUTO SHOP, JUST FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. ALSO, THE REVERSE LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN FIXED, NOT EVEN WITH A NEW FUSE PUT IN. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANY MORE TICKETS, OR FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF. SEEING THAT MANY CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM, AND I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS PLEASE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS.

NHTSA complaint #10384073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles EGG Harbor City, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING. HE NOTICED A SMALL PIN HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 10/07/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT 2 LOCATIONS. UPDATED 10/08/08.

NHTSA complaint #10239192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,897 miles Bridgeport, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. IN MARCH OF 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WINDSHIELD. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE MORE, BUT IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY MORE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,897. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS BAD. UPDATED 07/03/08

NHTSA complaint #10230850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pawnee, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS MALFUNCTIONED IN MY VEHICLE. THEY HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AND WILL GO OUT WHEN I AM TURNING OR TRYING TO STOP. I HAD THEM CHECKED FOR 4 YEARS STRAIGHT- PADS CHANGED AND COMPLETELY SERVICED- MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS SOME COMPUTER SENSOR IN THE BRAKES THAT GOES OUT IN THIS PARTICULAR CHEVY. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND A DEFECT. I HAVE WENT THROUGH INTERSECTIONS- AND BEEN SO CLOSE IN REAR ENDING SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE OF MY INABILITY TO STOP MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10166708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL ANDC BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. CONSUIMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10088067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Berlin, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 32,000 MI. FROM THE BEGINNING BRAKES WOULD NOT GRAB IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT'S THE WAY THIS CAR IS. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS NOT USE TO 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. (I DRIVE A 4 WHEEL DISC CAR AT WORK.) I INSISTED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. DEALER TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS WHICH DID NOT HELP. I INSTALLED HIGH PERFORMANCE DISC PADS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS WHICH HELPED A LOT BUT ONLY FOR ABOUT 20000 MILES. THE BRAKES USE TO WHEN THEY GOT WET. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE IN WET WEATHER! *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762002

NHTSA complaint #10009208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Bradford, RI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES RELAYS CLICK AND CYCLE CONTINUALLY WHEN BRAKING. DEALER STATES THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE MAY BE MALFUNCTIONING. DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT NORMAL BRAKING. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Batesburg, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED AND IT STILL HAD 1000 MILE WARRANTY FROM THE DEALER. WHEN I GOT THE CAR THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP SO THEY REPLACED IT. BEFORE I EVEN GOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE (VIBRATION SHUDDER HOSE) WENT BAD. OR AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT THE GUY AT THE SERVICE AREA TOLD ME THE NAME WAS. THEY HAVE REPLACED THAT. AND FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THEM THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN WHINING. ALSO THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP TO WELL IN THE RAIN. I TRAVEL A LOT AND WE GO THROUGH BRAKES LIKE WATER. WE ALSO HAD THE AC COMPRESSOR GO OUT LAST YEAR DURING THE SUMMER. THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. WE KEEP OUR CAR UP VERY WELL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE BIG PROBLEMS BUT WHEN I KEEP MY CAR UP AND HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER DUE TO WHINING THIS IS FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA complaint #10014066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aliquippa, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BACKING UP AND SLOWING DOWN ABS STARTS TO CLATTER. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8016591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naranja, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE. REPAIRED BRAKES, STARTER

NHTSA complaint #9004849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Burnie, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON BELTWAY. I DISCOVERED THAT MY BRAKES WERE VERY HARD TO PUSH AND COULD NOT STOP. PULLED OFF TO SHOULDER AND COULD NOT PICK UP ANY ACELERATION. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER FOR CHECK-UP. THE DEALER (FOX) ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE FROM THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BECAME LOOSE AND WAS "CRIMPED" NEAR THE HOOD AND FIRE WALL. THIS RESULTED IN THE FLOW OF VACUUM PRESSURE BEING COMPROMISED AND STOPPING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE HAD TO BE "REPOSITIONED." THIS CORRECTED BOTH PROBLEMS OF FAILED BRAKING AND LACK OF ACCELLERATION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT FULLY EXPLAIN IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM OR WAS A RESULT OF HUMAN ERROR WHEN WORK IS PERFORMED ON THE CAR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE "CRIMPED" BOOSTER HOSE. LOST OF BRAKES WHEN GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS QUITE UPSETTING. I THOUGHT I WOULD PASS THIS COMPLAINT ON FOR YOU REVIEW AND ANY ACTION YOU DEEM FIT. IF THIS IS A SAFTY PROBLEM, PERHAPS A TECH BULLETIN OR WARNING SHOULD BE ISSUED BY CHEV. THANK YOU. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.

NHTSA complaint #759571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Swarts Creek, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN PEDAL IS PUSHED AS IF THEY ARE BEING ACTIVATED INTO THE SKID MODE AND EVERY TIME THEY CLICK THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR DIM. SO IF YOU GO TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES CLICK SEVERAL TIMES AND THE LIGHTS DIM AND ONCOMMING DRIVERS ARE ANNOYED BY MY LIGHTS DIMMING AND BRIGHTNING.

NHTSA complaint #758094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salyersville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 50-55MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO PICK UP SPEED. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND TRIED TO TURN CRUISE OFF. TO STOP VEHICLE CONSUMER PUT IT IN NEUTRAL/ APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SOME GRAVEL WHICH HELPED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN AND INTO PARK. A MECHANIC DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL. BRAKES WERE BURNED OUT TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO A DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE.

NHTSA complaint #895134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylors, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, SOMETIMES CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL FOR VEHICLE TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #888876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #888708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #745053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Georgetown, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE SITTING IN STOPPED POSITION AND HAVING BRAKES APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL WILL SLOWLY LOSE PRESSURE. THIS WILL ALLOW PEDAL TO GO TO FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP PEDAL FOR THIS NOT TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. *AK FOUR B.F. GOODRICH TIRES EXPERIENCED CRACKING BETWEEN THE TREAD, REPLACED AT HALF PRICE BY B.F. GOODRICH. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Galesville, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

IN RAIN WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IT TAKES 3 TO 4 SECONDS BEFORE THERE IS BRAKING ACTION, PEDAL WILL FEEL HARD. DEALER STATED THAT WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #883703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN DRIVING UNDER WET CONDITIONS THERE IS A LOSS OF BRAKES WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #877395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Billings, MT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 1998 LUMINA. THEY WOULD DRAG AND MAKE A METAL TO METAL NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO FRONTIER CHEVROLET 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. AS I SAID, THE BRAKES MADE A METAL TO METAL NOISE, THE BRAKES WOULD DRAG, SOMETIMES EVEN SKIDDING THE TIRES ON DRY PAVEMENT. THIS HAPPENED WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKE PRESSURE ON THE PETAL. THE LAST TIME I WAS INTO FRONTIER CHEVROLET, THE SHOP FORMAN TOLD ME THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO FIX IT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. I CONTACTED GM AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE ON AT LEAST TWO OR POSSIBLY THREE OCCASIONS. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REACH THE SHOP FORMAN AND THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME. THEY NEVER DID. I LIVE IN MONTANA WHERE ICY ROADS ARE A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER. WITH WINTER WETHER SETTING IN I GAVE UP ON THE DEALER AND TOOK THE CAR INTO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED. I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANCE THE BRAKES LOCKING UP ON ICY ROADS AND SENDING ME OUT OF CONTROL. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SOON DISCOVERED METAL SHAVINGE ON THE DRUMS AND OTHER BRAKE PARTS. HE SAID THE SHOES WERE RUBBING ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRUMS WHEN THE PETAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSED THE SHOES TO BIND INSIDE OF THE DRUMS, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO DRAG AND POSSIBLY LOCK UP. HE MEASURED THE ORIGINAL SHOES AND THE REPLACEMENT SHOES AND FOUND THAT EVEN WITH 31,000 MILES OF RUBBING ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRUMS, THE ORIGINAL SHOES WERE .007 WIDER THAN THE REPLACEMENTS. MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME OF A PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT SHE OWNED THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE ALSO TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ( IN ANOTHER CITY), TOLD HER THAT GM HAD INSTALLED THE WRONG SHOES ON HER CAR. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR GM. WHILE THIS DIDNOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, IT VERY EASILY COULD HAVE IF I HADN'T HAD THE CAR FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS PRO

NHTSA complaint #735801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bremerton, WA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #732556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Webster, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

NOTICED THAT BACK ROTORS HAD DEEP GROOVES IN THEM AT APX 16,000 MI. REPORTED TO DEALER, SAID IT WAS NORMAL..I'VE HAD CARS WITH MORE THAT NEVER EVEN HAD ROTORS TURNED DOWN, ANYWAY, THEY REPLACED 4 BRAKE PADS,SAID THEY WERE GONE & TURNED ROTORS DOWN, COST ME 334.00 I FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO A FRIENDS CAR SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HE TOLD ME TO CHECK MY ROTORS, THATS WHEN I NOTICED THE DEEP GROOVES. HE HAS SAME STYLE CAR (MONTECARLO,APX SAME MILEAGE)THE DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL!!!!!!!!!! I DON'T THINK SO. GOT NO WHERE WITH GM THEY'LL SAY & BELIEVE WHAT DIAMOND CHEV TELLS THEM.. LIKE I SAID, MY FRIENDS DEALER, KNIGHT CHEVY IN SOUTHBRIDGE MA , SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY!

NHTSA complaint #726130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chattanooga, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT GRAB AS QUICKLY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE LEFT BRAKE ROTOR WAS CRACKED WITH HOT SPOTS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE HOT SPOT ON THE ROTORS WERE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA complaint #866738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Appalachie, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #866605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winston Salem, NC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE MAKING A NORMAL STOP DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER . BUT, DEALER DID NOT CHECK BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #865830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKES FAILED. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD FLUID LOOKED CONTAMINATED. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND FLUSHED BRAKE FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #724549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FAILED. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD FLUID LOOKED CONTAMINATED. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND FLUSHED BRAKE FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #724549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING BRAKES FOR THIRD TIME. CALIPERS ARE RUBBING ON THE TIRES, AND THE BRAKE PADS ARE WARPED.

NHTSA complaint #860743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED PROPERLY BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM IN DEPTH WITH A NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE DUE TO THE PROBLEM DATING BACK TO A 1993 LUMINA, A 1995 LUMINA AND NOW THE 1998 LUMINA. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH BRAKE SYSTEMS AND FEEL THAT I CAN POSSIBILITY HELP TO ANSWER SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS OF DRIVERS STATING THAT THEIR BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. WHEN I HAD MY CAR SERVICED, THE SERVICEMAN STATED THAT HE HAD COMPARED MY VEHICLE BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE ALMOST THE SAME AS ON THE NEW VEHICLES. I DO AGREE THAT SOME OF THE NEW VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME BLEED DOWN PROBLEM AS MY VEHICLE AND THAT IS MY CONCERN. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF MY BRAKES AND DECIDED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ARRANGED FOR ME TO HAVE A CAR TO KEEP ME FROM DRIVING THE CAR HOME . ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY AN UNUSUALLY FAST PEDAL BLEED DOWN THE MANAGER STATED THAT HE TOO, HAS A CONCERN ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM AND HAD ORDERED A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE NEW CLYLINDER DID REDUCE THE REQUIRED BRAKING EFFORT BUT THERE IS STILL EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL BLEED DOWN UNDER LIGHT PEDAL FORCE. I THINK I CAN HELP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND SUGGEST A CORRECTION. I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH THE LEADER SERVICE MANAGER. I OWNED A 1993 LUMINA AND EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE PEDAL "GOING TO THE FLOOR BOARD" WHICH VERY NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE TWO MAJOR ACCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT ASSURING ME THAT MY CAR BRAKES WORKED AS GOOD AS ALL THE NEW CARS. WITH THE HELP OF THE ST. LOUIS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND A BRAKE TEST OFF OF OIL CHANGE RAMPS, THE BBB REPORT CONVINCED GM TO BUY BACK MY 1993 LUMINA. I FEEL THAT THE ONLY WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE NHTSA IS BY REVIEWING THE MECHANICS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKE FLUID FLOW AND TEST PROCEDURES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILIAR PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #717090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Chevrolet Lumina problems

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