Owners have filed 36 complaints
about the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina with NHTSA between 2000 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 7
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Lumina. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 24
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2000 compares with every other Chevrolet Lumina
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
822.2%
Median failure at 67,149 miles
Engine & Cooling
822.2%
Median failure at 78,838 miles
Electrical System
411.1%
Median failure at 74,506 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
38.3%
Brakes
38.3%
Median failure at 57,500 miles
Steering
38.3%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Child Seats
12.8%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Seats
12.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,000 mi
Seat Belts
12.8%
Wheels
12.8%
Median failure at 240,000 miles
Tires
12.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
12.8%
Body & Structure
12.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
14.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
14.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
29.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
523.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
838.1%
150,000+ miles
419.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2000 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
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.
Aug 2000peak 6May 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
SQ00004Opened 2 Feb 2000Closed 19 Jan 2001VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ACCELERATOR CABLE DETACHES FROM THROTTLE
Recalls on the 2000 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.
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.
00V228003
SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
00V160000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDING THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT.
00V143000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE.
Risk: THE REAR WHEEL CAN SHIFT, CAUSING REAR STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
99V357000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE IS INCORRECTLY ROUTED BEHIND THE BRAKE PIPE BRACKET RESTRICTING BRAKE HOSE MOVEMENT THAT COULD CAUSE THE HOSE TO EITHER BE CUT BY THE BRACKET OR SEPARATED AT THE CALIPER.
Risk: IF THE HOSE BECOMES DISCONNECTED OR DAMAGED, THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF PRESSURE IN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP MAY BE ON, THE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL, AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
99V283000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVE AN UNDERSIZED INFLATOR ORIFICE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THIS UNDERSIZED ORIFICE CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF AN AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND/OR PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,000 milesSugar City, IDCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHEN THE BACKS OF BOTH FRONT SEATS BOTH BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10089656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 84,000 milesPahoa, HI
STEERING
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable and the steering wheel would unexpectedly pull to the side with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the seat belts failed to detach properly. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V527000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer informed the contact that they would not service the vehicle due to the vehicle being more than 10 years old. The contact was also advised that payment for the steering rack replacement would be required in order to complete the recall repair. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #11736142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 240,000 milesMemphis, TN
WHEELS
THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, AND WATER WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR. I HAD TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED OVER THE CAR SAID THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #10505396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 240,000 milesMemphis, TN
ENGINE
THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, AND WATER WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR. I HAD TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED OVER THE CAR SAID THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #10505396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 240,000 milesMemphis, TN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL FLUIDS TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #10505400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGainesville, MO
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #10471999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesQuincy, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAD TO CHANGE BATTERY, THIS CAUSES THE ON BOARD COMPUTER TO RESET TO ORIGINAL SETTING. THE TRANSMISSION (4T65E) IS PROGRAMMED TO MAKE SHIFTS AT CERTAIN SPEEDS IN AN ALLOTTED TIME SPAN. BECAUSE NOW, THE CAR (2000 LUMINA) IS OLDER AND THE SHIFTS ARE A LITTLE LONGER THE COMPUTER SENDS MESSAGES TO THE TRANSMISSION TO FORCE PRESSURE ON THE LINES TO CORRECT SPLIT SECOND SHIFTING. THIS CAUSES HARD SHIFTING AND GRINDING SOUNDS. I STOP THE CAR, TURN THE MOTOR OFF, THEN ON AND ITS OK AGAIN FOR A FEW MORE MILES. A TRANSMISSION SHOP WANTS $1400.00 TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM IS A NOT SO SMART COMPUTER THAT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR A CAR TO AGE.
NHTSA complaint #10247401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesST. Louis, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2000 CHEVY LUMINA WITH 54,XXX MILES ON IT. IN 2003 WHEN IT HAD 22,XXX MILES ON IT I HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON BECAUSE IT WAS SHUTTERING AND SHIFTING HARD. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. NOW, 6 YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND AM TOLD I HAVE TO HAVE A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. A CAR THAT HAS 54,XXX MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED ON TIME SHOULD NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT. IT HAD A CODE OF 1810 WHEN DIAGNOSTICS WAS DONE TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10247182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,500 milesStaten Island, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAD THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED ON MAY 2008, VEHICLE ONLY HAD 75000 MILES AT THAT TIME, NOW THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT ALMOST EVERY DAY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.
NHTSA complaint #10246975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,500 milesStaten Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAD THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED ON MAY 2008, VEHICLE ONLY HAD 75000 MILES AT THAT TIME, NOW THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT ALMOST EVERY DAY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.
NHTSA complaint #10246975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,100 milesStaten Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS LOSING ANTIFREEZE RAPIDLY, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET,BOTH THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. A COSTLY JOB. AS PER THE TECHNICIAN THIS ENGINE ALWAYS HAS THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10230159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,506 milesStaten Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO A DEFECT OF THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY BUILT-IN IT. TO BE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO TURN ON THE IGNITION AND OFF AND WAIT THREE TO FOUR MINUTES TO START AND TURNS ON. THIS PROBLEM IS 90% OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10230157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO A DEFECT OF THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY BUILT-IN IT. TO BE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO TURN ON THE IGNITION AND OFF AND WAIT THREE TO FOUR MINUTES TO START AND TURNS ON. THIS PROBLEM IS 90% OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10230157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,478 milesWausau, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON HAD TO FILL RESIVOIR TANK ONCE A WEEK. TOOK CAR IN TO FIND THE PROBLEM LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10182208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MANY OCCASIONS THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON THIS 2000 MALIBU HAS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES. ONE TIME IT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR STALLED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10158497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,838 milesSioux Falls, SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON CHEVROLET 2000 LUMINA VIN# [XXX] HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY WITH APPROXIMATELY 35,000+ MILES AND SECOND TIME WITH 78,838 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHERS. THIS COMPLAINT IS WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10115986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,500 milesCalhan, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
EXCESSIVE BRAKE PULSATION AND VIBRATION; WITH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10110791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,799 milesBaltimore, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE LEVER USED TO CHANGE GEARS BROKE OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN CONSUMER WAS PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK. TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, AND TWO NEW PARTS AND SWITCH WERE INSTALLED IN ORDER TO CHANGE GEARS.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10103243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesSugar City, IDCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHEN THE BACKS OF BOTH FRONT SEATS BOTH BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10089656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,549 milesOrangeburg, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ON 200 CHEVROLET LUMINA.*MR THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY 42549 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SHE WOULD POSSIBLY BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10083769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWilmar, AR
CHILD SEAT
THE BUCKLE OF THE HARNESS WILL NOT FIT INTO THE LATCH BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEG.
NHTSA complaint #10046302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONCERNS ABOUT PISTONS ON VEHICLE. MR
NHTSA complaint #10020403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRochester, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY A PIN GOING INTO FIRST THE CYLINDER, AND IT CAN GO OUT AT ANYTIME. THE DEALERSHIP WILL EITHER REPLACE THE PART OR THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THERE WAS A TSB 030601002 FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10014908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manfield, GA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manfield, GA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.