1,252 of the
4,007 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Lumina
are about the braking system —
31% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1990.
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.
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.
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.
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CAUSES REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. I DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT IT UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. I WAS LET OFF WITH A WARNING. I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME WITH THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU ON THE ROAD WILL NOT SEE THAT YOU ARE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10262228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE DISC CALIPERS WERE BAD. THE DISC CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10152145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1992 LUMINA SEDAN BRAKE SPEED BLEEDERS WERE CHANGED 3 TIMES. *TS THE CONSUMER ORDERED BRAKE BLEEDERS FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY THAN WHERE HE ORDERED THEM BEFORE, BUT WHEN HE RECEIVED THEM, HE NOTICED THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY SEALER OR THREAD LOCKER ON THEM TO HELP PREVENT AIR AND/OR BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10148624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON A ROAD TEST FOR A CUSTOMER I LOST THE BRAKES, AS IT DEVELOPED A HARD PEDAL WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THE CONDITION WAS INTERMITTENT. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE VACUUM HOSE FROM THE BACK OF THE INTAKE TO THE POWER BOOSTER WAS SOFTENED WITH OIL CONTAMINATION AND HAD BEGUN TO COLLAPSE CUTTING OFF VAC TO THE BOOSTER. I INSTALLED A NEW HOSE ASSEMBLY BUT THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR ANY DRIVER AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS A 1995 CHEVY LUMINA 3.4 V6. CLEARANCE IS VERY TIGHT WHERE THE HOSE RUNS. I THINK GM SHOULD GO TO A HARD HOSE INSTEAD OF A PERFORMED RUBBER HOSE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT LEAKING OIL. THIS FAILURE WAS HEAT AN NORMAL WEAR. BEING THESE CARS ARE 10 YEARS OLD THEY ARE STARTING TO FAIL. I SUSPECT EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE 3.4 L ENGINE WILL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM NOT JUST THE LUMINA.
NHTSA complaint #10140302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON A ROAD TEST FOR A CUSTOMER I LOST THE BRAKES, AS IT DEVELOPED A HARD PEDAL WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THE CONDITION WAS INTERMITTENT. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE VACUUM HOSE FROM THE BACK OF THE INTAKE TO THE POWER BOOSTER WAS SOFTENED WITH OIL CONTAMINATION AND HAD BEGUN TO COLLAPSE CUTTING OFF VAC TO THE BOOSTER. I INSTALLED A NEW HOSE ASSEMBLY BUT THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR ANY DRIVER AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS A 1995 CHEVY LUMINA 3.4 V6. CLEARANCE IS VERY TIGHT WHERE THE HOSE RUNS. I THINK GM SHOULD GO TO A HARD HOSE INSTEAD OF A PERFORMED RUBBER HOSE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT LEAKING OIL. THIS FAILURE WAS HEAT AN NORMAL WEAR. BEING THESE CARS ARE 10 YEARS OLD THEY ARE STARTING TO FAIL. I SUSPECT EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE 3.4 L ENGINE WILL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM NOT JUST THE LUMINA.
NHTSA complaint #10140302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONCERN: 1999 LOW MILEAGE CHEVROLET LUMINA. PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. CORROSION OR DEFECTIVE WHEEL SENSORS CAN CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS. MY CUSTOMER EXPLAINED THAT HIS ABS LIGHT WAS ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HE HAD DRIVEN THREW HIS FENCE AFTER TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. HE MENTIONED THAT HE WOULD LOSE ALL BRAKING IF THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL UNIT WAS ACTUATING. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON IN ALL VEHICLES THE ABS WOULD DROP OUT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM RENDERING THE VEHICLE WITH CONVENTIONAL BRAKES. I GUESS THIS IS NOT TRUE WITH SOME LATE MODEL GMS. I HAVE LEARNED THAT DIAGNOSING INTERMITTENT WHEEL SENSORS AND WIRING IS A DAUNTING TASK. THE VEHICLE WE WORKED ON HAD A DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. WE SCOPED THE SIGNAL FROM THE SENSOR AND IT SHOWED PERFECT AMPLITUDE, VOLTAGE AND WAVE FORM. FURTHER TESTING SHOWED IT READ OPEN WITH AN OHMMETER. UNLESS THE CIRCUIT IS COMPLETELY OPEN OR SHORTED TESTING THE WHEEL SENSORS AND WIRING WITH AN OHMMETER OR A SCOPE IS USELESS AT TIMES. IN THE PAST FOLLOWING A GM TROUBLE CODE FLOW CHART WAS USELESS, THE FIX WAS TO REWIRE AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT PARTS. . I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES. OR AT LEAST OFFER THE REPLACEMENT PARTS INCLUDING A REPROGRAMMED TRACTION CONTROL/ABS CONTROLLER AT A REASONABLE PRICE. SEARCHING THE ARCHIVES I FOUND ONE OTHER LATE MODEL GM WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF LOW SPEED BRAKING. 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM ENGINE: 2.4 L / 146 CID / 4 CYL / GAS / DOHC FUEL: FUEL INJECTION IGNITION: DISTRIBUTORLESS TRANS: 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (ELECTRONIC) MILEAGE: 95,000 MI VIN: [XXX] TIME. TODAY CUSTOMER COMES IN WITH A COMPLAINT OF CLICKING, LOSS OF PEDAL, AND NO STOP. CUSTOMER WAS IN TODAY WE GOT THE ABS TO ACTUATE AND HE SAID THATS WHAT IT WAS DOING.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.
NHTSA complaint #10136111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10099813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TWICE I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES IN UNDER 2 YEARS DUE TO RR CALIPER WEARING OUTSIDE PAD. MY MECHANIC SAID SLIDERS FREE, HOSE IS GOOD AND E-BRAKE NOT STICKING ON. HE SAID THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CALIPER THAT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10090926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.