FaultScore

Chevrolet Lumina transmission problems

196 of the 4,007 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Lumina are about the transmission — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

196

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

2

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1990 Lumina 4 2.0%
1991 Lumina 11 5.6%
1992 Lumina 25 12.8%

Median failure at 575,000 miles

1993 Lumina 12 6.1%
1994 Lumina 6 3.1%

Median failure at 93,100 miles

1995 Lumina 60 30.6%

Median failure at 134,000 miles

1996 Lumina 25 12.8%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

1997 Lumina 21 10.7%
1998 Lumina 13 6.6%

Median failure at 65,744 miles

1999 Lumina 7 3.6%

Median failure at 85,500 miles

2000 Lumina 8 4.1%

Median failure at 67,149 miles

2001 Lumina 4 2.0%

Median failure at 55,420 miles

What owners said

1992 Chevrolet Lumina at 1,000,000 miles Mentor, OH

POWER TRAIN

SUBFRAME WASHERS RUST AND FAIL WHICH CAUSED IN THIS CASE THE STEERING RACK TO DISCONNECT . I HAVE BEEN AUTO TECH FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MAKES HAVE VERY CONCERNING SAFETY PROBLEMS . THE NHTSA HAS FAILED IN MY EYES . THE STATE I LIVE IN USES SALT SO THE PROBLEMS SHOW UP FASTER HERE IN RUST AND COLD RELATED PROBLEMS . MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS 4 ITEMS THAT I TRULY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT ARE NOT . 1 OF THEM MAKES MY DRIVER AIRBAG INOP . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY HELP I CAN BE PLEASE CONTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10662112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 84,000 miles Gainesville, 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.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina at 162,000 miles Rembrandt, IA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR THE GEARS WOULD STICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10402844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Chevrolet Lumina at 193,000 miles Hackleburg, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND THEN WHEN IT SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS WHEN IT WENT TO CHANGE INTO OVERDRIVE IT WAS LIKE IT JUST WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED ALL THE GEARS AGAIN AND THERE WAS A LIGHT GRINGING SOUND AND ALL IT WOULD WORK IN WAS 1ST GEAR SO I GOT TO DRIVE HOME AT A LIGHTNING SPEED OF BOUT 10 TO 15 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10248659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 80,000 miles Quincy, 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.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 22,000 miles ST. 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.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 77,500 miles Staten 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.

1994 Chevrolet Lumina at 93,100 miles Greenwood, IN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHELL CRACKED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,100.

NHTSA complaint #10204784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina at 111,000 miles Omaha, NE

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. TOOK IT TO MIDAS, MIDAS WHO SAID IT WAS A INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC CAP AND NEEDED TO REPLACE IT FOR TOTAL OF 700.00. MIDAS SAID THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM DUE TO ANTIFREEZE STRENGTH THE DEALERSHIP WAS REQUIRED TO PUT INTO VEHICLE. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING, AND WHEN FILLING VEHICLE UP WITH GAS, WHICH SEEMS TO RUN OUT OR MAYBE LEAK OUT FAST.

NHTSA complaint #10185597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Chevrolet Lumina at 134,000 miles Bellaire, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10174392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Lumina at 40,668 miles Center, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP AT A CROSSOVER, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEIZED COMPLETELY. A RATTLING NOISE, THEN A BUMP WAS HEARD INSIDE THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40668 MILES. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #10171451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Chevrolet Lumina at 65,744 miles Alpharetta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. LOSS OF ATF TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #10145260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Chevrolet Lumina Johnstown, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: THE CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 91V214000, AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE REVERSE WORKED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT IS NO LONGER WORKING. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1993. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER DATE WAS TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL STARTED. THE TRANSMISSION WORKS IN ALL THE OTHER GEARS EXCEPT REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #10129895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Chevrolet Lumina Bethpage, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE MADE A WHINING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. CONVERTER AND PUMP NOISEY. *BF THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10109675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Chevrolet Lumina at 135,000 miles Washington, DC

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED BOUNCING. TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10103618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 56,799 miles Baltimore, 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.

1992 Chevrolet Lumina Springfield, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR TRANSMISSION STALLED ON 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA.

NHTSA complaint #10020375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina ST Joseph, MO

POWER TRAIN

THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER SUDDENLY CAME OUT OF THE HOLE ALONG WITH THE SMALL BOLT THAT WAS INSERTED. *MR *SC

NHTSA complaint #10083982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina at 42,549 miles Orangeburg, 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.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina at 102,000 miles Mayflower, AR Crash

POWER TRAIN

ON 7/20/03 THE BATTERY WAS GETTING WEAK SO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAR. ON THE FIRST START WITH THE NEW BATTERY THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I STARTED IT THE SECOND TIME AND WAS BACKING UP A SLIGHT SLOPE OF A DRIVEWAY, THE CAR DIED. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR. WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT, THE GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE CAR RACED FORWARD WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STILL IN PARK. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I STEERED THE CAR TRYING TO LOCATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BUT THEY WERE TOO FAR AWAY FOR ME TO REACH AND STILL MAINTAIN THE RACING CAR. I THOUGHT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WOULD STOP THE CAR SINCE THE BRAKES HAS FAILED BUT EVEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, IT RACED EVEN FASTER AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HAD CRASHED INTO A TREE TOTALLING OUT THE CAR. I CRACKED MY HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD BREAKING MY NOSE. LUCKILY, THE VISOR WAS DOWN AND PROTECTED MY FACE. I ALSO SUSTAINED BRUISING AND BACK INJURIES ALONG WITH THE CONCUSSION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THANKFULLY, AS I AM SHORT AND IF IT HAD, THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN DECAPITATED OR KILLED FROM IT. MY INSURANCE ONLY GAVE BLUE BOOK VALUE TO THE CAR AS IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HAD TO BE TOTALLED. I AM WANTING TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. IS THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM ON THE LUMINA'S? I FEEL IT WAS COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT SHUT DOWN THE CAR MADE IT BEHAVE LIKE IT WAS POSSESS. NO LIGHTS CAME ON INSIDE THE CAR TO INDICATE THERE WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO PUT IN A BATTERY SO IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE BATTERY. DEBRA K. OLIVER

NHTSA complaint #10069901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Lumina problems