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1990 Chevrolet Lumina

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lumina years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 427 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

28 reports
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211,591 miles · Mar 23, 2016
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE EXPOSED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ON FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO GET THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE EXPOSED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ON FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO GET THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO WORK EXCEPT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT UPON MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN AND A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 91V005000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 90V054000 (SEAT BELTS). AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED, BUT DID NOT CONFIRM THAT AN INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,591.

NHTSA ODI #10851201

142,556 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Seat BeltsStructure

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUD. SHE THEN TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKEN AND WAS RESTING ON THE ROAD. HAD SHE BEEN GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEW…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUD. SHE THEN TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKEN AND WAS RESTING ON THE ROAD. HAD SHE BEEN GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE: ONE FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS, AND ONE FOR THE SEATBELTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 1990 CHEVY LUMINA SEDAN. VIN # [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10029012

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2003
Seat BeltsCrash

SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. TS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10004836

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER RESTRAINT BELT SYSTEM RETRACTOR FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, THE SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT FEED BACK INTO RETRACTOR, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT COMPONENT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8003046

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2001
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY BY NOT REDUCING AMOUNT OF SLACK WHEN BELT IS BUCKLED. RETRACTOR MECHANISM HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, BUT FAILURE OF THIS MECHANISM TO REDUCE SLACK IN BELT CONTINUES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #887961

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT, AND THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE. *AK SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES FAILED THREE TIMES. *YH

NHTSA ODI #886893

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2000
Seat Belts

CONSUMER'S SHOULDER BELT KEEPS COMING LOOSE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE BY THE DEALER. THIS TIME THE DEALER WILL FIX THE DRIVER SIDE AND NOT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WANTS THE CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. CHEVROLET FILE # 000043894. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855729

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1999
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DOOR CAME OPEN MAKING SEAT BELT COME OPEN BECAUSE, IT WAS ATTACHED TO DOOR CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EXPELLED FROM CAR CAUSING DRIVER TO RECEIVE VERY SEVERE INJURIES TO FACE AND HEAD WITH DRIVER PINNED UNDER THE CAR. WANTING TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? SEAT BELTS CAN NOT BE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR OF A CAR. HE COULD OF BEEN KIL…

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DOOR CAME OPEN MAKING SEAT BELT COME OPEN BECAUSE, IT WAS ATTACHED TO DOOR CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EXPELLED FROM CAR CAUSING DRIVER TO RECEIVE VERY SEVERE INJURIES TO FACE AND HEAD WITH DRIVER PINNED UNDER THE CAR. WANTING TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? SEAT BELTS CAN NOT BE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR OF A CAR. HE COULD OF BEEN KILLED. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #713701

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSeat BeltsCrash

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE I OWN THE CAR. DEALER REPLACED GAS TANK ONCE, BUT IT WAS WITH A RUSTY TANK, PROBLEMS WITH SAFETY BELTS GOING OUT OF SHAPE, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES NOT WORKING OR CRUMBLING. NEED REPLACEMENT OFTEN. SEE OTHER ISSUES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195R14 )

NHTSA ODI #702966

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 1999
Seat Belts

SAFETY BELTS EITHER LOCKUP IN THE RETRACTED POSITION ,MAKING THEM UNABLE TO BE USED, OR THE BELTS DONT LOCK UP AT ALL UNDER HIGH G STOPS. THEY JUST DON'T WORK AS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE MINE UNDER WARANTEE AS THIS IS A CRUCIAL SAFETY COMPONENT, IN FACT 1 IS SCHEDUALED TO BE REPLACED BUT SHOULDN'T A…

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SAFETY BELTS EITHER LOCKUP IN THE RETRACTED POSITION ,MAKING THEM UNABLE TO BE USED, OR THE BELTS DONT LOCK UP AT ALL UNDER HIGH G STOPS. THEY JUST DON'T WORK AS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE MINE UNDER WARANTEE AS THIS IS A CRUCIAL SAFETY COMPONENT, IN FACT 1 IS SCHEDUALED TO BE REPLACED BUT SHOULDN'T ANYONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM GET THEIRS REPLACED AS WELL?

NHTSA ODI #701810

Official recalls

7

00V189000 · Structure

Jul 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

97V058000 · Structure

Apr 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

95V115000 · Wheels

Jun 5, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

94V041000 · Wheels

Mar 28, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

91V005000 · Seat Belts

Oct 2, 1991

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 16, 1990

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

90V054000 · Seat Belts

Mar 14, 1990

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

15

RP01001 · Structure

Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

RQ99002 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Mar 4, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures

Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes

Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE93085 · Wheel Failures

Opened Sep 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE92052 · Apv Fuel Line Fires

Opened Jun 4, 1992 · Closed Oct 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA91049 · Jack Failure

Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

===

PE91107 · Jack Failure

Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

There is no summary currently available

PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch

Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

PE90058 · Speed Control Fails

Opened Mar 15, 1990 · Closed Jun 20, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

There is no summary currently available

EA90014 · Safety Belt Cut By D-RING

Opened Mar 12, 1990 · Closed Feb 20, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE90013 · Safety Belt Cut By D-RINGS

Opened Oct 25, 1989 · Closed Jan 3, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available