IllustrationTWICE 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.*AK
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
Compare all Lumina years →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
What owners actually said
427 reportsWHILE DRIVING REAR CRADLE BOLTS CORRODED AND SNAPPED OFF. REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE IT SNAPPED IN HALF. ONLY THE FRONT CRADLE BOLTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL 00V189000. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE.*AK
I FEEL DUPPED BY THE CHEVY CORP. THERE ARE SO MANY LUMINAS IN MY AREA ALONE THAT HAVE THIS PEELING PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THIS IS NOT AN AGING PROBLEM AS CHEVY IS TRYING TO CONVINCE EVERYONE, IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH THE AGE OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE PAINT THAT IS REMAINING IS NEW LOOKING AND VERY …
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I FEEL DUPPED BY THE CHEVY CORP. THERE ARE SO MANY LUMINAS IN MY AREA ALONE THAT HAVE THIS PEELING PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THIS IS NOT AN AGING PROBLEM AS CHEVY IS TRYING TO CONVINCE EVERYONE, IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH THE AGE OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE PAINT THAT IS REMAINING IS NEW LOOKING AND VERY SHINY. I HAVE SEEN AGING PAINT THAT CRACKS. THIS IS A BUBBLE & PEELING PROBLEM, MOSTLY IN A VERTICLE DIRECTION. IT IS A DISTINCT LOOK. IN ONE WEEK I SAW 3 WHITE LUMINAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW DARE CHEVY NOT TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. A SIMPLE PAINT JOB WOULD SERVICE ALL COMPLAINTS. I HAPPEN TO LIKE MY LUMINA BUT I WOULD NEVER BUY A CHEVY PRODUCT EVER EVER AGAIN AND MY PEELING LUMINA IS A ADVERTISEMENT FOR AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT SEES MY CAR GETS A CLEAR MESSAGE OF WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCT CHEVY MAKES. YOUR COMPANY IS CERTAINLY AWARE OF THIS PAINT PROBLEM BECAUSE I SEE MANY CARS IN MY AREA ALONE WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHAT A DISGRACE FOR CHEVY TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. I AM EMBARASSED TO RIDE IN MY CAR!!!!!!!
WHILE BRAKING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE SPENT $1500.00 IN REPAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS. *CB THE CONSUMER STATE…
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WHILE BRAKING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE SPENT $1500.00 IN REPAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS. *JB
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A DEFECT WITH THE REAR CRADLE WHERE 1 OR BOTH REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CRADLE IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THE ENGINE MOUNTING, AND THE STEERING INTERMIDIATE SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR, CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
WHILE TURNING IN ANY DIRECTION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WOULD BE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN RECALL 97V05800, BUT THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
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
WHILE TRAVELING 50-55 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOORBOARD AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE RIGHT CRADDLE BOLT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Official recalls
700V189000 · 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
15RP01001 · 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