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: 7 of 126 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
126 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Suspension
REAR STRUTS HAVE GOTTEN NOISY, WITH RATTLING AND GROANS. SEEMS LIKE A BUSHING IS OUT. ALSO SHOCKS ARE OVERLY FIRM, AS IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE OVERLY FIRM SHOCKS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO NHTSA. THE RATTLING HAS RECENTLY STARTED AND WHEN A SHARP BUMP IS HIT WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, IT HAS A LOT OF SMALL SHARP BOUNCE…
Read full complaint
REAR STRUTS HAVE GOTTEN NOISY, WITH RATTLING AND GROANS. SEEMS LIKE A BUSHING IS OUT. ALSO SHOCKS ARE OVERLY FIRM, AS IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE OVERLY FIRM SHOCKS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO NHTSA. THE RATTLING HAS RECENTLY STARTED AND WHEN A SHARP BUMP IS HIT WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, IT HAS A LOT OF SMALL SHARP BOUNCES, WITH THE TIRE ABSORBING THE SHOCK. REAR SHOCK/STRUT PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS AND REPLACEMENTS FROM THE DEALER ARE $300. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD FIX, OR OFFER A DISCOUNT ON THE REAR STRUTS, SINCE SO MANY ARE BAD. THANKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765971
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Structure
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765968
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Suspension
REAR SHOCKS ARE OVERLY FIRM AND DO NOT COMPRESS WELL. THIS SEEMS TO HAMPER THE STEERING CONTROL ON CURVY BUMPY ROADS. I PLAN ON REPLACING THEM MYSELF AT MY COST, BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THE SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE GM W-CARS. (88-NEWER CUTLASS SUPREME, REGAL, LUMINA, GRAND PRIX). MOST CARS, THE SHOCKS GET BOUNCY AND SOFT …
Read full complaint
REAR SHOCKS ARE OVERLY FIRM AND DO NOT COMPRESS WELL. THIS SEEMS TO HAMPER THE STEERING CONTROL ON CURVY BUMPY ROADS. I PLAN ON REPLACING THEM MYSELF AT MY COST, BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THE SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE GM W-CARS. (88-NEWER CUTLASS SUPREME, REGAL, LUMINA, GRAND PRIX). MOST CARS, THE SHOCKS GET BOUNCY AND SOFT WHEN THE SHOCKS WEAR, BUT ON THESE CARS, THEY GET OVERLY FIRM. AS IF THEY GAIN PRESSURE AND DO NOT WANT TO COMPRESS. THE DEALER WANTS $300. FOR NEW REAR STRUTS/SHOCKS, WHICH I FEEL IS ABSURD, CONSIDERING I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #765238
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2002
Electrical System
ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 YEARS A SMALL PLUME OF SMOKE ROSE FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760213
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Seats
WHILE ADJUSTING SEATING POSITION IN HIS POWER SEATS, SEAT ANCHOR BROKE AND THE SEAT CANNOT BE USED WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND CORRECTED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892909
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT LOOSENS UP AS MOVEMENT IS MADE IN SEAT. FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT UNLESS BELTS WERE PUSHED DOWN INTO MECHANISM. DEALER HAD TO TAKE A PART THE SIDE PANEL AND PHYSICALLY REPLACE TWO BELTS. THE CHARGE $327.35. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #891905
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
Seats
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH CONSUMER SHIFTED IN FRONT SEAT AND SEAT BROKE. CONSUMER WENT TO BACK OF VEHICLE AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891316
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NOISE IN DASH (LIKE SOMETHING TRYING TO ADJUST) CAUSING PARTIAL LOST TO BRAKING POWER, ANTI-LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, AT FREQUENT INTERMITTENT TIMES, BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR LOSING ALL BRAKING CAPABILITIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746655
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2001
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #889393
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2001
Electrical System
THERE WAS A SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO START SMOKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION.*AK CONSUMER STATES SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, PROBABLY FROM STEERING COLUMN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #888060
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Chevrolet Lumina Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration