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1997 Chevrolet Lumina

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lumina years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 81 of 347 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.

  • Steering. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports8 fire reports18 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

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 …

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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 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606844

76,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKESS VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *AK THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN PULLING INTO PARKINGP LACES, WHEN YIELDING TO PEDESTRIANS AND WHEN PULLING INTO THE GARAGE*NM

NHTSA ODI #10083233

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WITH SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE OPENED UP AT FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT FOOT APPLIED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS THROWN OFF ROADWAY, CRASHING INTO A SCHOOL BUILDING. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS IN FU…

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AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WITH SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE OPENED UP AT FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT FOOT APPLIED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS THROWN OFF ROADWAY, CRASHING INTO A SCHOOL BUILDING. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS IN FULL OPEN POSITION. *TT *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10001569

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #8009552

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE BOUNCED AND RAN ROUGHLY. ALSO ,HAD LOW IDLE. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND VEHICLE STALLED. SEEMED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GETTING INTO VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FUEL INJECTOR ON DECEMBER 6, 2001. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IT MIGHT BE FUEL INJECTOR.PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8000820

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SURGES WHEN APPROACHING THE SPEED OF 25 TO 45MPH. MOTOR WAS REPLACED 27,000, AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 10,000. DEALER HAS WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. OWNER PLANNING TO FILE FOR LEMON LAW PROTECTION. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #862829

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE AUTOMOBILE IS IN MOTION IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN TO AS MUCH AS 50 MPH. THE AUTOMOBILE DOES THIS AT RANDON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851071

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, TURNING ONTO TRAFFIC THE PEDAL CABLE BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. CONSUMER INFORMING NHTSA OF DEFECT PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832241

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL RESULTING IN ACCIDENTIAL ACTIVATION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL DURING BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #537018

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control

DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #527084

Official recalls

1

03V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Dec 11, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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

2

EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Steering:rack And Pinion

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.