NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
347 reports110,000 miles · Aug 3, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVELS WHICH WERE ADEQUATE. HE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVELS WHICH WERE ADEQUATE. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000- STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/04/10
NHTSA ODI #10346984
10,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FALLEN OUT, AND THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FALLEN OUT, AND THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TIE ROAD AND ENGINE MOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,876.
NHTSA ODI #10325427
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2009
SteeringWheelsInjury
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN AN ELK RAN OUT INFRONT OF HIM. HE SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID THE ELK, THE CAR OR WHEELS OR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WAS THROWN TO THE RIGHT CAUSING IT TO ROLL 4 TO 5 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268179
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BURN COMPLETELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265573
87,000 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Electrical System
TWICE NOW WHEN TRYING TO START MY 1997 LUMINA LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR WON'T TURN OVER. SOMETHING MUST BE GOING ON WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND LEAVING THE KEY ON, THE CAR KICKED OVER. ANY REASON FOR THIS TYPE FOR BEHAVIOR. GRANTED I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT AT 87K MILES IT MAKES ME UN…
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TWICE NOW WHEN TRYING TO START MY 1997 LUMINA LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR WON'T TURN OVER. SOMETHING MUST BE GOING ON WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND LEAVING THE KEY ON, THE CAR KICKED OVER. ANY REASON FOR THIS TYPE FOR BEHAVIOR. GRANTED I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT AT 87K MILES IT MAKES ME UNEASY TO GO ON ANY LONG JAUNTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259288
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2009
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY, AND WHEN SHUTTING IT OFF BRIEFLY IN A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, IT REFUSED TO START. I HAD ACCESSORY POWER, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER CHECKING THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CONNECTION WITH THE BATTERY, THERE WAS STILL NO ABILITY TO CRANK. AFTER TRYING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES MULTIPLE TIMES, THE CAR FINALLY…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY, AND WHEN SHUTTING IT OFF BRIEFLY IN A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, IT REFUSED TO START. I HAD ACCESSORY POWER, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER CHECKING THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CONNECTION WITH THE BATTERY, THERE WAS STILL NO ABILITY TO CRANK. AFTER TRYING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES MULTIPLE TIMES, THE CAR FINALLY TURNED OVER AND STARTED. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT HOME, WHICH TOOK ABOUT 1 HOUR, BUT THE SECURITY LIGHT KEPT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND TURNING OFF. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS WAS THAT I ALMOST STRANDED AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME, AND NOW I CANNOT RELY ON MY VEHICLE TO START, AND SO I FEEL IT CANNOT BE RELIED ON TO DRIVE. WHEN LOOKING IN FORUMS AND SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTION, I HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF USERS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PASS LOCK SYSTEMS, AND WE DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE FAILING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257336
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
I KNOW OF SEVERAL OWNERS OF CHEVY LUMINA WHERE PAINTS IS PEELING AND ENGINE FAILURE IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO START AN INVESTIGATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242051
74,000 miles · Jun 17, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. HE BEGAN CHANGING THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE. A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME DEF…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. HE BEGAN CHANGING THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE. A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF FOUR TIRES AND VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED IN MAY 2006. THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED AGAIN IN JUNE 2008. UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10231340
161,000 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. INITIAL SEARCHES FOR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, BUT AFTER1 - 2 WEEKS IT GOT WORSE AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND IT EASILY. THE PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING. I CHECKED FOR A RELATED RECALL AND FOUND THAT UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR'S) PRODUCED AFTER 1/9/07 HAD BEEN RECALLED, BU…
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I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. INITIAL SEARCHES FOR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, BUT AFTER1 - 2 WEEKS IT GOT WORSE AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND IT EASILY. THE PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING. I CHECKED FOR A RELATED RECALL AND FOUND THAT UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR'S) PRODUCED AFTER 1/9/07 HAD BEEN RECALLED, BUT MINE, I BELIEVE, IS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PRESSURE REGULATOR. NEVERTHELESS, IT MAY HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 161,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT FAILURE OF A PART WITH THAT MANY MILES ON IT WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY-RELATED FAILURE. I SOUGHT OUT THE NHTSA SITE TO TRY TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS THE CASE, OR NOT. THE "INCIDENT DATE" NOTED BELOW IS THE DATE I FOUND THE LEAK. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212448
81,000 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 LUMINA HAS LOUD LIFTER NOISE. LIFTERS REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER, BUT NOISE IS ESPECIALLY LOUD NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208106
NHTSA investigations
2EA03019 · 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.
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