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1990 Chevrolet LuminaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 427 owner complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Lumina median · #2 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints42743 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 23, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina has problems

427 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic22411
Structure625
Steering396
Engine and engine cooling371
Seat belts284
Electrical system247
Wheels143
Suspension130
Parking brake120
10 other systems546

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1990 Chevrolet Lumina recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure

Recall 00V-189 · Jul 11, 2000 · 713,435 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 95V-115 · Jun 5, 1995 · 22,361 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 94V-041 · Mar 28, 1995 · 198,163 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 91V-005 · Oct 2, 1991 · 412,792 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 90V-054 · Mar 14, 1990 · 673,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other Lumina year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lumina median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Chevrolet Lumina safety ratings

1990 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
15 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONEA00011 · closed Jan 12, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-189
  2. SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RINGEA90014 · closed Feb 20, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-005
  3. JACK FAILUREEA91049 · closed Oct 28, 1992
    No recall
  4. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
  5. SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RINGSPE90013 · closed Jan 3, 1990
    No recall
  6. SPEED CONTROL FAILSPE90058 · closed Jun 20, 1990
    No recall
  7. FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCHPE90088 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-185
  8. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONPE91072 · closed Jul 8, 1991
    No recall
  9. JACK FAILUREPE91107 · closed Nov 26, 1991
    No recall
  10. APV FUEL LINE FIRESPE92052 · closed Oct 30, 1992
    No recall
  11. WHEEL FAILURESPE93085 · closed Feb 28, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-041
  12. CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKESPE94063 · closed Dec 21, 1994
    No recall
  13. STRUCTURERP01001 · closed Jun 13, 2002
    Led to recall 00V-189
  14. CRADLE BOLT FAILURESRQ97017 · still open
    Led to recall 97V-058
  15. ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONRQ99002 · still open
    Led to recall 97V-058
In owners' words

What Lumina owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TWICE 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
Complaint 10090926 · Sep 13, 2004
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…
Complaint 10046389 · Jan 6, 2004 · 72,000 miles
I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 90 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CALIPERS AND PADS BOTH HAVE BEEN REPLACED TOO MANY TIMES. MY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN TOTALLY REPLACED AND STILL WILL NOT WORK RIGHT. ALSO THE CLEAR COAT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF FOR YEARS.*JB
Complaint 10008330 · Mar 2, 2003

Own a 1990 Lumina?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.