1990 Chevrolet Lumina: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 427 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (51% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 427 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the car suddenly pulled to the right. When the contact regained control of the vehicle, the steering wheel was in the upside down position. The vehicle was steered into a driveway. Upon inspection, the shaft between the steering column and the rack and pinion was observed to be detached. When the rack and pinion was reassemled it appeared to be very loose. The contact is a private mechanic by trade.”Owner report · Steering · May 2006
“I had come to a stop at an intersection stop sign. I when to pull into traffic when the frame of the car just fell apart and I had no steering. I ended up in a persons yard. If there would have been heavy traffic of if I had gotten to the expressway as I had planned, this accident could have killed me or passengers in my car. I had to have the car towed and at this time have not made arrangements to have the car repaired. *jb”Owner report · Structure · May 2006
“Dt:the contact received NHTSA recall 00v189000 concerning front engine cradle bolts. While driving the vehicle's front engine cradle bolts rusted, and the frame dropped to the ground. Also, the steering shaft separated and broke. He was unable to steer the car. He was able to stop the car without incident, the vehicle was then towed. The contact had the vehicle repaired at cost. Contacted the manufacturer, and they refused to pay for the repair work. They stated the repair cost would exceed the cost of the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while filling the radiator with anti-freeze a puddle was noticed under the vehicle. Upon inspection the independent repair shop determined the radiator needed to be replaced due to the age of the part. While locating a replacement part it was discovered that the original radiator was the incorrect type for the vehicle. The radiator was replaced with a 1993 model radiator by the mechanic.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2005
“While driving on the freeway at 55 mph, the rear back window/glass and it's molding exploded outwards into on coming traffic. This occurred because the window/glass wasn't properly sealed at the factory. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2004
“The brakes lights did not work, the cruise control would not release. The manufacturer stated the case was closed. Recall 1990. The consumer was informed that the recall was more than 10 years old. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2004
“With engine cold, the throttle accelerates on it's own. Unfortunately this only occurs with the transmission engaged and usually in reverse backing out of a parking space at my work! This is extremely dangerous and can be predicted!*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2004
“While 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”Owner report · Structure · Feb 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 success. *cb the consumer stated there was a design flaw with the brake calipers. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lumina by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
NHTSA has 427 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Chevrolet Lumina problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 123,397 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.