1991 Chevrolet Lumina: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 352 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% 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 352 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My car keeps stalling or dying everytime I take off or apply the brakes it's almost as if it's not going into gear. It will die on me going down the interstate if I hit my brakes. *ln”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet lumina. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the rear cradle retainer pulled through and the steering disconnected. As a result, the engine sub frame dropped. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the contact's residence, where it was inspected and repaired by the contact. He was able to locate a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 00v189000- structure) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included. The current and failure mileage was approximately 131,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet lumina. During an inspection, it was discovered that the subframe bushing was missing from the vehicle. The mechanic referenced recall # 00v189000 (structure) and stated that the vehicle needs to be serviced. The mechanic advised the contact not to drive at highway speeds. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 168,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph on normal road conditions, there was a loss of steering control. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, who determined the steering intermediate shaft separated from the steering gear. There was a NHTSA recall # 00v189000 indicating the vehicles who operated in salt belt states were affected due to corrosion. However, the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN, even though the vehicle operated in michigan. The manufacturer was also contacted, who confirmed the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained inoperable.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2006
“Tl* - the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet lumina. The contact lost power steering while at a stop sign. The vehicle was towed. There were no warning indicators. The mechanic diagnosed the failure as having occurred due to a missing cradle bolt. The failure mileage was 127,000. The contact stated that recall 097v05800 & recall 00v189000 were issued for the same problem. However, when she called the manufacturer they advised her that her vehicle was not apart of the recall. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 5 mph, the steering intermediate shaft separated from the steering gear. There was a NHTSA recall, #00v189000, regarding the structure. The dealer was contacted, and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle remained inoperable.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2006
“1991 chevrolet lumina caught on fire while driving. *ts while driving the vehicle would not accelerate past 50 mph. The consumer pulled over and let the vehicle sit for a few minutes. After getting back onto the highway the consumer noticed smoke coming in through the passenger window. The consumer exited the vehicle and noticed that the rear of the vehicle was on fire. The right rear tail light burned along with the right rear bumper and the right side of the trunk. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2006
“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 97v058000 concerning the rear cradle bolts pulling through the retainer due to corrosion of the retainer. This vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall, but was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2005
“Dt: the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet lumina. He states that there was recall 00v189000 concerning engine cradle bolts. The same problem contact encountered. The recall stated, that one or both front engine cradle bolts can pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainers. The problem the contact had was that his retainers actually fell out of the bottom of the vehicle. This almost caused a head on collision because his wife lost control of steering. The contact called chevrolet, but was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2005
“While driving the cradle bolt disengaged, causingthe engine to com drop out. Recall number 97v058000/cradle was issued. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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).
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
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 1991 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
NHTSA has 352 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Chevrolet Lumina problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.