1997 Chevrolet Lumina: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 347 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (23% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 347 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I'm driving and my steering is tight and when turning while in motion and while its park. You can also smell like some thing burning”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 2019
“Key stuck in on position will not allow engine to be turned off in either park or neutral. Will turn towards start. Car will drive but unable to turn car off unless power is unplugged from steering column. Was at work with no way to turn car off had to leave running till power was disconnected. Upon research found that this was a common issue reported for the 97-98 chevy lumina believe that this should be a safety recall”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet lumina. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 228,890.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving home one day another driver hit the side of the car close to the headlight on the driver side this hit caused me to no longer be able to drive the vehicle. The airbags in the vehicle did not deploy.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2014
“Lost control of the vehicle driving home. Crashed. Police report is identical to steering recall. Which never was repaired. The VIN number I have at home. Neither airbag deployed even though I smashed into a culvert. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2013
“Dashboard cover on passenger side airbag has detached/pulled away and buckled up from the foam air bag casing. Gm/chevrolet was notified of the problem via phone. The response given by gm/chevrolet representative was that the car was too old to warrant their attention/repair. This does not answer the question, if the air bag will deploy properly. The chevrolet dealership stated that they would replace and paint it at cost and04/16/2012 labor paid by customer. Auto insurance has referred the problem to the manufacturer. This problem has been progressive in nature, beginning approximately 4 years ago.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the headlight illumination was extremely low dim. The contact activated the high beam headlights in order to see the roadway. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed small fractures in the headlight lens. The contact cleaned the headlight lens but continued to experience low visibility and would have to activate the high beam headlights. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 5/11/12 *cn”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2010
“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”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2010
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 34 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 1997 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
NHTSA has 347 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. The most complained-about area is steering (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Lumina problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.