Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 | −90% | 3 | Transmission | Good |
| 2000 | 30 | −86% | 5 | Transmission | Good |
| 1999 | 103 | −62% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 1998 | 223 | 1.2× | 3 | Steering | Average |
| 1997 | 347 | 2.5× | 1 | Steering | Avoid |
| 1996 | 245 | 1.7× | 2 | Engine | Caution |
| 1995 | 492 | 3.5× | 6 | Window & Wiper | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Lumina year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Chevrolet Lumina problems
Latest Chevrolet Lumina recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Engine and engine cooling
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 Oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and Mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on January 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on April 17, 2001.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Chevrolet Lumina should you avoid?
1995, 1997 and 1996 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Lumina years at the same age, led by windows, wipers & sunroof problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Lumina?
2001 has the fewest complaints compared with other Lumina years at the same age, followed by 2000 and 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Chevrolet Lumina problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (254), brakes (204) and steering (191). Engine complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the Chevrolet Lumina had?
18 recalls across 1995–2001. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Chevrolet Lumina recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.