Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Lumina owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was traveling home. Lost control and could not turn. The steering went out, and fuel system. I was left in a coma for ten days. My airbag did not deploy like it was developed to do. I received a traumatic brain injury because of the lack of it deploying broke 11 bones. 7 ribs and four vertebraes. Spent a month in lester e cox hospital (south), 4 months in the university or missouri brain injury unit was awarded a state guardian, [redacted] , and spent 3 months in maries manor located in vienna missouri. The state guardian cleaned me out of all assets even though I had two insurances. One cigna and one medicaid. So none of my money went to medical care but to pay his 3 attorney fees. My traumatic brain injury I deal with every day. It does not go away. For life. Your firm covered up nearly 15 years of another recall that does not deploy the airbag in many vehicles. No more! …
On Sunday January 27, 2002 I was involved in an accident as a result to a problem with the brakes on my 1997 Chevrolet Lumina ls model 4-door sedan that could have resulted in serious injury or death. About a week and half before the accident I knew I was having a problem with the vehicle stopping and I brought it to the original dealer where the vehicle was purchased at hurd Buick-Chevrolet-Pontiac-GMC trucks located in johnston, ri 02919, and had them look at the brake system of the vehicle. I explained the problem that when I applied the brake pedal the vehicle would have trouble stopping and I had to apply a great force on the pedal and allow more timing to stop than normal. The auto technician said nothing he could find wrong but adjusted the brakes and cleaned them. …
Reimbursement for recall repairs made to 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. While attempting to turn into a parking lot the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. Almost three years later the consumer receives a recall related to the failure she experienced. The consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer but was denied because the part the technician replaced was not the part covered by recall 03V527000. The technician also replaced the power steering pump nd front brakes.
I have 1997 Chevrolet Lumina:I have had this car for alittle ove 2 years and since I got this car I have had to replace the brakes twice the alternator and 3 fuel injectors and the booster pump I was just wondering if there is a recall that handles any of these problems .because then maybe I could get help from my dealer.
Had front brake pads installed due to light squeal very next day of onset,rotors were turned,and back brakes cleaned.had to return to place of service due to noise coming from rear brakes.was told drums needed to be turned.then vibration of brake pedal noticed next day again,returned and was told warped drums and were re-torqued? Still vibration with pedal.was told unsure why.then at speeds of 40 mile per hour or more bad vibration when braking,and screeching noise upon sudden stopping.took to dealer was told brakes pads are fine was told front rotors out of round,but advised not to re-turn the rotors due to lifespan of rotors after having them turned twice?I was told that it poses no safety threat,and that the screeching noise was the front suspension,thet with these luminas,that has been a problem,dealer says when these cars are "lifted" for repair the "rubber" around them gives out …
Between November 2002 and May 2003, I have gone through 4 batteries and 3 visits to the dealer for electrical "shorts." either the antilock brake warning light, or the airbag warning light would come on, and the interior dash lights would become increasingly dim indicating a battery drain. Within a day or two, the battery would be completely drained, and there is no power at all. The dealer reports finding problems in the battery cells and shorts in the harness under the dash each time, but the problem persists.
Vehicle has experienced brake problems, front rotors have been replaced twice, front brake pads have been replaced, rear shoes glazed. Steering gear replaced due to consumer losing power steering while driving, power steering pump was replaced, rack was also replaced. Water pump was leaking and was replaced. Air bag light illuminated, dealer stated sir coil inoperative.
Had alternator that was rebuild. Alternator went out while vehicle was going 70mph with A/C blowing. Also, 5-6 miles motor kept cutting on and off, finally stopping.. No electricity was getting to fuel pump. Once vehicle cut off pump and brakes no longer worked. Consumer had to use emergency brake to help stop vehicle.
Dealership replaced twice the intake manifold that was leaking coolant inside the engine. Also, tires showed signs of excessive wear every 3000 to 4000 miles. Dealer had front and rear suspension aligned. The tires were rotated, but excessive wear still persisted. In addition, there was a brake problem.
Anti-lock brakes, when approaching stop at about 30mph and applying brakes there was no response, pushed pedal completely to the floor and car would not stop, ran into a guardrail, dealer ran test and says they could not find a problem. Consumer was informed by another party that vehicle had no brakes.
Brake complaints in other Lumina years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina, 11% of the model year's 347 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Lumina brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Lumina brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.