MYRModel Year Report

1990 Chevrolet Lumina

◆ Worse than typical
1990 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Lumina Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 435 complaints 1990 1991: 358 complaints 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1996: 245 complaints 1996 1997: 347 complaints 1998: 223 complaints 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaints 2008
1990: 435 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19880
19890
1990435
1991358
1992345
1993247
1994130
1995494
1996245
1997347
1998223
1999103
200030
200121
20020
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 67%

67% of complaints: service brakes — 291 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 62 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE EXPOSED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ON FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160323

Also filed under STEERING and SEAT BELTS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. TS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030128

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19891025 — PE (closed 19900103)

SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RINGS

▮ 1990 — complaint volume: 435
I 19900312 — EA (closed 19910220)

SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RING

I 19900315 — PE (closed 19900620)

SPEED CONTROL FAILS

I 19900611 — PE (closed 19901031)

FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH

R 19900723 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 90V054000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19901108 — exterior lighting

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 CO

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

Campaign 90V185000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19910222 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 91V005000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910501 — PE (closed 19910708)

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911126)

JACK FAILURE

I 19911126 — EA (closed 19921028)

JACK FAILURE

I 19920604 — PE (closed 19921030)

APV FUEL LINE FIRES

I 19920626 — EA (closed 19940131)

STICKING THROTTLE

I 19930929 — PE (closed 19940228)

WHEEL FAILURES

R 19940505 — wheels

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.

Campaign 94V041000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940812 — PE (closed 19941221)

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

R 19950614 — wheels

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.

Campaign 95V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970611 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Campaign 97V058000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19971002 — RQ (open)

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

I 19990304 — RQ (open)

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

I 20000410 — EA (closed 20010112)

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

R 20000928 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Campaign 00V189000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011128 — RP (closed 20020613)

STRUCTURE

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (291 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V054000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V185000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V005000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V041000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V115000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V058000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V189000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1999 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1991 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.