1990 Chevrolet Lumina

◆ Worse than typical
1990 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

Complaints
435
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
15

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

67% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 435 complaints 1990 435 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 complaint
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1990 435 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1990 435 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1992 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1994 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1996 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1998 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaint 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% · 291 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Structure

14% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2016-03-23

Also filed under Steering and seat belts

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Steering

9% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Seat belts

7% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Seat belts did not lock upon impact. Ts.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-28

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 15 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1989-10-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-01-03 Safety belt cut by d-rings
  2. ▮
    1990Complaint volume 435 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    1990-03-12Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-20 Safety belt cut by d-ring
  4. I
    1990-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-20 Speed control fails
  5. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  6. R
    1990-07-23Seat belts90V054000 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.

  7. R
    1990-11-08Exterior lighting90V185000 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…

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

  8. R
    1991-02-22Seat belts91V005000 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.

  9. I
    1991-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-08 Steering wheel separation
  10. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-26 Jack failure
  11. I
    1991-11-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-28 Jack failure
  12. I
    1992-06-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-10-30 Apv fuel line fires
  13. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  14. I
    1993-09-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-28 Wheel failures
  15. R
    1994-05-05Wheels94V041000 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.

  16. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  17. R
    1995-06-14Wheels95V115000 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.

  18. R
    1997-06-11Structure97V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

  19. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  20. I
    1999-03-04Recall queryOpen Engine cradle separation
  21. I
    2000-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-12 Engine cradle separation
  22. R
    2000-09-28Structure00V189000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.

  23. I
    2001-11-28RPClosed 2002-06-13 Structure
  24. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

  25. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 291 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 39 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 91V005000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V189000 · Structure
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.