1990 Chevrolet Lumina Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 15%of 427 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the body and structure of the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, 15% of the 427 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1990 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1l sedan and had the rear cradle bolts fall out while I was driving, causing the steering shaft to disconnect so that I lost steering control. I called 2 dealers and the Chevrolet customer assistance line and all of them denied that there was a recall on my car. I looked online and found a GM document that stated the vehicles that were covered in the recall and mine fit right into the range of VIN numbers listed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016336, filed 2003-04, 126,000 miles“Vehicle is experiencing a defect with the rear cradle where 1 or both rear cradle bolts pulled through the retainers due to corrosion. As a result, the engine cradle is no longer supported by the engine mounting, and the steering intermidiate shaft separated from the steering gear, causing sudden loss of steering.”
NHTSA complaint #10046488, filed 2003-11, 124,800 miles“While driving rear cradle bolts corroded and snapped off. Rear of the vehicle looked like it snapped in half. Only the front cradle bolts were repaired under a recall 00v189000. Vehicle was not drivable.”
NHTSA complaint #10059428, filed 2004-02, 127,000 miles“Dt:the contact received NHTSA recall 00v189000 concerning front engine cradle bolts. While driving the vehicle's front engine cradle bolts rusted, and the frame dropped to the ground. Also, the steering shaft separated and broke. He was unable to steer the car. He was able to stop the car without incident, the vehicle was then towed. The contact had the vehicle repaired at cost. Contacted the manufacturer, and they refused to pay for the repair work. They stated the repair cost would exceed the cost of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10140893, filed 2005-10, 174,000 miles“I had come to a stop at an intersection stop sign. I when to pull into traffic when the frame of the car just fell apart and I had no steering. I ended up in a persons yard. If there would have been heavy traffic of if I had gotten to the expressway as I had planned, this accident could have killed me or passengers in my car. I had to have the car towed and at this time have not made arrangements to have the car repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10157103, filed 2006-05Related recalls
- 00V189000Jul 11, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine…Covers: Chevrolet Lumina 1990–1991, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Buick Regal 1988–1991 +2 more
- 97V058000Apr 8, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine…Covers: Chevrolet Lumina 1990–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1991, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991 +5 more
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 10 | 4% |
| 1997 | 14 | 4% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 31 | 6% |
| 1994 | 12 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 2% |
| 1992 | 15 | 4% |
| 1991 | 52 | 15% |
| 1990 | 62 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
228 complaintsSteering
39 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsWheels
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology