1991 Chevrolet Lumina Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about brakes that stop working or drag, especially the rear calipers, and about rusted front and rear cradle bolts letting the engine subframe drop, which can take the steering with it. Many cradle-bolt complaints say the car was not covered by the related recalls. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 100,000 to well past 250,000 miles, and often involve cars driven in road-salt states.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cradle bolts rust through and engine subframe drops

   Mentioned in 21 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the front or rear engine cradle bolts pulling through corroded retainers, dropping the subframe and sometimes separating the steering shaft from the steering gear. Complaints frequently note a loud noise followed by loss of steering, and many say the dealer or manufacturer told them the vehicle's VIN was not included in the related recalls. Some dealers caution against driving the car. Reported from about 75,000 to 170,000 miles and beyond, typically on cars used where road salt is common.

   Recall 00V189000Recall 97V058000

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the cradle bolts, retainers and bushings for corrosion, and ask whether recall 00V189000 or 97V058000 work was ever performed on this VIN. Since coverage was limited by VIN and region, an uncovered car should still be inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at a rate of speed of 35 MPH when I heard something break under the car and at that point I lost all steering an was traveling towards oncoming traffic. I was able to stop but still in heavy traffic, when I had the car towed...we found out that the rear sub-frame mounts had broken and snapped the steering. This was a 1991 chevy 2 door Lumina and when I looked it up... There was a recall for this issue. Somehow the NHTSA and general motors missed my VIN number in the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10372095, filed 2010-12, 75,000 miles

   “Recall 00v18 000 concerning cradle bolts. While driving consumer heard a loud noise, and then the vehicle jerked to the right while driving 60-70 MPH. Vehicle was inspected by the consumer's son, who noticed that the front cradle bolt broke. The locale dealer and the manufacturer were both contacted, and both confirmed that this vehicle was not covered under that recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10097889, filed 2004-10, 147,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rear brake calipers seize or corrode

   • 125 complaints (36%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe rear disc brakes that rust or freeze inside the caliper so the rear brakes drag or stop working entirely, leaving only front braking and longer stopping distances. Several owners mention repeated caliper, rotor and pad replacement with the problem returning, and some say a sleeve kit was recommended. Others report a hard pedal, the ABS light coming on, or the pedal going to the floor. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from below 100,000 to about 170,000 miles, and several involve wet, snowy or cold conditions.

   What to check: Have the rear brakes inspected on a lift for seized or rusty calipers and ask for evidence of recent caliper and rotor work. Check that the ABS light works and that the pedal feels firm on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving about 65 MPH on the highway in inclement weather driver applied brakes, the brake pedal was hard, and the ABS light appeared on the dashboard. Driver was able to control vehicle, and pulled over to the shoulders of the highway. The vehicle was towed. There was no accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044048, filed 2003-10, 100,000 miles

   “Poor brake performance, complete ABS brake failure and extended stopping distance has been experienced, on many occasions. The rotors, pads, and calipers were replaced on 7-2-96. Poor brake performance is still taking place.”

   NHTSA complaint #804161, filed 1996-10
3. 3
   Steering

   Engine mounts or bolts fail and steering is lost

   • 22 complaints (6%)
   • median 118,500 mi at 18.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2010

   Owners report front engine mounts shearing or cradle hardware breaking, letting the engine drop and the steering column or intermediate shaft separate, which leaves the car without steering. Complaints include a thud from the front end before the failure and a mechanic finding a missing cradle bolt. Reported from low mileage on one car up to about 256,000 miles on another; no consistent pattern.

   Recall 00V189000

   What to check: Ask a mechanic to check engine mounts, cradle bolts and the intermediate steering shaft for wear or looseness, and listen for clunks or thuds from the front end during a slow turn.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consume r was traveling about 45mph and engine cradle bolts were rusted and frame fell apart. He had no steering on the vehicle. Dealership was aware, and tmechanic fixed the problem. Rear right steering collumn was inoperative because the cradle washers were rusted and the cradle broke as the result of rusting.”

   NHTSA complaint #874157, filed 2000-10

   “Consumer states attempted to accelerate from a stop light and steering wheel turned completely around in a circle and consumer lost control. Dlr determined that the engine cradel bolts broke. Current recall 00v189000 does not include consumer's vehicle. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #8021811, filed 2002-10
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Seat belts will not retract

   • 16 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 7.6 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe shoulder belts that hang loose or fail to retract, in some cases because the plastic guide cover became brittle and the springs came out. Owners say the belts stayed extended while driving, and one noted the dealer replaced the retractor, while another was told belt coverage ended at a mileage limit. Mostly reported on older, higher-mileage cars without a clear mileage figure in the complaints.

   Recall 92V003000

   What to check: Buckle and release every belt and pull each one fully out to see that it retracts smoothly; check the front door shoulder-belt guide loops for cracks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front seat belts do not retract, remain extended, hang loose when occupied. Occupants not properly restrained. Also, door handles do not open doors from outside, repaired twice, problem still exists.”

   NHTSA complaint #814737, filed 1997-07

   “Driver and passenger seat belts do not properly release from retracting mechanism, causing seat belts to become inoperable. Dealer replaced retractor. Please give any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #8002694, filed 2002-01

Buying note. Two checks matter most on this model year: the condition of the rear brakes and the corrosion at the engine cradle bolts and retainers, and it is worth confirming in writing whether recall 00V189000 or 97V058000 work applies to the specific VIN. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is reasonable given how often owners report rust-related steering and brake problems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.