1995 Chevrolet Lumina Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two recurring problems: rear brake lights that quit working as the turn signal switch wears, and windshield wipers that run intermittently or stop altogether. Coolant leaks from intake and head gaskets, anti-lock brake faults and transmission failures account for most of the remaining reports. Many complaints are filed on cars with well over 80,000 miles, and several owners note that a related campaign did not cover their vehicle's VIN.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Brake lights fail as turn signal switch wears

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report that the rear brake lights stop working or work only intermittently, while the high-mount stop lamp, the rear directionals and the tail lights still function. Several say moving or wiggling the turn signal lever brings the brake lights back for a while, and mechanics have traced the fault to the turn signal switch, which the brake light circuit runs through. Some had the switch or a related relay replaced at their own expense, and a few state the dealer or manufacturer referred them elsewhere once the vehicle was outside warranty coverage. Reported mostly between roughly 85,000 and 175,000 miles, often noticed only when another driver points it out.

   What to check: With the key on, have someone stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal and move the turn signal lever up and down; if the brake lights flicker or drop out, the switch is the likely spot. Ask whether the turn signal switch has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake lights work intermittently. I have to wiggle turn signal switch to get them to work again. I can only verify by having someone else outside the vehicle. Looking on this website and others, I see this is a very common problem. The cause is usually listed as the turn signal switch. I believe this should be a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10039377, filed 2003-09, 115,000 miles

   “(1) I had been having trouble with my turn signals on my 1995 Chevrolet Lumina ls vehicle for a little while. However, recently I found out that not only had my turn signals malfunctioned, but that they took out my brake lights with it. (2) while the window mounted brake light works, my rear lights (running and brake) do not work at all, resulting in the inability to use my vehicle. (3) at this point, I have been unable to correct the failure due to lack of funds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10112692, filed 2005-03, 175,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or run intermittently

   • 58 complaints (12%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Complaints describe wipers that pause, run at the wrong speed, refuse to switch off, or quit entirely, sometimes mid-stroke during rain. A few owners mention plastic or rubber pieces coming apart at the wiper arms and smearing the windshield. According to the complaints, dealers either could not reproduce the problem, replaced the washer/wiper switch, or told owners their VIN was not included in the wiper switch wiring campaign. Reported from about 40,000 to 120,000 miles, frequently while driving in rain or at night.

   Recall 97V017000

   What to check: Cycle the wipers through every delay and speed setting, watch for hesitation or failure to park, and ask whether the wiper switch was replaced or whether campaign 97V017000 was performed on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I began having problems with my windshield wipers only working sporadically, and when discussing with a friend, I discovered there might be a recall regarding my vehicle. When I went online to search if I was covered, I discovered multiple GM recalls that covered the problem I was having, and online it seemed as though my van qualified. When I phoned a dealer with my VIN #, I was told I was not covered under the recall. I believe that my vehicle is experiencing the same problem covered by the recall of thousands of other GM vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10136345, filed 2005-09, 82,000 miles

   “While driving during rainy weather, the front windshield wipers failed to work. The wipers failed many times before the problem was remedied. In one particular incident, the consumer were caught in a rain storm.”

   NHTSA complaint #10076183, filed 2004-07, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks at intake and head gaskets

   • 30 complaints (6%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Owners describe low-coolant lamps, temperature warnings, coolant on the driveway and a sweet smell, sometimes with no visible puddle because the coolant is being consumed. Mechanics in the complaints point to intake manifold gaskets, head gaskets and, in one case, the water pump; some report the engine stalling or running rough once coolant entered the engine. Repairs described include replacing gaskets or the pump, and one owner was told the plastic intake manifold had cracked. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 140,000 miles, in some cases first noticed as a slow loss of coolant.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level cold, look for dried residue around the intake and head gasket seams, and ask whether intake gaskets, head gaskets or the water pump have been replaced. Also confirm the cooling fan shuts off with the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intake gaskets leak. I just bought a car less than three weeks ago, and a few days ago, the car started heating up, the hot light lit up, and low coolant light came on. I pulled over right away and had to put some windshield washer fluid in the overflow bottle so I could get somewhere, to call someone. They brought antifreeze, and when we went to fill the radiator, it was already full. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010359, filed 2003-03, 108,000 miles

   “Vehicle intake manifold gasket is leaking. This is due to the manifold being made of plastic which breaks and causes it to leak. Gm is aware of this flaw but I did not see recalls so I am reporting this matter in hopes there can be a recall for the faulty part.”

   NHTSA complaint #10428150, filed 2011-10, 142,353 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Anti-lock brake faults, hard or low pedal

   • 72 complaints (15%)
   • typically at 3.1 yrs old
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe anti-lock and traction warning lamps that stay on, a pedal that goes to the floor and then recovers on a second press, and a hard pedal with no power assist. One technician reported finding the vacuum hose to the brake booster softened and partly collapsed, cutting assist intermittently. Owners also mention front wheels locking under braking and occasional noise with reduced braking at low speed; dealers suggested a diagnostic scan or restarting the car. Mileage was not recorded in most of these complaints; several describe the symptoms at highway speed or during a routine road test.

   What to check: Confirm the ABS and traction lamps come on at start-up and then go out, and test the pedal for firmness with the engine running. Ask for brake service records and have the booster vacuum hose inspected for softness or oil contamination.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On a road test for a customer I lost the brakes, as it developed a hard pedal without power assist. The condition was intermittent. Upon investigation I discovered the vacuum hose from the back of the intake to the power booster was softened with oil contamination and had begun to collapse cutting off vac to the booster. I installed a new hose assembly but this came out of nowhere and could cause problems for any driver at any time. The vehicle was a 1995 chevy Lumina 3.4 v6. Clearance is very tight where the hose runs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140302, filed 2005-10

   “All lights associated with the anti-lock break system come on shortly after starting vehicle.: service traction control, service anti-lock and traction control. I clearly lose the antilock brake feature. At times brakes make a funny noise and car loses braking for several feet at low speeds. Dealer says chevy is aware and says they will deal with it after y2k and for now to shut off the vehicle and start it again. This does not fix the problem for very long!”

   NHTSA complaint #729622, filed 2000-08
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slips, grinds or loses gears

   • 42 complaints (9%)
   • median 129,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Owners report harsh or delayed shifting, a loud noise before the car stops moving, and a shift into overdrive that feels like neutral. In some cases the car would only move in first gear afterwards, and in others the torque converter was identified as the failed part. Complaints describe dealers replacing transmissions or converters, and one owner reported going through several units before the manufacturer supplied another. Reported mostly on higher-mileage cars, above 130,000 miles, often with little warning beforehand.

   What to check: Drive the car long enough to reach overdrive and check for delayed or slipping shifts, and ask for transmission service records. Look for fluid leaks and confirm the torque converter or transmission has not been replaced more than once.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car was running fine and then when it shifted through the gears when it went to change into overdrive it was like it just went into neutral. I pulled over and tried all the gears again and there was a light gringing sound and all it would work in was 1st gear so I got to drive home at a lightning speed of bout 10 to 15 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #10248659, filed 2008-11, 193,000 miles

   “Car was purchased at a dealership. I understood it was a used car and I wanted to purchase the extended warranty, but dealership would not let us. Two weeks after purchase the transmission blew. We bought another transmission from dealership and then that one failed. Finally, I complained to the manufacturer and received a new transmission. This car has had a total of 3 transmissions, new head gaskets and now the engine failed. The locks on passenger and driver side do not work. The car was well maintained. …”

   NHTSA complaint #742803, filed 2001-03

Buying note. These are old cars, so condition and service history matter more than the model year itself; brake lights, wipers, cooling system and transmission are the areas complaints describe most. Have a pre-purchase inspection verify that the brake lights work with the turn signal in every position and that the coolant level holds, and ask about recall or campaign work performed on the specific VIN.

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.