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Chevrolet LuminaModel year report

1997 Chevrolet Lumina Problems

Complaints
347filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,500miles, 80 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the steering going stiff or locking up, particularly in left turns, and many complaints tie that symptom to the rack and pinion and to recall work that owners say did not resolve it. Complaints also cover coolant leaks at the lower intake manifold gasket, fuel leaks from a rusted tank, and lights or start problems.

  1. Steering

    Steering locks or goes stiff, mostly in left turns

    • 70 complaints (20%)
    • median 92,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (37 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1997–2019

    Owners describe the steering wheel becoming very hard to turn or feeling locked, most often while making a left turn at low speed, sometimes with a pop or with the wheel re-centering off line. Several report the vehicle was towed or the rack and pinion was replaced; others say a power steering pump replacement did not change the symptom. Complaints filed after recall 03V527000 work also describe continued hard steering or new pulling afterward, and some owners were told their vehicle identification number was not covered. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 230,000 miles, frequently in low-speed turns, parking lots and driveways.

    Recall 03V5270001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Turn the wheel fully both ways at low speed and listen or feel for stiffness, binding or a pop. Ask whether recall 03V527000 was performed and whether the rack and pinion has been replaced since.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina that my steering is locking up when turning left only, I have contacted Chevrolet and they indicate there is not a recall but reading your web site a notice was posted that GM will recall 1.5 million vehicles for a steering problem campaign id02v286000, but GM will not pay for any repairs because it is not a problem according to them. I have almost gotten in several accidents due to this problem and can not drive my car today.”

    NHTSA complaint #10018987, filed 2003-05, 72,375 miles

    “I have a 97 Chevrolet Lumina and started experiencing steering tightness when turning left. I heard about a re-call so I took my car to the Chevrolet dealer for help. I asked them if they could check the lower pinion bearing to see if that was the problem. They told me they knew nothing about any recall and said that my power steering pump was out. They couldn't get the part for a week. I was afraid to continue driving it the way it was so my husband changed the pump. There was no difference in the steering. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10043299, filed 2003-10, 163,950 miles
  2. Engine cooling

    Coolant leak at the lower intake manifold gasket

    • 37 complaints (11%)
    • median 76,908 mi at 7.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 1997–2010

    Owners describe coolant loss traced to the lower intake manifold gasket, sometimes with the repair done more than once, and they note the cost of the job plus related water pump work. Some complaints mention the engine stalling while driving and a loud lifter noise, especially in cold weather. Dealers quoted the gasket repair and in some cases replaced lifters without the noise going away. Mostly reported between about 65,000 and 160,000 miles, with one owner noting lifter noise louder in cold weather.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or seepage at the intake manifold edges; ask for receipts showing whether the intake gasket has been replaced.

    An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Gm should recall faulty intake manifold gasket installed in their vehicles . As of april 10, 2002, there is a nationwide backorder of the intake manifold gasket. At this time, is it not even known when the part will become available. Being aware of this proves there is a serious problem to be addressed. Because of apparent poor engineering, GM can not manufacture replacements fast enough for all the vehicles in which they are needed. Intake manifold leaks can lead to any number of very serious, and expensive, problems. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10010762, filed 2003-03, 66,500 miles
  3. Fuel system

    Fuel smell and leaks from the tank or pressure regulator

    • 44 complaints (13%)
    • median 65,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1996–2014

    Owners report a gasoline smell and puddles under the car, with the source traced to a rusted fuel tank or a leaking pressure regulator. One owner was told the tank rusted through because of road salt and limited driving. Others describe the fuel gauge reading wrong, jumping to full near empty or quitting entirely, which led to running out of gas; the fuel pump and sender assembly were replaced in one case. Reported from about 47,000 to 161,000 miles, with tank rust mentioned in snowy, salted-road conditions.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Smell around the filler neck and under the rear of the car after sitting, look at the top of the tank for rust, and confirm the fuel gauge moves smoothly through a fill-up.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I noticed the smell of gasoline. Initial searches for the source of the leak were unsuccessful, but after1 - 2 weeks it got worse and I was able to find it easily. The pressure regulator was leaking. I checked for a related recall and found that universal pressure regulators (upr's) produced after 1/9/07 had been recalled, but mine, I believe, is the original equipment pressure regulator. Nevertheless, it may have a design defect. The car has about 161,000 miles on it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10212448, filed 2007-12, 161,000 miles

    “Consumer stated fuel leaked. Dealer indicated that fuel tank rusted which produced a hole. The consumer stated that fuel leaked constantly from the vehicle. Moving or parked the consumer noticed a puddle of gas under the vehicle. The consumer was told that due to lack of driving the fuel tank rusted out.”

    NHTSA complaint #10099401, filed 2004-12, 53,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Brake lights and turn signals not working together

    • 14 complaints (4%)
    • median 73,900 mi at 9.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1998–2009

    Owners describe the center high-mount brake light working while the rear brake/turn combination lights do not, with the cause traced to the multi-function switch in the steering column. In one case a cracked hazard button fell into the switch assembly and jammed the flashers. Others report the car intermittently failing to start even after battery and alternator replacement, with one owner pointing to the key resistor. Mostly reported between about 65,000 and 130,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: With a helper, check that both rear brake lights and turn signals come on together, and try the hazard button. Ask whether the multi-function switch has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Twice now when trying to start my 1997 Lumina lights come on and car won't turn over. Something must be going on with the electrical system. After getting out of the car and leaving the key on, the car kicked over. Any reason for this type for behavior. Granted I know the car is getting older, but at 87k miles it makes me uneasy to go on any long jaunts.”

    NHTSA complaint #10259288, filed 2009-02, 87,000 miles

    “I have a 1997 chevy Lumina the car. My problem is that I have less than 80,000 miles on it and now it wont start. I have changed the battery and alternator. It seems to work then not work. An article in popular mechanic s magazine said that they had a lot of trouble with the resistor on the keys and that's what cased it to not start your input on this problem would be gladly accepted.”

    NHTSA complaint #10150074, filed 2006-02, 75,000 miles

Buying note. Pay closest attention to the steering, since it dominates the complaints and some owners report symptoms continuing after recall work; drive the car through slow full-lock turns before buying. Also budget for intake gasket, fuel tank and brake-light switch checks on a car of this age.

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.

NHTSA recorded 347 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. 80 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. Of all complaints, 34 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 28 an injury, 7 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (11), Vehicle speed control (11), Suspension (10), Seat belts (8), Tires (6), Wheels (5), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Equipment (2), Seats (2), Electronic stability control (1), Interior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “I own a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina that I received a recall notice from general motors asking me to select a GM dealer to make the repairs to the rack and pinion steering for which the car was recalled. The dealership stated that it would be over a month before they could schedule my appointment and even then, they would require keeping the car for one full day to accomplish the repairs. My concern is that I am driving in a dangerous situation, because the car's left turn gets stuck when driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #10058280, filed 2004-02, 95,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Dt: the trunk fell on the consumer's head three different times. Had brain surgery in 1997 and these three incident had deteriorate the consumer's health. Also, the muffler systems are stainless steel but the clamps are not stainless steel. Update 12/27/2005 - the trunk lid spring mechanism was not aligned properly. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but the said there were no recall for the trunk spring. The consumer's friend realigned the spring mechanism.”

NHTSA complaint #10140279, filed 2005-10, 80,000 miles

Fuel system: “I have 1997 Chevrolet Lumina:I have had this car for alittle ove 2 years and since I got this car I have had to replace the brakes twice the alternator and 3 fuel injectors and the booster pump I was just wondering if there is a recall that handles any of these problems .because then maybe I could get help from my dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10045560, filed 2003-11, 55,490 miles

Brakes: “Reimbursement for recall repairs made to 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. While attempting to turn into a parking lot the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. Almost three years later the consumer receives a recall related to the failure she experienced. The consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer but was denied because the part the technician replaced was not the part covered by recall 03v527000. The technician also replaced the power steering pump nd front brakes.”

NHTSA complaint #10079330, filed 2004-06, 87,056 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 80 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 64,352 and 112,801 miles.

0%0–101%10–256%25–5036%50–7520%75–10024%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (80 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’97’00’0361’06’09’14’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Lumina · sedan not rated5 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Chevrolet Lumina version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Lumina/Monte Carlo FWD3.1L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182621$3,200
Lumina/Monte Carlo FWD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152418$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 23 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Lumina

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20012156,7103—21—Stable
20003077,3005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199910363,2002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199822397,0633—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199734780,5001—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1996245113,5002—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995492100,0006—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199412697,7000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1993243125,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992342121,7092—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1991352110,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1990427123,3977—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Chevrolet Lumina model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?

Owners of this model year most often describe the steering going stiff or locking up, particularly in left turns, and many complaints tie that symptom to the rack and pinion and to recall work that owners say did not resolve it. The issues reported most often: Steering locks or goes stiff, mostly in left turns; Coolant leak at the lower intake manifold gasket; Fuel smell and leaks from the tank or pressure regulator.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina have?

NHTSA recorded 347 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 88 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 52.

Has the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina (Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina reported?

Among the 80 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 64,352 and 112,801 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.