1997 Chevrolet Lumina Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 10%of 347 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,975miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina, 10% of the 347 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,975 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I was driving home veered off the left side of the road lost control the power steering went out spun in circles until finally hitting a concrete culvert neither airbag deployed. I broke 4 vertebraes 7 ribs and received a traumatic brain injury. Couldn't even recall my parents foe months or even they lived together . Laid in the car til paramedic found me about an hor later. The airbag was designed to prevent head injury. The 1997 chevy Lumina failed horribly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10616176, filed 2014-07“Lost control of the vehicle driving home. Crashed. Police report is identical to steering recall. Which never was repaired. The VIN number I have at home. Neither airbag deployed even though I smashed into a culvert.”
NHTSA complaint #10619285, filed 2014-08“The air bag on the passenger side of my car has 2 half dollar size holes in it one burnt looking and the other ripped both on even sides the drivers side one deployed right because he had to shove mine out of my face his went flat automatically throwing him into the wind shield and also his seatbelt broke from the plastic part from the door not helping the matter any.”
NHTSA complaint #756010, filed 2001-12“Airbag indicator light on instrument cluster always on, indicating that airbag is non-operational. Dealer cited a technical service bulletin on service order, but repairs quoted to be paid by owner. Problem is related to high resistance in the wiring harness for the airbag. I have talked with other owners of 1997 Lumina's who have had the same problem (people I work with). This is too common of a problem to be left as a TSB. This should be corrected (recall or otherwise). …”
NHTSA complaint #714539, filed 1999-11Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
88 complaintsEngine cooling
52 complaintsFuel system
50 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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