10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 119,952 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Key stuck in on position will not allow engine to be turned off in either park or neutral. Will turn towards start. Car will drive but unable to turn car off unless power is unplugged from steering column. Was at work with no way to turn car off had to leave running till power was disconnected. Upon research found that this was a common issue reported for the 97-98 Chevy Lumina believe that this should be a safety recall
- Missoula, MT, USA
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.
- Springfield, MO, USA
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. Plus tendays in a coma lost a $50 K yr job and sent to a nursing home to spend my 33rd, thanksgnd christmas in until I was released from guardianship. 12/30/13 please help! how is the 1997 Malibu different than all the Luminas recalls? same year. GM istrying to cut there costs oh but they messed up.
- Springfield, MO, USA
I was traveling home. Lost control and could not turn. The steering went out, and fuel system. I was left in a coma for ten days. My airbag did not deploy like it was developed to do. I received a traumatic brain injury because of the lack of it deploying broke 11 bones. 7 ribs and four vertebraes. Spent a month in lester E cox hospital (South), 4 months in the university or Missouri brain injury unit was awarded a state guardian, [xxx], and spent 3 months in maries manor located in vienna Missouri. The state guardian cleaned me out of all assets even though I had two insurances. One cigna and one medicaid. So none of my money went to medical care but to pay his 3 attorney fees. My traumatic brain injury I deal with every day. It does not go away. For life. Your firm covered up nearly 15 years of another recall that does not deploy the airbag in many vehicles. No more! 11 months is too long. Please investigate my accusation. I am a member of thr Missouri brain injury association. And all my medical care can and will be verified. You have my contact info updated 09/05/14 updated 09/12/2014
- Springfield, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled completely losing all power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to a local mechanic who stated that the tire rods were defective, the engine mounts had fallen out, and there were electrical problems. The mechanic repaired the tie road and engine mount. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was 199,876.
- Mena, AR, USA
My husband was driving to work when an elk ran out infront of him. He swerved left to avoid the elk, the car or wheels or steering wheel locked up and the car was thrown to the right causing it to roll 4 to 5 times.
- Show Low, AZ, USA
The consumer stated the steering has become very difficult to turn. Please provide additional information.
- Stroudsburg, PA, USA
Vehicle was missing the steering shaft seal. Shaft seal was missing after a recall repair was performed on the consumer's vehicle. Also, consumer said that no prior repair was done that could have took off the missing steering shaft seal. Component was installed on the vehicle. Consumer felt that part wasn't present in the vehicle when it was assembled. Called General Motors (GM) but has no answer.
- Louisville, KY, USA
When a left turn was made, the vehicle became difficult to steer. (the steering wheel had become stiff) an independent mechanic was unable to find the cause of the problem. The consumer stated the problem usually happened at low speeds.
- Saginaw, MI, USA
While making a left turn the steering locked up. The consumer turned the steering wheel back and forward and the steering wheel unlocked. The service technician noticed that the steering pump and rack.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
Difficulty in steering vehicle when making left turns. Cause of the problem has not been determined.
- Oshkosh, WI, USA
I own a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. The steering mechanism has a sporadic problem which makes it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel at low speeds. Many times I have had to panic brake in order to stop the vehicle because it won't turn quickly enough to avoid other objects. This has been going on since I bought the car (May 1997). I've returned it to the local GM dealer who tells me there is nothing wrong with it. GM sent me a letter in January of 2003 saying that my model was being recalled and I would receive another letter. No other communication arrived. When I checked at the GM dealer and on the GM recall web site, it reported that my model was not affected. I read in the newspaper today that NHTSA is conducting an investigation into steering issues involving this vehicle. I can assure you that my car has those issues and GM has been unwilling to do anything about it.
- Farmersville, OH, USA
Loss of left steering.
- Morley, MI, USA
Consumer states while driving on flat surface and with no warning steering wheel locked up, causing a vehicle accident. Dealer notified.
- Creola, AL, USA
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.
- Canton, OH, USA
1997 Chevrolet Lumina, steering locks up when turning left.
- Canton, OH, USA
1997 Chevrolet Lumina steering problem. I saw that there was a recall of this vehicle, but I have not been notified.
- Chula Vista, CA, USA
Steering locked-up making a left turn on several occasions, the last of which when my wife and 3 kids were in the car. Lock-up even occured to the GM service man when he dropped me off at work before completing the repair. GM claims that it is a part that must have been worn out since the warranty is expired due to years. Only 36,000 miles on this vehicle, even the cavalier steering racks last the life of the car. This is a defective part that GM needs to fix. Nlm
- Monaca, PA, USA
Vehicle has experienced brake problems, front rotors have been replaced twice, front brake pads have been replaced, rear shoes glazed. Steering gear replaced due to consumer losing power steering while driving, power steering pump was replaced, rack was also replaced. Water pump was leaking and was replaced. Air bag light illuminated, dealer stated sir coil inoperative.
- Massillon, OH, USA
- Greenville, MI, USA