10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
343 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.

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problem #7

Sep 092005

Lumina 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,400 miles
Concern: 1999 low mileage Chevrolet Lumina. Problems with the ABS and traction control systems. Corrosion or defective wheel sensors can cause total loss of braking at slow speeds. My customer explained that his ABS light was on for several months. He had driven threw his fence after turning into his driveway. He mentioned that he would lose all braking if the traction control and ABS light came on at the same time, the ABS and traction control unit was actuating. It was my understanding that if the ABS light was on in all vehicles the ABS would drop out of the braking system rendering the vehicle with conventional brakes. I guess this is not true with some late model gms. I have learned that diagnosing intermittent wheel sensors and wiring is a daunting task. The vehicle we worked on had a defective right front wheel sensor. We scoped the signal from the sensor and it showed perfect amplitude, voltage and wave form. Further testing showed it read open with an ohmmeter. Unless the circuit is completely open or shorted testing the wheel sensors and wiring with an ohmmeter or a scope is useless at times. In the past following a GM trouble code flow chart was useless, the fix was to rewire and replace the suspect parts.. I feel that GM should recall these vehicles. Or at least offer the replacement parts including a reprogrammed traction control/ABS controller at a reasonable price. Searching the archives I found one other late model GM with the same type of problems and loss of low speed braking. 1997 Pontiac Grand Am engine: 2.4 L / 146 cid / 4 cyl / gas / DOHC fuel: Fuel injection ignition: Distributorless trans: 4-speed automatic transaxle (electronic) mileage: 95,000 mi VIN: [xxx] time. Today customer comes in with a complaint of clicking, loss of pedal, and no stop. Customer was in today we got the ABS to actuate and he said thats what it was doing. Updated 07/19/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #6

Sep 242002

(reported on)

Lumina

  • miles
Consumer states that the braking performance in wet weather or wet condition is reduced more then expected. A recall has been issued on similar problem. Feel free to provide amny further information.

- Amissville, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 302002

(reported on)

Lumina

  • miles
Brakes fail to engage properly when wet (from rain or car wash). Same problem as NHTSA campaignim01I014000. Not a recall but looking at the complaints for Lumina and Monte Carlo I think it should be. Feel free to drive mine and see what you think.

- Henderson, NC, USA

problem #4

Jul 152000

Lumina

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ongoing severe braking problems upon applying brakes on wet roads. It causes extended stopping distances. The vehicle has been to two separate dealers and one repair shop, no one is able T0 locate the cause of the problem. The consumer states that thae characteristics of the problem are the same as those described for the 95-99 Monte Carlo's-NHTSA sic #011014000; are built on, (the same chasis and use the same components).

- Amissville, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 052002

(reported on)

Lumina

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes after 35mph on wet roads, brakes failed. Felt like not having brakes when applied, and extended stopping distance. Brakes were getting wet and a few seconds later, would dry out before catching. Had been in contact with dealer and informed no recall.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

problem #2

Oct 102000

(reported on)

Lumina

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving in rainy weather conditions with wet pavement brakes get wet. Vehicle is very hard to stop, brake pedal gets very hard which causes delay in braking, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause of the problem.

- Lebanon, NY, USA

problem #1

Mar 012000

Lumina

  • miles
While driving in the rain, the brake pedal gets soft with 1" - 2" of free travel, the brakes fade out and the brake pedal get real hard. The dealer said that's the way Lumina brakes are. Upon my insisting, the dealer replaced the front pads and turned the rotors which improved braking in the rain. The dealer would not replace the rear pads or turn the rear rotor even though the rear rotor is stained and pitted. A Chevy dealer mechanic told me that to correct the problems that my Lumina is having the brake pads have to be replaced and the rotors turned or replaced.

- Berlin, MD, USA