1993 Chevrolet Lumina

243 federal complaints (344 component records) · 1 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 18 service bulletins · 6 Canadian recalls
See all 14 model years of the Chevrolet Lumina →
Engine
2.2L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
18 city / 26 hwy
Federal complaints
243
Recall campaigns
1
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Brakes
180
Electrical system
36
Engine & cooling
21
Seat belts
20
Power train
12
Fuel system
10
Glass & wipers
9
Steering
8
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 5 complaints01 years old: 8 complaints2 years old: 39 complaints3 years old: 41 complaints4 years old: 24 complaints5 years old: 10 complaints56 years old: 20 complaints7 years old: 16 complaints8 years old: 11 complaints9 years old: 5 complaints10 years old: 1 complaints1011 years old: 0 complaints12 years old: 0 complaints13 years old: 1 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 1 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 1 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 185 of 243 complaints with a usable failure date.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Brakes

180 complaint records8 crash reports
"BRAKE PEDAL HARD IN THE MORNING, ALSO EXPERIENCING LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, REPLACE FRONT PADS AND TURN FRONT ROTORS. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Electrical system

36 complaint records9 fire reports2 crash reports
"ABS BRAKES FAILED TWICE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT; ALSO REPLACED ROTORS/PADS/CALIPERS/STARTER/ALTERNATOR/WIPERS/TIRES. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

21 complaint records2 fire reports
"WHENEVER SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET IT SLIPPS ON THE PULLEY, CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND ALTERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE94063
opened Aug 1994
closed Dec 1994Service Brakes, HydraulicCORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
There is no summary currently available

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
93V035000SeatsTHE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2000080
2000-03-21
Accessories200,580On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles.
2000052
2000-03-06
Steering13,717On certain vehicles located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, extreme levels of moisture and salt can result in corrosion at or near the engine cradle mounts resulting in possible failure of the mounts.
1998179
1998-09-14
Emissions27,450Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. Correction: Dealers will replace the evaporative emission canister purge solenoid valve. Also, the oldsmobile cutlass supreme convertible will have the prom replaced.
1994164
1994-10-25
Structure91,943THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE WHICH COULD PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE ASSEMBLY.
1994039
1994-02-21
Seats And Restraints23,363THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH REAR SEATS WHICH MAY BE INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW CENTRE SEATING POSITION.
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
1993026
1993-03-03
Seats And Restraints361Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 207 - Anchorage of Seats. Front seat back recliner mechanism may not latch properly. Correction: Driver and passenger front seat back recliner machanisms will be replaced.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
01880
Jan 2004
Power TrainNO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT
990730030A
Apr 2001
Power TrainOWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT
990730030
Dec 1999
Power TrainSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT
990309004
Oct 1999
SuspensionCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT
98033
Nov 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VLAVE REPLACEMENT AND CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *YC
Show 13 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
98033
Oct 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingVOLUNTARY EMISSION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT AND, CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *TT
876002A
Jul 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT
970801735026
Aug 1997
Service BrakesCOMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC
676001
Feb 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingEXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (REPLACE PCV HARNESS). *TW
577106A
Feb 1997
Power TrainCOLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW
577106A
Dec 1996
Power TrainCOLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW
9573T4001
Aug 1995
Power TrainGRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE.*SD
531018
Jun 1995
VisibilityUNKNOWN
577104
Feb 1995
Power TrainHARSH 1-2 UPSHIFTS. *TW
577106
Feb 1995
Power TrainCOLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW
435012A
Jan 1995
Service BrakesABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *TW
133405
Jan 1995
SuspensionREAR STRUT RELATED THUMPING/SQUEAKING NOISE. *TW
435012
Dec 1994
Service BrakesABS WIRE HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAY RUB ON THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. *TW

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Chevrolet Lumina →