CHEVROLET LUMINA · model year

1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA

483 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CHEVROLETLUMINA carries 483 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 14 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 LUMINA is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 49 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper (29) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1992 LUMINA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

483
Complaints
20
Crashes
14
Fires
25
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

483 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP49
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER29
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS28
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC28
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION12
WHEELS:RIM12
SEATS9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH8

Recent Complaints

20141204STEERING

SUBFRAME WASHERS RUST AND FAIL WHICH CAUSED IN THIS CASE THE STEERING RACK TO DISCONNECT . I HAVE BEEN AUTO TECH FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MAKES HAVE VERY CONCERNING SAFETY PROBLEMS . THE NHTSA HAS FAILED IN MY EYES . THE STATE I LIVE IN USES SALT SO THE PROBLEMS SHOW UP FASTER HERE IN RUST AND COLD RELATED PROBLEMS . MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS 4 ITEMS THAT I TRULY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT ARE NOT . 1 OF THEM MAKES MY DRIVER AIRBAG INOP . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY HELP I CAN BE PLEASE CONTACT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000,000

20141204ENGINE

SUBFRAME WASHERS RUST AND FAIL WHICH CAUSED IN THIS CASE THE STEERING RACK TO DISCONNECT . I HAVE BEEN AUTO TECH FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MAKES HAVE VERY CONCERNING SAFETY PROBLEMS . THE NHTSA HAS FAILED IN MY EYES . THE STATE I LIVE IN USES SALT SO THE PROBLEMS SHOW UP FASTER HERE IN RUST AND COLD RELATED PROBLEMS . MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS 4 ITEMS THAT I TRULY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT ARE NOT . 1 OF THEM MAKES MY DRIVER AIRBAG INOP . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY HELP I CAN BE PLEASE CONTACT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000,000

20141204POWER TRAIN

SUBFRAME WASHERS RUST AND FAIL WHICH CAUSED IN THIS CASE THE STEERING RACK TO DISCONNECT . I HAVE BEEN AUTO TECH FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MAKES HAVE VERY CONCERNING SAFETY PROBLEMS . THE NHTSA HAS FAILED IN MY EYES . THE STATE I LIVE IN USES SALT SO THE PROBLEMS SHOW UP FASTER HERE IN RUST AND COLD RELATED PROBLEMS . MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS 4 ITEMS THAT I TRULY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT ARE NOT . 1 OF THEM MAKES MY DRIVER AIRBAG INOP . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY HELP I CAN BE PLEASE CONTACT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000,000

20141204STRUCTURE

SUBFRAME WASHERS RUST AND FAIL WHICH CAUSED IN THIS CASE THE STEERING RACK TO DISCONNECT . I HAVE BEEN AUTO TECH FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN MANY MAKES HAVE VERY CONCERNING SAFETY PROBLEMS . THE NHTSA HAS FAILED IN MY EYES . THE STATE I LIVE IN USES SALT SO THE PROBLEMS SHOW UP FASTER HERE IN RUST AND COLD RELATED PROBLEMS . MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS 4 ITEMS THAT I TRULY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT ARE NOT . 1 OF THEM MAKES MY DRIVER AIRBAG INOP . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY HELP I CAN BE PLEASE CONTACT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000,000

20130210FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER PARKED LESS THEN 2 HOURS. THE SPARK PLUGS WORKED FINE, WITH SUFFICIENT SPARK. THE COMPRESSION WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL OF FUNCTION. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE FUEL INJECTORS TO BE STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN (FULL THROTTLE) POSITION. WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE FLOODED, PREVENTING IGNITION. AFTER A LONG DAY OF TRYING TO FIND A REASON, THE CAUSE WAS FOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS A METAL RETAINING BRACKET FOR THE WIRING SYSTEM THAT HAD WORN THROUGH THE COATING OF THE WIRE CONTROLLING THE INJECTOR POSITION/FUNCTION. THIS CAUSED IT TO GROUND ITSELF THROUGH THE METAL BRACKET, WHICH IS WHY IT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE BRACKET THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM IS MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE ON THE SERPENTINE BELT SIDE, BEHIND THE BELT. BETWEEN AC COMPRESSOR AND ALTERNATOR. SOLVED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DAMAGED WIRES AND BRACKET. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

20130210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER PARKED LESS THEN 2 HOURS. THE SPARK PLUGS WORKED FINE, WITH SUFFICIENT SPARK. THE COMPRESSION WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL OF FUNCTION. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE FUEL INJECTORS TO BE STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN (FULL THROTTLE) POSITION. WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE FLOODED, PREVENTING IGNITION. AFTER A LONG DAY OF TRYING TO FIND A REASON, THE CAUSE WAS FOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS A METAL RETAINING BRACKET FOR THE WIRING SYSTEM THAT HAD WORN THROUGH THE COATING OF THE WIRE CONTROLLING THE INJECTOR POSITION/FUNCTION. THIS CAUSED IT TO GROUND ITSELF THROUGH THE METAL BRACKET, WHICH IS WHY IT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE BRACKET THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM IS MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE ON THE SERPENTINE BELT SIDE, BEHIND THE BELT. BETWEEN AC COMPRESSOR AND ALTERNATOR. SOLVED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE DAMAGED WIRES AND BRACKET. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

20111028STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT SUB FRAME THAT CONTROLLED THE RACK AND PINION WAS CORRODED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20110317STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ENGINE FRAME BOLTS BROKE. *TR

Mileage: 325,010

20090825CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA. AFTER ADDING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE GAGE INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, WITHIN THREE DAYS ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND DESTROYED IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE PRIOR FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THERE WERE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR POLICE REPORTS FILED. REPORT NUMBER 71723371589 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20071024CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE MEDIAN BARRIER. *KB (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

20060117SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1992 LUMINA SEDAN BRAKE SPEED BLEEDERS WERE CHANGED 3 TIMES. *TS THE CONSUMER ORDERED BRAKE BLEEDERS FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY THAN WHERE HE ORDERED THEM BEFORE, BUT WHEN HE RECEIVED THEM, HE NOTICED THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY SEALER OR THREAD LOCKER ON THEM TO HELP PREVENT AIR AND/OR BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING. *JB

20050914STRUCTURE

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE BELOW LISTED RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 97V058000 THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. *JB

Mileage: 160,000

20050725POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: THE CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 91V214000, AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE REVERSE WORKED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT IS NO LONGER WORKING. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1993. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER DATE WAS TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL STARTED. THE TRANSMISSION WORKS IN ALL THE OTHER GEARS EXCEPT REVERSE. *JB

20041027STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS BEFORE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE WAS FOUND. THE REAR CRADLE BOLT HAD PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS BECAUSE OF CORROSION AS STATED IN RECALL 97V058000, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 125,000

20040812POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR TRANSMISSION STALLED ON 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA. *CB

20040318STEERING

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DRIVER TRY TO UNLOCK THE STEERING BUT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

20040203LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

PLASTIC COMPONENT OF HOOD LATCH RELEASE CABLE BROKE DURING COLD WEATHER. UNABLE TO CHECK/FILL COOLANT, WIPER FLUID ETC. ~$250 TO REPAIR. *AK

Mileage: 85,000

20040123STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. JUST RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 110,000

20040120SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED FROM IT'S BUCKLE WHILE DRIVING. LEAVING THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. *AK *NM

Mileage: 104,244

20040114STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRONT-ENGINE CRADLE BOLT RETAINING MOUNT SEPAATED DUE TO CORRSION, STAMPED BOLT FLANGE RUSTED THROUGH, FELL OFF AND WAS FOUND ON DRIVE WAY. I AM TAKING IT TO HAVE ALL FOUR REPLACED BEFORE THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION/CRADLE FALLS OUT ON THE GROUND. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING.*AK

Mileage: 123,000

Compare 1992CHEVROLETLUMINA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA have?
The 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA has 483 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 14 fires, 25 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 49 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS.
Is the 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.