Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 438 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Lumina year — the 1997 model ranks #5 of 17 Lumina years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 7 deaths and 39 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (90), engine (56), and fuel system (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
438
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
2
Investigations
45
Crash-involved
11
Fires reported
39
Injuries
7
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 90 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 56 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 52 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 40 | 9% | — flat |
| Airbags | 38 | 9% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 30 | 7% | — flat |
| Transmission | 21 | 5% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 20 | 5% | — flat |
| Lighting | 18 | 4% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 14 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 12 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Other | 11 | 3% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 11 | 3% | — flat |
| Suspension | 10 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 0% | — flat |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED…”
“LUMINA HAD 33698 MILES AND WAS CLATTERING WHEN COLD STARTING, LASTS 3-10 MINUTES, CALLED DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT, DEALER SAYS IT IS PISTON SLAP AND IT IS COMMON, NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. GETS WORSE AND WORSE AS THE MILES RACK UP. CAR HAS BEEN IN THREE TIMES FOR ENGINE CLATTER AND HAVE BEEN…”
“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE VEHICLE MELTED DOWN TO THE FRAME, ALSO CONSUMERS HOUSE BURNED DOWN, IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY THE FUEL PUMP AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS.*JB”
“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.…”
“WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 438 complaints put the 1997 model at #5 of 17 Lumina years. It is one of the Lumina years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (90 complaints), engine (56 complaints), fuel system (52 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lumina years to avoid are 1995, 1990, 1992, 1991, 1997, 1993, 1996. The cleanest record among Lumina years belongs to 2002.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.