Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 2000 Chevrolet Lumina is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 36 owner complaints run below the Lumina median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (8), transmission (8), and electrical system (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
36
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 22% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 8 | 22% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 4 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Child Seat | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
6 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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDING THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL HOSE FILL NECK CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE.
Consequence
THE REAR WHEEL CAN SHIFT, CAUSING REAR STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SPINDLE BOLTS.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE IS INCORRECTLY ROUTED BEHIND THE BRAKE PIPE BRACKET RESTRICTING BRAKE HOSE MOVEMENT THAT COULD CAUSE THE HOSE TO EITHER BE CUT BY THE BRACKET OR SEPARATED AT THE CALIPER.
Consequence
IF THE HOSE BECOMES DISCONNECTED OR DAMAGED, THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF PRESSURE IN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP MAY BE ON, THE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL, AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND CORRECTLY ROUTE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAVE AN UNDERSIZED INFLATOR ORIFICE.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THIS UNDERSIZED ORIFICE CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF AN AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND/OR PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULES.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, AND WATER WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR. I HAD TO HAVE TO CAR TOWED. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED OVER THE CAR SAID THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY GASKETS. *TR”
“I HAD THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED ON MAY 2008, VEHICLE ONLY HAD 75000 MILES AT THAT TIME, NOW THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT ALMOST EVERY DAY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR”
“ON MANY OCCASIONS THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON THIS 2000 MALIBU HAS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES. ONE TIME IT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR STALLED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. *JB”
“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. NLM”
“CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK IN BUSY TRAFFIC, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND CUT IT OFF, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME, CONSUMER COULD ALMOST FEEL HOW FAR HE COULD PRESS DOWN BEFORE IT GOT STUCK, CONSUMER THOUGHT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, BUT…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 36 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Lumina year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation 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.