Complaints
438
Crashes
45
Fires
11
Injuries
39
Fatalities
7
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Chevrolet Lumina Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#138 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
Avg mileage:103,911 mi
Crash-related:3
#220 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:266,561 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#318 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:120,690 mi
Crash-related:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 38 | 3 | — | 103,911 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 20 | 3 | 1 | 266,561 mi | |
| Airbags | 18 | 6 | — | 120,690 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 | — | — | 102,700 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 16 | — | — | 59,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 15 | 15 | — | 137,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | 2 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 | — | — | 75,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 | — | — | 69,763 mi | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 8 | — | — | 55,490 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 2 | — | 88,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 7 | — | — | 58,432 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | 1 | 110,874 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | 2 | 60,000 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 6 | — | 1 | 47,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | 1 | — | 48,500 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 5 | — | — | 85,712 mi | |
| Body Structure | 5 | 1 | — | 60,000 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Steering:Rack And Pinion
38
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,911
Steering Defects
20
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
266,561
Airbags
18
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,690
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,700
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,000
Air Bags:Frontal
15
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
—
Avg Miles
137,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,763
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,490
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,000
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,432
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
110,874
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
60,000
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
47,000
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,500
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,712
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,000
Tires:Tread/Belt
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Lumina Years
1997 Chevrolet Lumina — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Chevrolet Lumina has 438 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Rack And Pinion with 38 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
Top reported problems: Steering:Rack And Pinion (38 complaints, avg 103,911 mi); Steering Defects (20 complaints, avg 266,561 mi); Airbags (18 complaints, avg 120,690 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 107,339 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina include 45 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 39 injuries, and 7 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Lumina reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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