Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 549 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 274 | 50% |
| Structure | 51 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 30 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 26 | 5% |
| Steering | 25 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 4% |
| Wheels | 12 | 2% |
| Visibility | 11 | 2% |
| Suspension | 11 | 2% |
| Seats | 11 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR PANELS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE EXPOSED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN ON FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION STOP SIGN. I WHEN TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE FRAME OF THE CAR JUST FELL APART AND I HAD NO STEERING. I ENDED UP IN A PERSONS YARD. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN HEAVY TRAFFIC OF IF I
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE FILLING THE RADIATOR WITH ANTI-FREEZE A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AGE OF TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DT:THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V189000 CONCERNING FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED, AND THE FRAME DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ALSO, THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE: 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA, [XXX] 1. OCTOBER 2, 2000: VEHICLE WAS EXITING SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT ON DUKE RD. IN CHEEKTOWAGA, NY. 2. VEHICLE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS FAIL, CAUSING STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO SEPARATE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH, THE REAR BACK WINDOW/GLASS AND IT'S MOLDING EXPLODED OUTWARDS INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE WINDOW/GLASS WASN'T PROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT ROLLED OVER TWICE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGI
Risk: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Risk: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Fix: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 549 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 274 of them (50%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.