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 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina, and it carries 4 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 | 180 | 41% |
| Electrical system | 48 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 34 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 33 | 7% |
| Power train | 21 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 3% |
| Wheels | 13 | 3% |
| Structure | 12 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 2% |
| Seats | 11 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 CRASH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE MEDIAN BARRIER. *KB (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 AN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 B
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 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 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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
THERE IS FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL TANK FILL AND/OR VENT PIPE EXTENSION SOLDER JOINTS.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE IF EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Risk: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | 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 444 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 180 of them (41%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 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 68/100. 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.