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 317 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina, and it carries 3 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 | 159 | 50% |
| Electrical system | 27 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 21 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 5% |
| Power train | 11 | 3% |
| Visibility | 8 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Structure | 7 | 2% |
| Tires | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT A LIGHT, WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE. MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG ON DIAGNOSTICS TO FIX
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW FIRESTONE FR380 195/75/14 TIRES FOR MY DAUGHTER'S 1993 CHEVY LUMINA. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2008 FOR HER CAR WHEN THE CAR HAD 58,868 MILES ON IT AND THE CAR NOW HAS 60,256 MILES.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WASHER MOTOR, HOWEVER; THE F
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE DISC CALIPERS WERE BAD. THE DISC CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
SIDE IMPACT FAILURE, STEERING FAILURE, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. SEVERE RIGHT SIDE IMPACT ON FEBRUARY 28, 2005 MODERATE WEATHER CONDITIONS. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. WHICH CAUSED THE CAR HARD TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
PROBLEMS WITH 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA.*MR THE SEAT RISER WAS BROKEN IN FIVE PLACES AND THE SEAT IN TWO. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED NOR HAS THE VEHICLE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONS
NHTSA complaint: Seats
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, CONSUMER SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN AND VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING IMMOBILE. DEALER WAS INFORMED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 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.
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Risk: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below 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 317 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 159 of them (50%). There are 3 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 1993 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.