1997 Chevrolet Lumina recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 LUMINA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E021000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Summary: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
What could happen: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 LUMINA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V527000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-608-8080.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Notes: GM RECALL NO. 03062. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1997 Chevrolet Lumina owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (88), Engine (56), Fuel system (53), Gasoline (44), Brakes (41).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/13/2019 · Steering · fire
I'M DRIVING AND MY STEERING IS TIGHT AND WHEN TURNING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE ITS PARK. YOU CAN ALSO SMELL LIKE SOME THING BURNING
12/17/2016 · Airbags
DASHBOARD COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS DETACHED/PULLED AWAY AND BUCKLED UP FROM THE FOAM AIR BAG CASING. GM/CHEVROLET WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM VIA PHONE. THE RESPONSE GIVEN BY GM/CHEVROLET REPRESENTATIVE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS TOO OLD TO WARRANT THEIR ATTENTION/REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE CH…
08/03/2016 · Steering
KEY STUCK IN ON POSITION WILL NOT ALLOW ENGINE TO BE TURNED OFF IN EITHER PARK OR NEUTRAL. WILL TURN TOWARDS START. CAR WILL DRIVE BUT UNABLE TO TURN CAR OFF UNLESS POWER IS UNPLUGGED FROM STEERING COLUMN. WAS AT WORK WITH NO WAY TO TURN CAR OFF HAD TO LEAVE RUNNING TILL POWER WAS DISCONNECTED. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE REPORTED FOR T…
05/18/2016 · Airbags · crash
MY SON WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
07/29/2015 · Body / structure · crash
WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DAY ANOTHER DRIVER HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR CLOSE TO THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE THIS HIT CAUSED ME TO NO LONGER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY.
09/24/2014 · Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,890.
08/06/2014 · Steering · crash
LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DRIVING HOME. CRASHED. POLICE REPORT IS IDENTICAL TO STEERING RECALL. WHICH NEVER WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN NUMBER I HAVE AT HOME. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I SMASHED INTO A CULVERT. *TR
07/25/2014 · Steering
I WAS DRIVING HOME VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD LOST CONTROL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SPUN IN CIRCLES UNTIL FINALLY HITTING A CONCRETE CULVERT NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I BROKE 4 VERTEBRAES 7 RIBS AND RECEIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. COULDN'T EVEN RECALL MY PARENTS FOE MONTHS OR EVEN THEY LIVED TOGETHER . LAID IN THE CAR TIL PARAMEDIC FOUND ME…