1993 Chevrolet Lumina problems & reliability
243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
8 complaints report injuries (17 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1993 Chevrolet Lumina vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 132 | 54% |
| Electrical System | 29 | 12% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 7% |
| Seat Belts | 17 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 4% |
| Power Train | 9 | 4% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Visibility | 8 | 3% |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% |
| Tires | 7 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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”
Engine · filed Sep 26, 2015
“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. On november 20, 2008 her passenger front tire blew and caused her to hit a tree. She was seen by a…”
Tires · filed Nov 24, 2008
“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 failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 126,000.”
Visibility · filed Aug 14, 2007
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
Preliminary Evaluation PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994
Technical service bulletins
19 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina. The 10 most recent:
No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, tcc surge, possible p0740, p1870, or 39 after installation of a reman (srta) 4t60/4t60e. *tt
01880 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension. *tt
990309004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Evaporative emission canister purge solenoid vlave replacement and convertible only, prom replacement. *yc
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 10, 1998
Voluntary emission campaign involving the evaporative emission canister purge solenoid valve replacement and, convertible only, prom replacement. *tt
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 19, 1998
Voluntary emission recall campaign - evaporative emission conister purge solenoid valve replacement and, convertible only, prom replacement. *yc
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1998
Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil…
876002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998
Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc
970801735026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1993 Chevrolet Lumina?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.