Model year guide

1997 Chevrolet Lumina

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Chevrolet Lumina at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints371
Combined18–21 mpg
Typical price$1,322

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina recalls 2

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

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.

Steering:rack And Pinion NHTSA Campaign #03V527000 · 11/12/2003

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.

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…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina common problems

Owners have filed 371 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,322
High
$3,995

From 10 comparable 1997 Chevrolet Lumina listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250
Fuel only$17,250
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LS
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

1997 Chevrolet Lumina vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Lumina model years

1997 Chevrolet Lumina — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?

Owners have filed 371 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are steering, air bags, electrical system.

What is the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina get?

The 1997 Chevrolet Lumina has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Comparable 1997 Chevrolet Lumina listings run roughly $500–$3,995, typically around $1,322 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.