AI Damage2000 Chevrolet Lumina: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 8 Child seat 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (27% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer's vehicle was rear ended when the backs of both front seats both broke. Vehicle was totaled. Manufacturer was conducting an investigation.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable and the steering wheel would unexpectedly pull to the side with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the seat belts failed to detach properly.
The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 45 mph. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the engine intake manifold, which failed and caused several fluids to leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
The car shut off while going down the highway at 45mph. I got out of the car, looked under the car, and water was pouring from the front of the motor. I had to have to car towed. The mechanic that looked over the car said that there were issues with the intake manifold and my gaskets.
The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission shifted from first to second gear independently and the vehicle started to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the pressure control solenoid was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
This causes hard shifting and grinding sounds. I stop the car, turn the motor off, then on and its ok again for a few more miles. A transmission shop wants $1400.00 to fix problem, but the problem is a not so smart computer that doesn't allow for a car to age.
This car will not start due to a defect of the anti-theft security built-in it. To be able to start the vehicle I have to turn on the ignition and off and wait three to four minutes to start and turns on. This problem is 90% of the time.
The cooling system was losing antifreeze rapidly, due to a defective lower intake manifold gasket,both the lower and upper intake manifold gasket had to be replaced. A costly job. As per the technician this engine always has this defective problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,848 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lumina has 198 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 30, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, electrical system. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), won't start (7%), seat belts (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.