On a road test for a customer I lost the brakes, as it developed a hard pedal without power assist. The condition was intermittent. Upon investigation I discovered the vacuum hose from the back of the intake to the power booster was softened with oil contamination and had begun to collapse cutting off vac to the booster. I installed a new hose assembly but this came out of nowhere and could cause problems for any driver at any time. The vehicle was a 1995 chevy lumina 3.4 v6. Clearance is very tight where the hose runs. I think gm should go to a hard hose instead of a performed rubber hose. The engine was not leaking oil. This failure was heat an normal wear. Being these cars are 10 years old they are starting to fail. I suspect every vehicle with the 3.4 l engine will have this same problem not just the lumina.
Chevrolet Lumina spongy pedal problems
11 of the 2,945 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Lumina describe soft or spongy brake pedal, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 1991
By model year
- 19961
- 19951
- 19931
- 19923
- 19914
- 19901
Often reported together
What owners say
While driving about 65 MPH on the highway in inclement weather driver applied brakes, the brake pedal was hard, and the ABS light appeared on the dashboard. Driver was able to control vehicle, and pulled over to the shoulders of the highway. The vehicle was towed. There was no accident.
Have a knocking or clicking on both rear tires while driving at slow speeds, lees than 10mph the noise happens in forward or reverse. Another problem is the brake pedal feels very spongy while braking, however the car has been stopping when needed to. It just seems odd to have to push the pedal so far down toward the floor, and still fell mushy.
Coming off interstate upgrade ramp, put brakes on to stop, noticed they were spongy, but was able to stop. Saw smoke and could smell the brake lining burning, put gear shift in low and began to brake again, and had no brakes at all.
Brake pedal spongy.
Hydraulic braking problems.tt rear brake pads wear premature and calipers stick causing braking load on front brakes, vehicle difficult to stop, can not lock up wheels no matter how hard pedal is pressed, rear pads were worn out.
Brakes spongy, will not stop vehicle in emergency situations.
Brake pedal hard in the morning, also experiencing long stopping distance, replace front pads and turn front rotors. Tt
Caliper sliders failed, not returning fast enough, causing drag against pads. (3) sets of brakes replaced w/soft brake pedal failure 3/29/95. Tt
Vehicle ABS braking system has complete failure with soft pedal.has occured 4 times.(pe94-063). Tt
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The bolt head(s) on the rear spindle rod can separate.
- Risk
- The rear wheel can shift, causing rear steering of the vehicle. The driver could lose control and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear spindle bolts.
Recall number 00V143000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right front brake hose is incorrectly routed behind the brake pipe bracket restricting brake hose movement that could cause the hose to either be cut by the bracket or separated at the caliper.
- Risk
- If the hose becomes disconnected or damaged, there can be a loss of pressure in one half of the brake system. The brake warning lamp may be on, the pedal will be lower than normal, and stopping distances will be longer, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace and correctly route the right front brake hose assembly.
Recall number 99V357000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- These vehicles were assembled with one of the four brake booster tabs not properly located in the front of dash reinforcement assembly.
- Risk
- If this condition were present in a situation where stopping distances were small, a vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper booster installation. Boosters found to be improperly located will be removed and reinstalled properly.
Recall number 96V122000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The left front brake line can contact the transaxle mounting bracket or attachment bolt.
- Risk
- This condition can cause the brake line to wear through, resulting in loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of one-half of the vehicle's brake system, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper brake line clearance and reposition those brake lines found to have less than minimal clearance. Additionally, those brake lines found to have an indentation caused by the contact will be replaced and properly routed.
Recall number 96V069000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Lumina spongy pedal
Which Chevrolet Lumina years have soft or spongy brake pedal problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (4 complaints), 1992 (3 complaints) and 1990 (1 complaints).
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