The engine started knocking around 100K miles and getting worse ever since. The piston pin is going bad. I found out that GM knows about this problem by a certified GM technician. He told me that all 3.1L engines have this problem and GM wont fix it. I feel shafted and will never by a GM product again.

- Baraboo, WI, USA

My daughter brought a used 1996 Lumina.she drove it about a month before it started acting up. She lost heat and car would go to overheat and stall. When she got it checked she was told that the intake gasget was shot. This allowed the antifreeze go into the engine. As a result the seller won't do anything about it. She would have to pay more than she paid for it to repair it. So we are very dissapointed with the car. I would never buy one again as I found this is a very common think in Luminas for several years running.

- Waterville, ME, USA

Car seemed to be overheating and running out of antifreeze much too often. Took it into a mechanic who told me my antifreeze was leaking into my oil, and that my head gaskets were cracked and leaking. Was told I would need a new engine, or the problem would just keep occurring.

- Andrews Afb, MD, USA

While driving, the engine will cut out, then run smooth again, causing the car to jerk. Several times the engine would die. The car would start back up, when you put into gear and push the gas, the engine would cut out, the car would jerk as the engine cut out and then reengage, but eventually the engine would die. We sent to our local repair shop, he replaced the spark plugs, minor tune, replace air filter, check fuel pump - ok, and replace fuel filter. Car ran fine for three days and then repeated the same problem. Took back into shop, replaced ignition switch and coils. Engine runs ok, but when engaging into gear engine did not have the same response as before, it felt like it was running at half speed. Car is now slow to gain speed. Top speed is 65 miles per hour. Now 'service engine soon' light is on, sometimes flashing.

- West Valley City, UT, USA

Head gasket failure on Chevrolet Lumina @ 80,000 engine miles. Dealer, del Chevrolet fixted problem @ my cost of $1,612.46 dollars. Vehicle has been maintained and regular serviced @ Chevrolet dealers on this car, I have there receipts. Problem occurred, heated-up, when traveling to GM dealers on 7/14/01. Should this problem have happened on a 80,000 mile engine?

- Thornton, PA, USA

Consumer noticed a smell coming from underneath the hood. When lifted hood noticed that the antifreeze went into crankcase or engine block. Mixed with oil, and it smelled like vehicle was overheated. Dealership stated that head gasket blewout.

- Franklin, NJ, USA

Engine exhaust gasket has leaked since new causing ticking sound; oil seal defective causing oil leak

- Deltona, FL, USA

Blown engine head gasket, antifreeze contamination. Could be due to head bolts that were not sealed at the factory

- Derby, CT, USA

Registered by mike kearney. Consumer has ongoing problems with the engine cutting off intermittently when car is running, sometimes when air conditioner and heater are on. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.

- Curlew, WA, USA

Consumer was driving down the highway at 40mph and noticed fire coming out from under the front side driving wheel. When consumer pulled to the side she noticed the engine was on fire. Dealer has been contacted.

- Lubbock, TX, USA