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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
327,561 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Chevrolet Lumina engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Chevrolet Lumina Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 282016

Lumina

  • 185,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the remedy caused other issues with the vehicle. When the vehicle was started, smoke appeared under the hood and the contact noticed a crack in the vacuum hose. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 185,000.

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 172009

Lumina

  • 90,000 miles
My complaint is about recall # 15V701000, and also my car started leaking water into the oil so I had to park it up for a while and just been without a ride ever since any help would be appreciated.

- Otis, LA, USA

problem #8

Feb 242016

Lumina

  • 121,000 miles
Vehicle making banging noise took to shop told a burnt valve, ( it was driven in/out of shops) second shop weeks of investigating, same diagnosis. Lacked funds to repair, took home. Read about recall contacted manufacturer referred to local dealer. Dealer said parts were being ordered based on recall, but took it in earlier than contact. Service person indicated that my vehicle is not part of recall..they could diagnose and repair but cost in the thousands. I couldn't afford that or continue getting tickets (not able to move it because battery needed a full charge. I am a woman know little about cars, did not want to get stuck if it defaulted. Second repair shop advised me that I could drive it until it just stopped, the dealer said it was definitely not in recall so I donated to kars for kids. On 3/8/16 got a call from same lot telling me my recall parts had come in. Puzzled & alarmed told caller about their service dept. She seemed a puzzled so I explained what happened. She checked &told me that there was no record of my appointment & service person had no knowledge of me. Puzzled as to what is going on" paid aaa $60 for tow paid $35 for used tire. Tow guy said I could drive car dealer and save tow fee but I'm not comfortable driving broke car so I had him tow.my question is how does a consumer know if their specific car falls under a recall" the car was my landlord's dying gift to me. I drove him and his wife to church, to the bank, to the doctor, for oil changes, etc. I never recalled taking it for a recall and my landlord was in his 90's I didn't know if he had overlooked recall so my motivation to check. Talked to mgr. Of dealersh 3/8/16 he said he would investigate, service person was experienced and he was sorry about my vehicle. Now I, a senior citizen have no means of transportation.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 012015

Lumina

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer scheduled an appointment and later indicated that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified, but could not provide a date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 012015

Lumina

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag was protruding as if it were going to explode. In addition, the contact mentioned that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 022015

Lumina

  • 245,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle started to smoke excessively. The contact heard a loud noise then there was fire coming from the front under the hood of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the valve cover gasket failed and the upper manifold was crack. The vehicle was destroyed due to the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the fire occured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 245,000.

- Saint Louse, MO, USA

problem #4

Dec 112015

Lumina

  • 2,136,813 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine compartment caught fire.while I was driving.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 302014

Lumina

  • 229,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving 35 mph, an unusual sound emitted from the front passenger side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine cradle was loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 229,000.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #2

Apr 272013

Lumina 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the engine rattled and made a lot of noise until it warmed up. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage and current mileages were 112,000.

- Harrodsburg, KY, USA

problem #1

Dec 072012

Lumina 6-cyl

  • 76,800 miles
My report: Original diagnostic code was 3rd cylinder spark plug. Symptoms were consistent with this. Car drove fine that evening until the engine had trouble, sputtered and shut off. Mechanic looked at it and determined there was no coolant and came to the conclusion that the engine failed because this model and year is known for coolant leak internally by intake manifold gasket. There were no signs of coolant leak externally prior to this, didn't blow white smoke out the back, the low coolant light didn't go on, the oil was full, no milky stuff in radiator either, the car drove like new, and the car only had 76,000 miles on it. The car had one previous owner and was well-maintained by that owner and myself. I bought it 2 years ago with only 38,000 miles on it. I looked into why the intake manifold gasket would leak and found 2 reports. Because this was a defect, I should be compensated with and engine or money for the engine from Chevy: Problem reports: Chevrolet Lumina report: Intake manifold gaskets may leak coolant or engine oil model years affected: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 engines affected: 3.1L V6, 3.4L V6, 3.8L V6 the intake manifold gasket may develop and external engine oil or coolant leak. In some cases, an internal coolant leak may occur causing coolant to mix with the engine oil. Our technicians tell us that operating the engine with a coolant/oil mix can result in internal engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket should correct these leaks. Unfortunately the 3.1 litre engine has a manufacture flaw. The gasket is plastic and rubber. Over time the plastic cracks due the heat and the rubber seal fails. Felpro has redesigned that gasket. Instead of being plastic and rubber it is steel and rubber.

- Liberty Lake, WA, USA

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