NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina.
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BWHEN THE VEHICLE IS SATIONARY AND IN TRANSIT. IT APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTEN AS WELL. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN I AM BRAKING, BUT THEY SEEM TO INTERMITTENLY BE FAILING WHEN I USE MY DIRECTIONAL SWITCH (4 WAY). I HAVE BEEN ADVISED ON 3 OCCASSIONS, TWICE BY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. BUT THEY DO WORK EXCEPT WHEN THE DIRECTIONALS ARE ON. AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT REPLACING THE 4 WAY SWITCH WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MAY I NOTE THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS DEVICE FAIL IN ANY OF MY VEHICLES EVER. THAT REGARDLESS OF THE GES AND MAKES OF MY VEHICLCES THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO MAKE CERTAIN THE 4 WAY SWITCH WAS RELIABLE. MIGHT I ADD LINKING BRAKING WITH THE SWITCH MIGHT BE CONSIDER IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE ENGINEERS. HAS THE 1998 CHEVY LUMINA 4WAY SWITCH BEEN RECALLED!?
I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THIS COMPANY VEHICLE BY NEW TRANSPORTATION MANAGER, EVEN THOUGH I HAD ANOTHER COMPANY VEHICLE ASSIGNED TO ME TO DRIVE. FROM 11/9/2018 TO 11/13/2018 I WORKED OVERTIME PLUS MY REGULAR WEEK OF WORK. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME USING THE HEATER IN THIS VEHICLE AND I WAS WORKING LONG HOURS WITH THE HEATER ON BECAUSE THE WEATHER HAD CHANGED. ON 11/11/2018 AT ABOUT 0600, I STARTED HAVING A HEADACHE AND MY THROAT WAS IRRITATED BUT I WENT HOME AT 0800 AND CAME BACK TO WORK OVERTIME PLUS MY REGULAR SHIFT ON THE SAME DAY AT 2000. MY HEADACHE HAD INTENSIFIED AND I TOOK ALEVE FOR IT AND DRANK MILK FOR MY IRRITATED THROAT AND WEN HOME AT THE END OF MY SHIFT AT 0800 ON 11/13/2018. I WORKED THE REST OF THE WEEK BUT MY HEADACHES CONTINUED AND ON 11/19/2018, I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO SMELL THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE AND AFTER SMELLING IT, HE TOLD ME TO PARK IT AND REPORT IT TO MY MANAGER BECAUSE IT HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. ON 11/26/2018, I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE DOCTOR PLACED ME ON MODIFIED DUTY UNLESS I WAS NOT PROVIDED A DIFFERENT VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND THEN I WOULD CONSIDERED TEMPORARILY FULLY DISABLED UNTIL 12/14/2018. ON 11/28/2018, MY MANAGER TOLD ME I WAS GOING TO BE DRIVING THE DIRTY VEHICLE AFTER I HAD ASKED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD MY SUPERVISOR SMELL THE CABIN AND HE GAVE ME HIS TRUCK TO DRIVE AND I DROVE IT FOR 2 DAYS. ON 11/30/2018, MY SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THAT OUR MANAGER HAD CLEARED THE DIRTY VEHICLE AND I HAD TO GO BACK TO DRIVING IT BUT I WENT HOME FULLY DISABLED INSTEAD. ON 12/4/2018, I WAS FORCED BACK INTO WORK AND I DROVE MY MANAGERS TRUCK. ON 12/5/2018, I DROVE THE DIRTY VEHICLE TO THE FIRE STATION AND IT TESTED POSITIVE FOR AN EXHAUST LEAK WITH CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE CABIN. I HAD MY 2 DAYS OFF AND ON 11/8 AND 11/9/2018, I HAVE BEEN STAYING AT THE OFFICE BECAUSE THEY'RE FORCING ME TO DRIVE THE DIRTY VEHICLE AGAIN AND I CAN'T GO OUT TO WORK.
The 1998 Chevrolet Lumina has 4 NHTSA recalls and 251 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
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.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: 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 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28-30 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST MADE AN OUT OF TURN LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR HIS INSURANCE COMPANY TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE BACK, STOMACH, AND NECK. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED. AT TIME OF PURCHASE BRAKE LIGHTS APPEARED TO WORK. SAME EVENING, THE TWO REAR/SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK (THE THIRD/MIDDLE LIGHT WORKS). WE DID SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING, REPLACED BULBS, CHECKED FOR SHORTS. IN OUR RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THIS IS IN FACT A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG GM SEDANS AND IS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWITCH CONTACTS COMMONLY FAIL WHEN THE SWITCH BEGINS TO LOOSEN/DISINTIGRATE. THIS CAUSES A VARIETY OF ISSUES AMONG THE SYSTEMS THAT PASS THROUGH THAT SWITCH. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE IS ONE SUCH ISSUE, AND OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUES. YES, I KNOW IT'S AN OLD CAR AND YES I EXPECT TO HAVE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO IT, BUT I DO NOT EXPECT OUR STUDENT DRIVER TO SUDDENLY BE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY MANUFACTURE OF THIS COMPONENT. A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH MAKES IT APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. IT'S EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND BEYOND MOST PEOPLE'S DIY ABILITIES, BESIDES WHICH I WOULD NOT BE COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH ANYTHING THAT AFFECTS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY GM HASN'T BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RANDOM POWER STEERING LEAK. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE FLUID CONSTANTLY. WHEN A MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT THE STEERING RACK MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKITA RECALL AIRBAG MAY BE THE CAUSE OF PASSENGER SIDE DASH EXPANDING OUTWARDS. UNSURE OF CAUSE. EXPANSION IS SLOWING COMING OUT OF SEM. HAVE NOTICED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS ONGOING.
TL* 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.
DASH AIRBAG IS PROTRUDING OUT. VECHILE STATIONARY. SEE PHOTOS.
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.
1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 15757. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK, AND SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO PARK IN A GARAGE. *JB
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 $60.00 FOR TOW PAID $35.00 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.
TL* 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.
TL* 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.
TL* 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.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE.WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
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