1998 Chevrolet Lumina: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 223 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (25% of complaints); the 1999 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2015
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that when the vehicle gear shifter was changed, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly in that direction. The failure occurred twelve times. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 229,400.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, she noticed a grinding and banging sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 03v527000 (steering) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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 engine's 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE'S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE'S 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lumina by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
NHTSA has 223 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The most complained-about area is steering (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Lumina problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,532 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.