1999 Chevrolet Lumina: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 103 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints); the 2000 and 2001 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 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1999 chevrolet lumina ls. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shutting off while driving. *ld the consumer stated the pass-key 11 security system activated while driving causing the vehicle to lose steering and braking functions while being driven. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“I took my car for a service repair. (tune up) only to discover on the waya awkward smell and misfire. Upon arriving I was notified that the internal hood insulation broke free and crumbled in chunks on top of my fuel injector and created a heat that melted four of the fuel injector wires covers and all.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2017
“Driving at 70mph there was a there was a large increase in noise and vibration for a minute followed by a loud bang. Inspection revealed that an explosive tire failure had occurred. Several places on the sidewall were torn and the tread had bulges on it. The defective tire was replaced. 2 months later the same brand and model tire on the other side of the car started to rumble - fortunately at only 45 mph in town. Inspection revealed that there was a bulge on the tread so the tire was replaced. Since 2 primewell tires on the same axle failed within 2 months of each other, I believe this is manufacturers defect - not just a simple coincidence.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that oil was leaking on the exhaust manifold and a burning odor was present. The contact received notification of nhsta campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 08/16/16*lj updated 08/17/16 *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer operable. The vehicle was inspected by a technician where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the head gaskets leaking water into the pistons. The head gaskets needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
“Bought 99 chevy lumina used 5-6 months ago checked everything out, found nothing serious with car just minor tune up needed and new tires. Gave car to my son as a good first car, last night took him to fill up gas tank and smelled gas, looked under the car and saw a drip coming from what appears the gas tank. Parked car at home and looked under car, no leak thought maybe I spilled gas, this morning he left for school and there is a visable puddle from where he was parked. *js”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2014
“1999 chevrolet lumina. Consumer writes in regards to several mechanical problems and recall issues. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle cut off, while driving on the highway. It was determined, the ignition needed to be replaced. Also, the wiring harness in the steering column went out, the egr valve was replaced twice, the consumer had shifting problems and the heat and a/c were inoperative. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking water from the intake manifold gasket. A gas-like fume was coming from the vents and would spread throughout the vehicle cabin. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 112,000. Updated 07/08/11 *bf the lower and upper intake gaskets were replaced. Updated 09/19/11”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2011
“Tl*the contacts owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that when the vehicle began to shift from third to fourth gear the gears would stick and the vehicle would lunge into the next gear. The dealer inspected the vehicle but was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 162,000 and the current mileage was 163,700. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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 1999 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Lumina problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. 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.