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1998 Chevrolet LuminaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 223 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-701 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.

57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year24% below the Lumina median · #8 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 26%Owner complaints22320 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 8, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina has problems

223 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering560
Engine and engine cooling332
Service brakes, hydraulic333
Electrical system171
Air bags155
Power train120
Visibility110
Structure100
Engine102
14 other systems595

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1998 Chevrolet Lumina recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

26%repaired · 2017 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 15V-701 · Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles · 265,197 repaired

Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-116 · Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 03V-527 · Dec 11, 2003 · 750,283 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

88kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 26 steering complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 32% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles17under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Lumina year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lumina median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Chevrolet Lumina safety ratings

1998 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREEA03019 · closed Dec 18, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-527
  3. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Lumina owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10967578 · Mar 21, 2017
DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. CONTACTED GM AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. CHARGED $100 AND TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 DUE TO VIN. REPLACED RACK AND PINION MYSELF WHICH FIXED THE ISSUE. MY CAR SHOWS THE EXACT SAME…
Complaint 10611260 · Jul 17, 2014 · 98,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10513309 · May 23, 2013 · 60,000 miles

Own a 1998 Lumina?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.