Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Lumina

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 276 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

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.

Safety 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 AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety 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. 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering2063,455 mi
Steering: rack and pinion20111,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1191,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1165,744 mi
Air bags1073,000 mi
Engine10121,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine995,600 mi
Vehicle speed control960,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling6100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system635,000 mi
Air bags: frontal5
Electrical system: ignition5
Service brakes, hydraulic535,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Unknown or other5178,000 mi
Electrical system: horn4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe449,000 mi
Exterior lighting4120,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly445,000 mi
Structure: body: door4
Suspension: front: macpherson strut4
Electrical system363,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system334,100 mi
Seats3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump390,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3129,897 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Exterior lighting: brake lights2150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump235,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2
Steering: linkages2
Structure: body2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Air bags: side/window1
Child seat: base1
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1114,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1134,030 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1114,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner135,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1134,030 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1175,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1110,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1114,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system160,900 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes1124,000 mi
Service brakes, electric198,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module198,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: column197,063 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1102,000 mi
Structure1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires1
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window196,358 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear196,358 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Wheels1170,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.