MYRModel Year Report

1998 Chevrolet Lumina

● Typical for this model
1998 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Lumina Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 435 complaints 1990 1991: 358 complaints 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1996: 245 complaints 1996 1997: 347 complaints 1998: 223 complaints 1998 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaints 2008
1998: 223 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19880
19890
1990435
1991358
1992345
1993247
1994130
1995494
1996245
1997347
1998223
1999103
200030
200121
20020
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 26%

26% of complaints: steering — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT 1/2 MILE AWAY FROM HER HOUSE, THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DECIDED TO WALK HOME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091007

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and horn.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170731

WHILE GOING 30MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT & STOPPED SUDDENLY. DRIVER IN THE LUMINA APPLIED BRAKES & HIT RIGHT SIDE OF RANGER (DOOR & BED). NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. SEAT BELT CAUSED SLIGHT TRAUMA TO HEART AREA. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981008

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG EXPLODED AND A CHEMICAL SMOKE CAME OUT FROM IT. THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980408

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

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 BEARI

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.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — 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 EQUIPP

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

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (59 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1999 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1990 ◆ 1991

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.