MYRModel Year Report

1998 Chevrolet Lumina

● Typical for this model
1998 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
223
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 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 223 1999: 103 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaint
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1998 223 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1990 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1992 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1994 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1996 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1998 223 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaint 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% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

Service brakes

17% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
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, 2009-10-07

Electrical system

8% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and horn.

FIRE

Air bags

7% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2017-07-31

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-08

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-04-08

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  2. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  3. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  4. R
    2004-02-05Steering03V527000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-04-09Engine and engine cooling09V116000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 59 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V527000 · Steering
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09V116000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.