MYRModel Year Report

1998 Chevrolet Lumina

● Typical for this model
1998 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-08-02

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: 427 complaints 1990 1991: 352 complaints 1992: 342 complaints 1993: 243 complaints 1993 1994: 126 complaints 1995: 492 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
1990427
1991352
1992342
1993243
1994126
1995492
1996245
1997347
1998223
1999103
200030
200121
20020
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

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 (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (13 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:rack and pinion, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.