Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Lumina owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to smoke excessively. The contact heard a loud noise then there was fire coming from the front under the hood of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the valve cover gasket failed and the upper manifold was crack. The vehicle was destroyed due to the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the fire occured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 245,000.
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. When she returned with her husband the fire department was putting out a fire from her vehicle. The consumer notified the manufacturer in reference to recall # 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling); however, a representative concluded that the statue of limitations in south carolina does not require the manufacturer to assume responsibility after 7 months. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 11/04/09 updated 11/06/09.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the remedy caused other issues with the vehicle. When the vehicle was started, smoke appeared under the hood and the contact noticed a crack in the vacuum hose. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag was protruding as if it were going to explode. In addition, the contact mentioned that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Vehicle making banging noise took to shop told a burnt valve, ( it was driven in/out of shops) second shop weeks of investigating, same diagnosis. Lacked funds to repair, took home. Read about recall contacted manufacturer referred to local dealer. Dealer said parts were being ordered based on recall, but took it in earlier than contact. Service person indicated that my vehicle is not part of recall..they could diagnose and repair but cost in the thousands. I couldn't afford that or continue getting tickets (not able to move it because battery needed a full charge. I am a woman know little about cars, did not want to get stuck if it defaulted. Second repair shop advised me that I could drive it until it just stopped, the dealer said it was definitely not in recall so I donated to kars for kids. On 3/8/16 got a call from same lot telling me my recall parts had come in. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. In March of 2008, the vehicle was purchased with a cracked windshield. The dealer repaired the windshield. The following day, while driving 20 MPH, the brakes failed and nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they kept it for three days. A few days later, the vehicle shut off completely. The vehicle was repaired once more, but it shut off again. The dealer refused to make any more repairs. The current mileage is 140,000 and failure mileage was 129,897. Updated 7/3/08 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled at least 10 times. The consumer was informed the engine was bad. Updated 07/03/08
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) and immediately called the dealer. She was informed that the parts for the repair would be unavailable for another week. As a consequence, if the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it May ignite into a small flame and spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, thus increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure and current mileages were 86,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving between 30-35 MPH, the vehicle stalls and the speedometer displays inaccurate readings. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle kicks and begins losing speed. The vehicle is either losing or not getting enough fuel. The vehicle had to be towed on more than one occasion. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The contact believes that the cause of the failure was the catalytic converter. NHTSA campaign id number 073021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices). The failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle stalled for approximately 2-3 minutes before restarting. Immediately after the vehicle started, the intake manifold exploded.. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they confirmed the failure. The contact would like his VIN to be included in NHTSA campaign id number 07e021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices). The current and failure mileages were 49,000. Updated 04/04/08. Upadated 04/02/08
While driving, the car suddenly stalled. It would not restart. I had it towed to the dealer who checked it to find that the engine had died due to a failed cam. This car only has approx 58000 miles on it and it in show room condition. I take extra care to make sure that all maintenance requirements are met. There is no way that this engine should have failed. My extended warrenty expired in May and now the dealer wants me to pay for a new engine. An engine that costs as much as the blue book value of the car in excellent condition.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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.
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 equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
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.
Engine complaints in other Lumina years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 19% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Lumina engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Lumina engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.