Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I own a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, which I purchased new in 1998. I had noticed a sporadic steering wheel kick-back at low speeds when turning left in this vehicle. I told a friend about my situation (he too owns same year,make,model) and he explained he received a recall letter from Chevrolet and had this problem corrected on his vehicle. I called my local chevolet dealer and the service advised scheduled me an appointment to repair, but then called me back and cancelled appointment and explained to me that my VIN number was not included in the recall. I called Chevrolet assistance and they advised me to pay for repairs out of my pocket because my car was out of warranty. I feel this is unacceptable and discriminatory. Obviously Chevrolet is trying to reduce their costs by denying my claim for this campaign. I have seen quite a few other Chevrolet owners with the same complaint. …
I purchased my vehicle used and it still had 1000 mile warranty from the dealer. When I got the car there was a problem with the fuel pump so they replaced it. Before I even got out of the parking lot the (vibration shudder hose) went bad. Or at least that is what the guy at the service area told me the name was. They have replaced that. And for almost two years now I have been fighting with them that the power steering has been whining. Also the brakes do not stop to well in the rain. I travel a lot and we go through brakes like water. We also had the ac compressor go out last year during the summer. The car was only 4 years old. We keep our car up very well. I do not understand all these problems. I know this May not seem like big problems but when I keep my car up and have been fighting with the dealer due to whining this is frustrating.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that there was a random power steering leak. The previous owner had to replace the fluid constantly. When a mechanic replaced the steering pump, the failure continued. The mechanic informed the previous owner that the steering rack May need to be replaced. The contact had also taken the vehicle to a mechanic who stated that the vehicle was included in a manufacturer recall for NHTSA campaign number: 03V527000 (steering); however, the recall was closed. The contact was to check with the manufacturer to determine a repair solution for the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available.
Vehicle would not turn using the key, took our vehicle to the dealership.. Had a new key made.. The key was not the issue..had a new ignition installed through dealership, the vehicle worked for a short time but starting showing the same problems. Hundreds of $$ later, the car is parked now we don't want to put any more money into it, but can't sell it unless it's fixed. This is some sort of steering/ignition problem. This car has also been known to stall while driving it. We have installed a new starter, a new alternator, battery we also had all the electrical wiring re-done.. We don't know why it stalls.
Temporary loss of steering. On 4 occasions within the past 2 weeks I had recently left my residence and was making either a left or right turn. At the start of the turn I could not steer the car. It was as if something was broken, I did hear a squeal. I was able to return home (about 2 blocks) and again checked the power steering fluid and the serpentine belt. The fluid was correct and the belt is about 8 months old. For the recall #03V527000 in 2003 I did go to the Chevrolet dealer in ft. Myers and they checked the vehicle and told me that the car was OK.
Problems with steering on 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The vehicle steering became difficult at low speeds, particularly on left turns such as entering a parking space or parallel parking. The consumer researched the NHTSA website and found a recall 03V527000 that seemed to describe the problem the vehicle was experienced. The consumer contacted the dealer and informed him of the recall. When the realer checked the recall he told the consumer that the vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated the vehicle would not steer to the left because the rack and pinion failed. The dealer was contact who advised that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 03V527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving at any speed, the contact experiences difficulty turning the steering wheel to the right. The garage stated that the steering rack and pinion was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 125,382. Updated 05/06/08. The manufacture informed the consumer his vehicle did not meet the requirements for the recall .updated 05/08/08.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to turn, similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 03V527000 ( steering:rack and pinion). The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact did not inform the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 104,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. While making a left turn at any speed, the power steering becomes difficult to maneuver. The contact is an asc certified mechanic and stated that the failure was with the rack and pinion. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The current mileage was 78,045 and failure mileage was 76,800.
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM's letter to NHTSA dated December 11, 2003, expands its original recall (NHTSA 02V286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 Chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 Pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 Buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.GM determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion…
Steering complaints in other Lumina years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 25% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Lumina steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Lumina steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.