Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
July 2009 I was driving on the interstate at around 75 MPH when the engine died and wouldn't start, pulled off the road, engine would crank but not start, after a few minutes it started and I drove home. I called a mechanic and he said it probably was the ignition control module, go to the junk yard and get one. From then through December 2012 I replaced the ignition module three times. In December 2012 I replaced both the module and the crank positioning sensor, thinking that it could be causing the module failure. Three months later the engine died again I had the module tested, it was OK, had the car towed to the dealer, they checked it for three days and said the heat from the engine had made the crank positioning sensor to separate internally and it was replaced again. …
The vehicle engine check light illuminates while driving, the vehicle is experiencing loss of coolant and the blower motor is blowing out cool air instead of heat. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem is with a crack in the intake manifold gasket. The dealer or the manufacturer was not notified at this time.
The intake manifold gasket on Chevrolet 2000 Lumina VIN# [redacted] has been replaced twice since the vehicle was purchased. First time under warranty with approximately 35,000+ miles and second time with 78,838 miles on the vehicle. This appears to be a manufacturers defect based on my experience and discussions with others. This complaint is with the manufacturer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 45 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the engine intake manifold, which failed and caused several fluids to leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 240,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer operable. The vehicle was inspected by a technician where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the head gaskets leaking water into the pistons. The head gaskets needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that oil was leaking on the exhaust manifold and a burning odor was present. The contact received notification of nhsta campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Lumina years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (66), 1997 (52), 1999 (45), 1998 (43) and 1996 (36) model years. Engine complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Lumina engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Lumina engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 15% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (65 mentions), followed by the engine (62).
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.