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1998 Chevrolet Lumina Base

The 1998 Chevrolet Lumina Base is a 160-hp 3.1-liter V6 with a 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic w/od and front-wheel drive.

It makes 160 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

The Lumina measures 200.9 inches long on a 107.5-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,330 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type3.1L L82 OHV V6
Displacement3.1 L
Horsepower160 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Torque185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed electronically-controlled automatic w/OD
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity16.6 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length200.9 in
Width72.5 in
Height55.2 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb Weight3,330 lbs

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1998 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet LUMINA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 26, 2015 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

NHTSA campaign 15V701000

Apr 8, 2009 · 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. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

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. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

NHTSA campaign 09V116000

Mar 12, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

NHTSA campaign 07E021000

Dec 11, 2003 · 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.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

NHTSA campaign 03V527000

241 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet LUMINA

Owner Complaints

241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet LUMINA (11 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering60
Service Brakes35
Engine And Engine Cooling34
Hydraulic33
Air Bags16
Electrical System16
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 8, 2020 · Exterior Lighting, Unknown Or Other
“THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BWHEN THE VEHICLE IS SATIONARY AND IN TRANSIT. IT APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTEN AS WELL. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN I AM BRAKING, BUT THEY SEEM TO INTERMITTENLY BE FAILING WHEN I USE MY…”
Dec 9, 2018 · Unknown Or Other
“I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THIS COMPANY VEHICLE BY NEW TRANSPORTATION MANAGER, EVEN THOUGH I HAD ANOTHER COMPANY VEHICLE ASSIGNED TO ME TO DRIVE. FROM 11/9/2018 TO 11/13/2018 I WORKED OVERTIME PLUS MY…”
Jul 31, 2017 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“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. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED…”
Apr 7, 2017 · Exterior Lighting
“WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED. AT TIME OF PURCHASE BRAKE LIGHTS APPEARED TO WORK. SAME EVENING, THE TWO REAR/SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK (THE THIRD/MIDDLE LIGHT WORKS). WE DID SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING…”
Mar 21, 2017 · Steering
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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