1996 Chevrolet Lumina: engine overheating

7 of the 244 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

1999
8
1998
3
1997
3
1996
7
1995
8
1994
1
1993
1
1992
3
1991
3
1990
3

What owners say

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Engine · ME

My daughter brought a used 1996 lumina.she drove it about a month before it started acting up. She lost heat and car would go to overheat and stall. When she got it checked she was told that the intake gasget was shot. This allowed the antifreeze go into the engine. As a result the seller won't do anything about it. She would have to pay more than she paid for it to repair it. So we are very dissapointed with the car. I would never buy one again as I found this is a very common think in luminas for several years running.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Engine · MD

Car seemed to be overheating and running out of antifreeze much too often. Took it into a mechanic who told me my antifreeze was leaking into my oil, and that my head gaskets were cracked and leaking. Was told I would need a new engine, or the problem would just keep occurring.

Filed Sep 17, 2003 · Engine · DC

While driving the plastic intake manifold failed which caused coolant to leak inside the engine and resulted in the vehicle overheating. The dealer was notified. Please provide further information.

Filed Nov 24, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

Vehicle was serviced about 2 yrs ago because it started losing power and was running rough. The power window on driver side stopped functioning. Brakes grind when wet even though they have been replaced. Noticed around this time that the car temperature gauge sometimes creeped up above normal. It seemed to be losing anti-freeze. The heater stopped working. I refilled the anti-freeze. It seemed to take care of the problem but it slowly returned. Vehicle was also very slowly losing oil. Last month (10/02) I started home from work. The car suddenly overheated. Strong fumes came into through the vents, burning my eyes. I had to stop repeatedly to let the car cool so that I could get home. I work only 3 miles from home. When I got home, the oil stick contained oil halfway up the stick. Started over flowing from the oil cap when I restarted. Smoke was heavy from the back. Had someone check the car. The car is not functionable. Will not turn over. Replaced the starter but didn't help. There is oil in the radiator, water in the oil. Seems to be fuel in the anti-freeze. Appears to be a blown head gasket or more. Have found out that this make and model year was recalled for motor problems previously paralleling these same problems. Dt

Filed May 22, 2001 · Engine · NJ

Consumer noticed a smell coming from underneath the hood. When lifted hood noticed that the antifreeze went into crankcase or engine block. Mixed with oil, and it smelled like vehicle was overheated. Dealership stated that head gasket blewout.

Filed Jun 25, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Original battery failed 8/29/97, replaced under warranty. On 5/10/00 replacement leaked acid on cable, starter and engine. Florida dealer charged $410.12 to replace battery, cable and clean starter. Suspected cause, overheating. Battery is mounted over left front wheel well with cover allowing little if any cooling.

Filed Dec 4, 1996 · Lights, Visibility · SC

Overheating of the headlight switch and radio dials.