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.
1996 Chevrolet Lumina engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 36 of 36, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
At low speed the steering locks. If feels as if the vehicle has shut off.
Water leaked into the crank case because the intake manifold was defective. Engine had to be replaced. After searching the internet similar complaints were found.
I just paid over $700 to have a mechanic replace the intake gasket on my 1996 chevrolet lumina. I have heard that this is a common problem on my car and engine type. That would lead me to believe this is a design flaw. I would like to know if there is a possible recall for this, or what action I should take to be compensated.
On 7/20/03 the battery was getting weak so I bought a new battery compatible with the car. On the first start with the new battery the car behaved normally. However, when I started it the second time and was backing up a slight slope of a driveway, the car died. I put the car back in park and restarted the car. Without touching the gas pedal with my foot, the gas pedal dropped to the floorboard and the car raced forward with the gear shift still in park. The brakes would not work. I steered the car trying to locate the emergency brakes but they were too far away for me to reach and still maintain the racing car. I thought turning off the engine would stop the car since the brakes has failed but even turning off the engine, it raced even faster and the next thing I knew I had crashed into a tree totalling out the car. I cracked my head into the windshield breaking my nose. Luckily, the visor was down and protected my face. I also sustained bruising and back injuries along with the concussion. Also, the air bag did not activate. Thankfully, as I am short and if it had, then I would have been decapitated or killed from it. My insurance only gave blue book value to the car as it was unrepairable and had to be totalled. I am wanting to seek legal action against the manufacturer. Is there any class action lawsuits regarding this problem on the lumina's? I feel it was computer problem that shut down the car made it behave like it was possess. No lights came on inside the car to indicate there was a computer problem or any other problem. There is only one way to put in a battery so it could not have been the battery. Debra k. Oliver
Independent shop replaced the intake manifold at owner expense of $750.dollars. Dealer notified. Please provide further information.
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.
Lower intake manifold leaking dexcool on my chevy lumina 1996 3.1 and while I was in the midas shop checking my car a girl have monti carlo 97 has the same problem my mechenic telling my he gets alot og these problems with chevy 3.1 3.4
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
Coolant is leaking unto engine, causing vehicle to run hot/rough/ vibrate and tick. Consumer found a technical service bulletin ( tsb ) on problem, and dealer found no problem. An independent mechanic confirmed that coolant was leaking into engine and it was being ruined.
Head gasket failure on chevrolet lumina @ 80,000 engine miles. Dealer, del chevrolet fixted problem @ my cost of 1,612.46 dollars. Vehicle has been maintained and regular serviced @ chevrolet dealers on this car, I have there receipts. Problem occurred, heated-up, when traveling to gm dealers on 7/14/01. Should this problem have happened on a 80,000 mile engine?
Driver's side rear window went down would not go back up-no problem with this window before-driver's side front window-sluggish,often loses power......driver's side window knob pushed in cannot retrieve it.....engine began over heating in nov...antifreeze put in...antifreeze mixed in with engine oil..engine froze up-had to be replaced.........antifreeze part just shatterted as car coming out of parking space--fluids lost-engine lost power---mechanic reports new transmission needed estimates $2,500---mechanic reports that this or similar failures of transmisssion common on this vechicle and that transmission experts are aware of this and have frequent complaints.....all these events occurred in last 6 months in addition to the need of brake hub bearing on left rear wheel..total estimated cost $5,000
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.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Recall for defect in spark plug wire did not apply to 3.1 liter engine although same problem as 3.4 liter engine per michael mays, general motors customer relations manager. The vehicle needs additional servicing as a result of this defect.
Engine exhaust gasket has leaked since new causing ticking sound; oil seal defective causing oil leak
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.
At 70, 000 miles engine was replaced. Consumer has contacted manuacturer concerning file number 9905857296. Manufacturer has yet to provide any assistance.. Please provide any further details.
Blown engine head gasket, antifreeze contamination. Could be due to head bolts that were not sealed at the factory
Registered by mike kearney. Consumer has ongoing problems with the engine cutting off intermittently when car is running, sometimes when air conditioner and heater are on. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
There is a bad smell in the vehicle and, consumer thinks that it is a health hazard. Contacted dealer, and took the vehicle in for service. They can't find the problem.
Transmission slippage in the passing gear mode/engine makes ticking sound.
Driving at approximately 35-40 MPH ,going up or down hill vehicle will begin to hesitate, eventually causing the vehicle to stall. Dealer cannot duplicate problem, but has replaced fuel filter and vehicle speed sensor. Defect is still occurring.
Engine failed.
Engine noise.
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