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 directional switch (4 way). I have been advised on 3 occassions, twice by sheriff's deputies that my brake lights are not working. But they do work except when the directionals are on. After some research we have discovered that replacing the 4 way switch will resolve the problem. May I note that I have never had this device fail in any of my vehicles ever. That regardless of the ges and makes of my vehiclces the manufacturers have had the good sense to make certain the 4 way switch was reliable. Might I add linking braking with the switch might be consider irresponsible of the engineers. Has the 1998 chevy lumina 4way switch been recalled!?
The worst 1998 Chevrolet Lumina problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering56
- Engine43
- Brakes35
- Electrical17
- Airbags15
- Transmission12
- Fuel system11
- Visibility11
- Body10
- Lights10
- Seat belts10
- Acceleration9
- Suspension8
- Seats3
- Wheels2
- Locks1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
Stalling 10Brake failure 8Steering lock-up 8Loss of power 6Steering noise 6Knocking 5
Recalls 3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 engines 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.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
Defect investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm's letter to the federal safety agency dated december 11, 2003, expands its original recall (the federal safety agency 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 bearing and the level of the pinion bearing pre-load spring force.gm states, higher rack pre-load spring force (133 lb.) is the design characteristic most closely associated with higher bearing damage rates in most of the vehicle applications that used the general bearing company (gbc) bearing.all of the vehicles covered in the expanded recall have the 133 lb spring force.the 96 lumina/monte carlo and 97-98 century w-body vehicles included in this investigation utilize a lower spring force and are not included in the recall.
EA03019
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 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 cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
RQ03001
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina 57
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1998 Chevrolet Lumina fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 27 | 21 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 25-27 | 19-21 |
What 1998 Chevrolet Lumina owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 regular week of work. It was the first time using the heater in this vehicle and I was working long hours with the heater on because the weather had changed. On 11/11/2018 at about 0600, I started having a headache and my throat was irritated but I went home at 0800 and came back to work overtime plus my regular shift on the same day at 2000. My headache had intensified and I took aleve for it and drank milk for my irritated throat and wen home at the end of my shift at 0800 on 11/13/2018. I worked the rest of the week but my headaches continued and on 11/19/2018, I asked the mechanic to smell the cabin of my vehicle and after smelling it, he told me to park it and report it to my manager because it had an exhaust leak. On 11/26/2018, I went to the hospital and the doctor placed me on modified duty unless I was not provided a different vehicle to drive and then I would considered temporarily fully disabled until 12/14/2018. On 11/28/2018, my manager told me I was going to be driving the dirty vehicle after I had asked for another vehicle. I had my supervisor smell the cabin and he gave me his truck to drive and I drove it for 2 days. On 11/30/2018, my supervisor told me that our manager had cleared the dirty vehicle and I had to go back to driving it but I went home fully disabled instead. On 12/4/2018, I was forced back into work and I drove my managers truck. On 12/5/2018, I drove the dirty vehicle to the fire station and it tested positive for an exhaust leak with carbon monoxide in the cabin. I had my 2 days off and on 11/8 and 11/9/2018, I have been staying at the office because they're forcing me to drive the dirty vehicle again and I can't go out to work.
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 into the front driver's side of the other vehicle. The air bag indicator illuminated, but the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was inoperable. The contact was waiting for his insurance company to determine if the vehicle was totaled. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the back, stomach, and neck. Medical assistance was needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
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, replaced bulbs, checked for shorts. In our research we found that this is in fact a common problem among gm sedans and is caused by failure of the multifunction switch in the steering column. The switch contacts commonly fail when the switch begins to loosen/disintigrate. This causes a variety of issues among the systems that pass through that switch. Brake light failure is one such issue, and obviously a safety issues. Yes, I know it's an old car and yes I expect to have to make repairs to it, but I do not expect our student driver to suddenly be without brake lights because of the faulty manufacture of this component. A small amount of research makes it apparent that this is a very common, very widespread problem. It's expensive to fix and beyond most people's diy abilities, besides which I would not be comfortable working with anything that affects the airbag system. There is absolutely no way gm hasn't been aware of this issue. I can't understand why there's no recall for this issue.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Takita recall airbag may be the cause of passenger side dash expanding outwards. Unsure of cause. Expansion is slowing coming out of sem. Have noticed approximately two years ongoing.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the remedy caused other issues with the vehicle. When the vehicle was started, smoke appeared under the hood and the contact noticed a crack in the vacuum hose. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Dash airbag is protruding out. Vechile stationary. See photos.
My complaint is about recall # 15v701000, and also my car started leaking water into the oil so I had to park it up for a while and just been without a ride ever since any help would be appreciated.
1998 chevrolet lumina. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair recall notice 15757. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle has an oil leak, and she was advised not to park in a garage.
Compare the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
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Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?
Owners have filed 223 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 10.6 times a typical Lumina model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina?
Steering, with 56 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is engine (43).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina have?
3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and steering.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Lumina have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Lumina model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (88 complaints), 1998 (56 complaints) and 1990 (39 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 27 highway.
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