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1999 Chevrolet Lumina problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina is engine and cooling, typically around 70,000 miles. It has 4.9 times the complaints of a typical Lumina model year.

Typical year4.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
103
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
68
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 1999 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.

  • Engine
    45
  • Brakes
    19
  • Electrical
    8
  • Airbags
    7
  • Steering
    7
  • Transmission
    7
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Visibility
    5
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Lights
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Locks
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina

Overheating 8Stalling 5

Recalls 2

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
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 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.

Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
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 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.

Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina

Defect investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

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 1999 Chevrolet Lumina 68

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 68 bulletins for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina

1999 Chevrolet Lumina fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.1L 6‑cylFWD172621
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1725-2719-21

What 1999 Chevrolet Lumina owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 13, 2019 · Engine · 13,600 miles · PA

I was driving the car home and it shut off , now it won't turn back on

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Electrical · IN

1999 chevrolet lumina ls. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shutting off while driving. *ld the consumer stated the pass-key 11 security system activated while driving causing the vehicle to lose steering and braking functions while being driven.

Filed Oct 11, 2017 · Steering · 5 miles · TX

My steering wheel has been locking up while driving and I have almost crashed into other vehicles and buildings.

Filed Apr 4, 2017 · Body · 15 miles · IN · fire

I took my car for a service repair. (tune up) only to discover on the waya awkward smell and misfire. Upon arriving I was notified that the internal hood insulation broke free and crumbled in chunks on top of my fuel injector and created a heat that melted four of the fuel injector wires covers and all.

Filed Jun 30, 2016 · Engine · 102,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 08/16/16*lj updated 08/17/16

Filed Feb 26, 2016 · Engine · 116,000 miles · TN

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Feb 17, 2016 · Tires · 25,000 miles · FL

Driving at 70mph there was a there was a large increase in noise and vibration for a minute followed by a loud bang. Inspection revealed that an explosive tire failure had occurred. Several places on the sidewall were torn and the tread had bulges on it. The defective tire was replaced. 2 months later the same brand and model tire on the other side of the car started to rumble - fortunately at only 45 MPH in town. Inspection revealed that there was a bulge on the tread so the tire was replaced. Since 2 primewell tires on the same axle failed within 2 months of each other, I believe this is manufacturers defect - not just a simple coincidence.

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Engine · 131,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2014 · Fuel system · IN

Bought 99 chevy lumina used 5-6 months ago checked everything out, found nothing serious with car just minor tune up needed and new tires. Gave car to my son as a good first car, last night took him to fill up gas tank and smelled gas, looked under the car and saw a drip coming from what appears the gas tank. Parked car at home and looked under car, no leak thought maybe I spilled gas, this morning he left for school and there is a visable puddle from where he was parked.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · OH

1999 chevrolet lumina. Consumer writes in regards to several mechanical problems and recall issues. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle cut off, while driving on the highway. It was determined, the ignition needed to be replaced. Also, the wiring harness in the steering column went out, the egr valve was replaced twice, the consumer had shifting problems and the heat and A/C were inoperative.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?

Owners have filed 103 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, 4.9 times a typical Lumina model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina?

Engine and cooling, with 45 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is brakes (19).

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Lumina have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Lumina model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (66 complaints), 1997 (53 complaints) and 1999 (45 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 26 highway.

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