IllustrationMANIFOLD LEAK DEVELOPED AROUND 55000 MILES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF COOLANT, AND $1000 REPAIR, OF AN APPARENTLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM 3.1 LITER V6 ENGINES. MINE IS A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA. *AK
1999 Chevrolet Lumina
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 126.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lumina years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
625–50K
1550–75K
575–100K
8100–150K
8150K+
49 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
41 reports1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA,ONLY 70,000 MILES, HAVE HAD THE INJECTORS FLUSHED X3, NOW NEED MANIFOLD REPLACED AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED, COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1000. PROBLEM RELATED TO DEFECTIVE GASKETS ON CHEVROLET'S PART SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY CHEVROLET, NOT THE AUTO OWNER. CHEVROLET HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NUMER…
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1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA,ONLY 70,000 MILES, HAVE HAD THE INJECTORS FLUSHED X3, NOW NEED MANIFOLD REPLACED AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED, COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1000. PROBLEM RELATED TO DEFECTIVE GASKETS ON CHEVROLET'S PART SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY CHEVROLET, NOT THE AUTO OWNER. CHEVROLET HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PERSONS HAVING TO REPLACE PARTS DUE TO THEIR FAILURE TO MAKE A CORRECTION OR A RECALL. I WANT CHEVROLET HELD RESPONSIBLE AND TO REIMBURSE MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS DONE TO THEIR VEHICLES. *LA
THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED. *AK *NLM
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. *JB
ENGINE WITH 60,000 MILES IS BASICALLY DEAD, CHEVY WANTS $500. TO "LOOK" INSIDE AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PRIVATE MECHANIC SAID IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PISTONS NOT PROPERLY FITTING INTO CYLINDERS. (I THINK HE CALLED IT "PISTON SLAM") HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS WITH SAME 3.1 ENGINE DYING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 60 AND 80 THOUSAND MILE…
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ENGINE WITH 60,000 MILES IS BASICALLY DEAD, CHEVY WANTS $500. TO "LOOK" INSIDE AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PRIVATE MECHANIC SAID IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PISTONS NOT PROPERLY FITTING INTO CYLINDERS. (I THINK HE CALLED IT "PISTON SLAM") HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS WITH SAME 3.1 ENGINE DYING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 60 AND 80 THOUSAND MILES. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY $500 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, AND THEN ANOTHER $3500 FOR A NEW ENGINE? YES, THE CAR WENT OUT OF WARRANTY IN DEC. BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. *NLM
LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 3.1 V-6, 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA, 54K MILEAGE. DEALER ESTIMATES $1000 TO REPAIR. INTERNET SITES LIST MANY CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WILL BE THE RESULT IF I DON'T FIX IT - BUT WHY SHOULD I PAY WHEN CHEVROLET DIDN'T DO THEIR ENGINEERING CORRECT…
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LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 3.1 V-6, 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA, 54K MILEAGE. DEALER ESTIMATES $1000 TO REPAIR. INTERNET SITES LIST MANY CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WILL BE THE RESULT IF I DON'T FIX IT - BUT WHY SHOULD I PAY WHEN CHEVROLET DIDN'T DO THEIR ENGINEERING CORRECT ON THE GASKET AND COOLANT. TS
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 4/23/01, UP UNTIL TODAYS DATE 5/21, I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR: 4/25 UPON BRAKING CAR WOULD SHAKE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. 4/28, DRIVING OUT OF TOWN FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES WITHIN TWO DAYSOF EACH OTHER ALONG WITH NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM BRAKING. WHILE DRI…
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CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 4/23/01, UP UNTIL TODAYS DATE 5/21, I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR: 4/25 UPON BRAKING CAR WOULD SHAKE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. 4/28, DRIVING OUT OF TOWN FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES WITHIN TWO DAYSOF EACH OTHER ALONG WITH NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM BRAKING. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE LOUD ROAR AND VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM REAR TIRES, CAR PULLING ALL OVER HIGHWAY AT SPEED OF 60MPH. 5/11 COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY PERFORM ALIGNMENT. CLEANING ASHTRAY, UPON REPLACING BACK PIECE BROKE. NOISE COMING FROM AC, WHEN I ACCELERATE, IT BECAME LOUDER, TURN OFF AC, NOISE WENT AWAY. CALLED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, FAN MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ROAR COMING FROM TIRES, HE STATED TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOT TO SURE, TREAD WEAR STILL IN GOOD SHAPE. WINDSHIELD WASHER DOES NOT WORK ON PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP POSITION, CAR SEEMS AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF. THIS PAST WEEKEND 5/19, I SMELL GAS FUMES. ALSO, AFTER HAVING BRAKE INSPECTION PERFORMED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BRAKE PADS WERE NEEDED, HONDA SAID THEY WERE NOT, BUT TIL THIS DAY, WHEN BRAKING I HEARING SCRUBBING OR RUBBING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, AND TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. PLEASE NOTE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO RECORD ALL THIS INFORMATION IN THE "FAILED COMPONENT PARTS" SECTION.. *AK
CONSUMER WAS SMELLING GASOLINE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WAS GETTING HEADACHE HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THERE WAS LEAK COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T WORK RIGHT CONSUMER STATED THAT HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
UPON STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE BLEW UP, CAUSING PIECES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO GO FLYING IN THE AIR, RESULTING IN 2500 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *ML
Official recalls
215V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Oct 26, 2015
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 & remedy
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 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
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 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.
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 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.
09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Apr 8, 2009
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 & remedy
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 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.