NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
52 reportsClear category filter10,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FALLEN OUT, AND THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED COMPLETELY LOSING ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE RODS WERE DEFECTIVE, THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FALLEN OUT, AND THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TIE ROAD AND ENGINE MOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,876.
NHTSA ODI #10325427
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BURN COMPLETELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265573
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
I KNOW OF SEVERAL OWNERS OF CHEVY LUMINA WHERE PAINTS IS PEELING AND ENGINE FAILURE IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO START AN INVESTIGATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242051
81,000 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 LUMINA HAS LOUD LIFTER NOISE. LIFTERS REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER, BUT NOISE IS ESPECIALLY LOUD NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208106
114,498 miles · Feb 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
'97 CHEVY LUMINA WITH A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH GM WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182204
80,000 miles · Oct 19, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureInjury
DT: THE TRUNK FELL ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. HAD BRAIN SURGERY IN 1997 AND THESE THREE INCIDENT HAD DETERIORATE THE CONSUMER'S HEALTH. ALSO, THE MUFFLER SYSTEMS ARE STAINLESS STEEL BUT THE CLAMPS ARE NOT STAINLESS STEEL. *AK UPDATE 12/27/2005 - THE TRUNK LID SPRING MECHANISM WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. TH…
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DT: THE TRUNK FELL ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. HAD BRAIN SURGERY IN 1997 AND THESE THREE INCIDENT HAD DETERIORATE THE CONSUMER'S HEALTH. ALSO, THE MUFFLER SYSTEMS ARE STAINLESS STEEL BUT THE CLAMPS ARE NOT STAINLESS STEEL. *AK UPDATE 12/27/2005 - THE TRUNK LID SPRING MECHANISM WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL FOR THE TRUNK SPRING. THE CONSUMER'S FRIEND REALIGNED THE SPRING MECHANISM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140279
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER GM PRODUCTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVROLET HOWEVER SAYS MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR RECALL. I DISAGREE, BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD GASKET IS A CONTINIUING PROBLEM PREVALENT IF NOT ALL, THAN MOST GM VEHICLES IN THIS TIME PERIOD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100141
160,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA WITH 3.1 L ENGINE. LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAKING INTO ENGINE. COST TO REPAIR $900 US FROM DEALER. PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY USING GM DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE AND A DEFECTIVE GASKET. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOWS IT EFFECTS ALL 3.1L AND 3.4L ENGINES PRODUCED FROM AROUND THE MID 1990S TO 2000. N…
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1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA WITH 3.1 L ENGINE. LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAKING INTO ENGINE. COST TO REPAIR $900 US FROM DEALER. PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY USING GM DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE AND A DEFECTIVE GASKET. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOWS IT EFFECTS ALL 3.1L AND 3.4L ENGINES PRODUCED FROM AROUND THE MID 1990S TO 2000. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY GM SINCE THIS SEAMS NOT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10098881
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires
DEALERSHIP REPLACED TWICE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS LEAKING COOLANT INSIDE THE ENGINE. ALSO, TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES. DEALER HAD FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION ALIGNED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT EXCESSIVE WEAR STILL PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10084031
72,817 miles · Apr 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA SINCE JULY OF 2002. IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY MY UNCLE, WHOM I BOUGHT IT FROM. IT HAD 57K MILES WHEN BOUGHT. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT, I NOTICED COOLANT LOSS IN THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE. TO MAKE A LONG AND EXPENSIVE STORY SHORT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT A COST …
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I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA SINCE JULY OF 2002. IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY MY UNCLE, WHOM I BOUGHT IT FROM. IT HAD 57K MILES WHEN BOUGHT. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT, I NOTICED COOLANT LOSS IN THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE. TO MAKE A LONG AND EXPENSIVE STORY SHORT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT A COST OF NEARLY $600. THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR ON GM V6 ENGINES I LATER FOUND OUT AFTER TALKING TO MECHANICS AND READING ON VARIOUS WEB SITES SUCH AS GM-V6LEMONS.COM. THIS IS A FLAWED ENGINE DESIGN THAT GM DENIES HAS ANY PROBLEMS. I ATTEMPTED TO GET GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BY ASKING FOR RENUMERATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS RESPONSE WAS IN REPLY TO A LETTER WRITTEN TO KURT RITTER, CEO OF CHEVROLET.
NHTSA ODI #10066112
NHTSA investigations
2EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 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.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 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.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 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.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 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.
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