Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 81 of 347 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Steering. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
34 crash reports8 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
347 reports
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Power Train
WE CAN NOT TELL WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN, IT KEEPS CHANGING OVER TIME. I CAN NOT TELL WHEN AND IF I AM IN REVERSE UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STEP ON THE GAS. SOMETIMES REVERSE SOMETIMES NOT. TODAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE INDICATOR IS IN REVERSE THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL THE TRANSM…
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WE CAN NOT TELL WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN, IT KEEPS CHANGING OVER TIME. I CAN NOT TELL WHEN AND IF I AM IN REVERSE UNTIL I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STEP ON THE GAS. SOMETIMES REVERSE SOMETIMES NOT. TODAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE INDICATOR IS IN REVERSE THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL THE TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE,WE THINK. WHEN I GO TO PARK IT COULD BE REVERSE, NEVER SURE. IN FACT NEVER SURE WHERE REVERSE IS. TODAY MY WIFE ASKED ME TO WRITE OUT HOW TO TELL WHICH GEAR SHE IS IN. SHE DECIDED NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ON THIS CAR IS CONFUSING, UNSAFE AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM GM OR NHTSA. JOSEPH SPENCER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745086
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2001
Seats
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT KEEPS RECLINING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887311
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NOTICED OIL SPOTS ON DRIVEWAY. REPARKED IN DIFFERENT LOCATION AND MORE OIL SPOTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT INTAKE GASKETS WERE LEAKING. HAD NO PROBLEM DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885617
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, FUEL PUMP FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. PUMP WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 12 MONTHS AND LASTED 13 MONTHS. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #884937
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742570
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2001
Suspension
SUSPENSION MAKES A POPING AND SCRUNCHING NOISE WHILE MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE IS A TSB ON SAME PROBLEM. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #882261
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Fuel System, Other
GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY, MAKING DRIVER UNAWARE OF AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. DEALER CANT FIND CAUSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881158
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR IT'S REGULAR 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. HE TOLD ME AT THAT TIME THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I WAS RATHER RELUCTANT TO THIS AS I HAD PROBLEMS IN THE…
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TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR IT'S REGULAR 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. HE TOLD ME AT THAT TIME THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I WAS RATHER RELUCTANT TO THIS AS I HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THIS SAME DEALERSHIP. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR THERE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AGAIN THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. THEY DID INSTALL STRUTS ON MY CAR AFTER MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE SHOT (MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTEE), BUT AGAIN I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TWICE AND POINT OUT THE LEAKING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE STRUTS (THEIR MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND IT). SO RELUCTANTLY I TOOK MY CAR THERE. THE SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] ASSURED ME THAT THE WOULD IN FACT WORK WITH ME TO GET IT REPAIRED. HE TOLD ME THAT SOMETIMES CHEVY WOULD PAY AS MUCH AS 75% OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. HE CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME THAT HIS MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS, BUT DID IN FACT FIND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. IT WOULD COST ABOUT $700.00 TO REPAIR BUT THEY WOULD ONLY CHARGE ME $500.00 TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE, BUT CHEVY WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS. I TOLD HIM AT THAT TIME NO THANK YOU, I COULD HAVE IT DONE AT MY MECHANIC FOR LESS. HE CALLED ME BACK WITHIN MINUTES OF MY HANGING UP THE PHONE AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO IT FOR $350.00. I AGREED AS IT WAS LESS THAN MY MECHANIC WOULD CHARGE. I ALSO QUESTIONED HIM AGAIN ABOUT THE HEAD GASKETS, HE ASSURED ME THEY WERE OKAY. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED ON THE FEBRUARY 15, 2001. I DID NOT USE THE CAR OFTEN, HAVE ACTUALLY PUT ON LESS THAN 50 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR. TODAY IS FEBRUARY 22 AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKETS ARE SHOT PER MY MECHANIC. I HAVE MORE TO COMMENT ON, BUT NOT ENOUGH ROOM. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUA
NHTSA ODI #741353
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ANTIFREEZE WAS SPROUTING OUT. LIGHT HAD CAME ON. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ENGINE GASKETS WERE GONE & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT ENGINE GASKET PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880915
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineFire
WE NEED ASSISTANTS - MY '97 LUMINA CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DOWN OUR HOUSE ON 10/29/00. WE LOST THE CAR, WHICH MELTED DOWN TO THE FRAME, THE HOUSE AND CONTENTS. WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES IF THIS HAD OCCURRED TWO HOURS LATER. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE ATHENS CLARKE COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND THE COTTON STATES INVESTIG…
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WE NEED ASSISTANTS - MY '97 LUMINA CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DOWN OUR HOUSE ON 10/29/00. WE LOST THE CAR, WHICH MELTED DOWN TO THE FRAME, THE HOUSE AND CONTENTS. WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES IF THIS HAD OCCURRED TWO HOURS LATER. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE ATHENS CLARKE COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND THE COTTON STATES INVESTIGATOR THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND DAYLIGHT RUNNERS CAUSED THIS FIRE. THIS DEFECT IN MY VEHCILE IS A LIFE SAFTEY ISSUE - WHO WILL BE THE NEXT VICTMS? PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
2
EA03019 · 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.
1997 Chevrolet Lumina Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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