RoadVitals

1999 Chevrolet Lumina Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
103
Latest Aug 13, 2019
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 22, 1999

What this page shows

Our database holds 103 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 103 · page 1 of 5

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2019

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND IT SHUT OFF , NOW IT WON'T TURN BACK ON

NHTSA ID
11243554
Incident
Aug 6, 2019
Mileage
13,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 2018

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. *JS

NHTSA ID
11150568
Incident
Nov 13, 2018
Steering
Filed Oct 11, 2017

MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED INTO OTHER VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS.

NHTSA ID
11032846
Incident
Oct 8, 2017
Mileage
5 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2017
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10970616
Incident
Apr 4, 2017
Mileage
15 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2016

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 NHTSA 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 *JB

NHTSA ID
10881856
Incident
Jun 12, 2015
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2016

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID
10838554
Incident
Feb 26, 2015
Mileage
116,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 17, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10836662
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10824855
Incident
Dec 8, 2015
Mileage
131,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2014

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. *JS

NHTSA ID
10661874
Incident
Dec 2, 2014
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 17, 2014

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10632858
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Apr 1, 2014

WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR WILL JUST SUDDENLY CUT OFF AND THIS OCCURS WHETHER STOPPED AT THE LIGHT OR WHILE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE VOLT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR JUST CUTS OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER (YOUMAN'S CHEVROLET, MACON, GA) TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM BY RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, BUT COULD NEVER DETERMINE THE CAUSE. SINCE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR, AND WONDERING IF THE PROBLEM COULD BE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR, I PARKED THE CAR AND PURCHASED ANOTHER CAR IN MAY, 2013. THE CAR IS STILL PARKED IN MY YARD. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME THING THAT IS HAPPENING TO THE OTHER GM CARS BUT MY MODEL IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY 1999 LUMINAS STILL BEING DRIVEN AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10576171
Incident
Feb 20, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 7, 2011

I WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND'S 1999 LUMINA. I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION TO WAIT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE LIGHT CHANGED I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, HOWEVER THE CAR PROCEEDED STRAIGHT. THE TIRES WOULD NOT TURN, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FREELY BUT THE TIRES WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. AFTER HE EXAMINED THE CAR IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELDS THAT HOLD THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE TO THE FRAME HAD FAILED. I HAD TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL WELDS REDONE COSTING ME $ 400.00 THEN ANOTHER $ 300.00 TO HAVE THE ENGINE RE-ALIGNED. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY THAT WE OFTEN TRAVEL WE WOULD HAVE DIED AS THAT ROAD HAS SHARP CURVES AND NO SHOULDERS ONLY DEEP CANYONS TO FALL INTO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438879
Incident
Dec 3, 2011
Mileage
79,528 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2011
Fire reported

GM SAFETY RECALL COMPLAINT: I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY DROVE ABOUT HALF A BLOCK AND SMELLED SMOKE; RETURNED HOME, PARKED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED HOOD AND FOUND ENGINE OWN FIRE IN SMALL FLAMES. I PROCEEDED TO POUR A SMALL BUCKET OF WATER ON THE FIRE AND IT WENT OUT. COINCIDENTALLY, I HAD JUST RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 09047 FROM GM THE SAME DAY, STATING THAT THE CAR COULD CATCH FIRE STARTING WITH THE SPARK PLUG WIRES CHANNEL AND BEYOND. I CONTACTED THE CLOSEST DEALER ROBBINS CHEVROLET AND WHO TOLD ME TO CALL GM BECAUSE THE CAR HAD ALREADY CAUGHT ON FIRE. I PROCEEDED TO CONTACT GM WHERE I RECEIVED CLAIM NUMBER 71-100-902-8310 AND WAS THEN TOLD IT WOULD TAKE 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET BACK TO ME AND LET ME KNOW IF THEY WOULD EVEN PAY FOR SERVING OR EVEN AUTHORIZE A DEALER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE FOR CAUSE. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE LACK OF CONCERN FOR ME AS A CUSTOMER OR WHY GETTING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BASED ON THE RECALL WOULD BE IN QUESTION. MY COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF CONCERN AND EXTREMELY LONG TIME FRAME INVOLVED IN GETTING AUTHORIZATION TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED BASED ON THE SAFETY RECALL. THE RECALL LETTER STATES "IF YOU NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR GM DEALER INSPECT YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY."I FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE ONLY TO BE TOLD POLICY DICTATES THEY HAVE 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE LETTING ME KNOW IF THEY ARE EVEN WILLING TO HAVE THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE. AND WHILE THIS MAY BE POLICY, 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS IS A LONG TIME WHEN YOU HAVE GO TO WORK AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN GM'S HANDLING OF THIS SITUATION AND I FEEL THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION ARE BEING HANDLED POORLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435695
Incident
Nov 15, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. A GAS-LIKE FUME WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS AND WOULD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE LOWER AND UPPER INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/19/11

NHTSA ID
10402993
Incident
Apr 27, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 26, 2011

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR THE GEARS WOULD STICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10402844
Incident
Mar 4, 2011
Mileage
162,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2010

I HAVE A 1999 CHEVY LUMINA - THE INTAKE GASKET, STARTED LEAKING, GRADUALLY, NOW IT HAS A BAD LEAK. I READ GM HAS OR HAD A RECALL ON INTAKE GASKETS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10362911
Incident
Sep 11, 2010
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2010

FUMES OF EVAPORATED COOLANT FROM FAULTY GASKET WERE SUCKED INTO VEHICLES VENTILATION SYSTEM. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359925
Incident
Aug 24, 2010
Mileage
138,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2010

WE OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA LTZ WITH THE NATURALLY ASPIRATED L36 3.8L V6. THE VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM THAT IT LEAKS BOTH OIL AND ENGINE COOLANT INTERNALLY. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS AND HAS BEEN PROVEN TRUE. THE PROFESSIONAL DISCOVERED THE ENGINE IS LEAKING ALONG ABOUT THREE SEALS, TWO ON THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE REAR OF THE MOTOR. WE MUST POUR COOLANT INTO THE RESERVOIR ONCE EVERY COUPLE WEEKS OR EVEN SOONER. THE OIL IS BURNED OFF AND USUALLY NEEDS FILLED BY THE TIME IT NEEDS AN OIL CHANGE (ABOUT ONCE EVERY 3000 MILES). ALL SYSTEMS ARE WORKING PROPERLY IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING, ONE CAN SMELL THE FUMES FROM BURNING OIL AND COOLANT. GENERAL MOTORS DID RECALL THIS ENGINE RECENTLY FOR ENGINE FIRES TO ONLY PREVENT THE SPREAD BY REMOVING A SPARK PLUG CHANNEL AND REPLACING TWO SPARK PLUGS. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS WHAT'S CAUSING THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. GENERAL MOTORS CORP. HAS ALSO PLACED A RECALL FOR THE L67, WHICH IS THE "SUPERCHARGED" VERSION OF THE L36, FOR SIMILAR ISSUES SUCH AS ENGINE SEALS LEAKING. THIS MAKES FOR A VERY AGGRAVATING SITUATION. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE COULD COST AT LEAST $1600. FROM LISTENING TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME MOTOR, THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, SO IT'S NOT JUST OUR VEHICLE. GM MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTION TO HELP OWNERS OR COMPLETELY PAY TO REPLACE THEIR MOTOR SEALS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341270
Incident
Aug 15, 2009
Interior & seatsOther / unspecified
Filed May 25, 2010

I HAVE A 1999 CHEVY LUMINA, THAT IN 2007 BOTH THE REAR DOOR LATCHES BROKE A FEW MONTHS APART I CONTACTED THE DEALER BOTH TIMEAS AND HAD THE LATCH REPLACED AT A COST OF 2 APPROX. 200.00 EACH I HAD ASKED IF THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PART ONCE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE OTHER REAR DOOR THEY REPLIED NO. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE SINCE I ONLY USE THE VEH TO GO TO WORK AND RARELY USE THE BACK DOORS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY AUNT WAS IN THE REAR SEAT WHEN I WENT SLOWLY AROUND A BEND AND THE DOOR FLEW OPENED AND WOULD NO LATCH TO CLOSE. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE LATCH LETTING LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. AFTER HAVING BOTH DOOR HINGES REPLACED WITH NEW PARTS AT A COST OF OVER 400.00 I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE END OF THE PROBLEM. TODAY WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN, I HAVE CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY IF SOMEONE WOULD BE IN THE VEH, GM DOES NOT SEEM TO SHARE MY CONCERNS AND SEEM NOT INTERESTED IN TRYING TO RESOLVE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10332228
Incident
May 25, 2010
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2010

COOLANT LEAK OFF OF BOTTOM SIDE OF MOTOR. I OWN A 3.1 LITER V6 AND THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING THAT I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE SEVERAL POSTS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 1999 CHEVY LUMINA, MY COOLANT LEAK STARTED OVER 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT FIXED IT CAUSE I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR THAT MUCH, MY CAR ONLY HAS 90000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE LEAK OF COOLANT IS DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING OF MANIFOLD GASKET SEAL. PLEASE REFER TO THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1999/CHEVROLET/LUMINA

NHTSA ID
10323270
Incident
Jun 20, 2007
Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2010

I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING. I CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT AND ALL THE RADIATOR HOSES IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THINKING THAT THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A LEAK I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I HAD TO START USING THE HEATER IN OCT 09 WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I THEN USED RADIATOR FLUSH AND CLEANER AND STILL MY MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE LEAK. I WAS HAVING TO PUT ANTIFREEZE IN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO WORK (USUALLY A 15 MIN DRIVE). ONE COLD MORNING I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT HE SHOWED ME THE LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY. IT COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (650.00). THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE OTHER WORK AND REPAIRS THAT WERE MADE PRIOR TO REPLACING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. I CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT TWICE AND ALL THE RADIATOR HOSES BEFORE FINDING THE LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GETTING IT FIXED. I WOULD ALSO GO THROUGH A GALLON OF DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE EVERY OTHER DAY; AT A COST OF $14.00 PLUS TAX. THE OLD PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. MY MECHANIC SHOWED IT TO ME AND IT WAS EATEN UP. HE TOLD ME HE HAS FIXED HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH THIS SAME ENGINE AND PROBLEM... *TR

NHTSA ID
10303281
Incident
Apr 16, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,375.

NHTSA ID
10279149
Incident
Jul 29, 2009
Mileage
180,375 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2009

MY LUMINA SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE REFRIGERANT CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL SHOPS INCLUDING A DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET. EACH AND EVERY REPAIR FACILITY SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE LUMINA. WITH 56000 MILES I AM NOW FACED WITH A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR.IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS.? I HAVE HAD AN AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED AS WELL AS MANY OTHER EXPENSIVE ITEMS. I AM PAYING TWICE FOR THIS VEHICLE IN REPAIRS. THE POSITION OF THE BATTERY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO REPLACE THEMSELVES. THE LUMINA IS TURNING INTO A MONEY PIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10277137
Incident
Jul 6, 2009
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2009

1999 CHEVY LUMINA IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET AS CONFIRMED BY TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL DUE TO FIRE HAZARD FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY AUTHORIZES DEALERS TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG CHANNEL TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF FIRE. OIL CAN STILL LEAK INTO THE MANIFOLD, WHICH DUE TO TEMPERATURE, YET POSING A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, THE OIL BEGINS LEAKING EXTERNALLY POSING THE INITIAL FIRE HAZARD BUT AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSES, THE LEAKAGE BECOMES INTERNAL AND SEEPAGE INTO THE COOLANT NULLIFIES COOLANT FUNCTION CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS POSES AN ADDITIONAL FIRE HAZARD AND EVEN IF NO FIRE OCCURS THE ENGINE WILL STILL SEIZE DUE TO OVERHEATING CAUSING ACCIDENT RISK. WHEN CONTACTING GM, CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE TECHNICAL ANSWERS BUT WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND PLACED A CONFERENCE CALL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT A LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND COULD STILL POSE A THREAT BUT THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD BE 'HAPPY TO CHECK IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM AT OUR EXPENSE' EVEN THOUGH IT'S A DEFECTIVE PART. THEY COULD NOT CONFIRM WHY THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS NOT BEING CORRECTED, ONLY THE CHANNEL COVER IN A TOKEN EFFORT TO APPEASE CONSUMERS BUT NOT TRULY CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME BACK TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN OFFER NO REASONING OTHER THAN THEY DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, JUST MINIMIZE POSSIBLE RISK OF FIRE SPREADING. I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF FOUR OTHER INDIVIDUALS UNDER THIS SAFETY RECALL, #09047, THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TO THE DEGREE THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT BUT STILL GM REFUSES TO CORRECT THE ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUE. THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANDED, NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT, AND EVEN HAD TO PUT A SMALL FIRE OUT THEM SELF. MINIMIZING A SIGNIFICANT FIRE THREAT IS NOT NEARLY SUFFICIENT WHEN IT CAN BE PREVENTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10272482
Incident
Apr 1, 2009
Mileage
77,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 29, 2009

VEHICLE KILLS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. NOT EVERY TIME BUT I'VE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO RESTART IT FROM A STOP LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10272348
Incident
Oct 10, 2008
Mileage
167,000 mi

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