1998 Chevrolet Lumina Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 7%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 7% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag was protruding as if it were going to explode. In addition, the contact mentioned that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10818652, filed 2016-01, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina. While driving approximately 28-30 MPH, another motorist made an out of turn left turn in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the front driver's side of the other vehicle. The air bag indicator illuminated, but the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was inoperable. The contact was waiting for his insurance company to determine if the vehicle was totaled. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the back, stomach, and neck. Medical assistance was needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011628, filed 2017-07, 73,000 miles“Takita recall airbag may be the cause of passenger side dash expanding outwards. Unsure of cause. Expansion is slowing coming out of sem. Have noticed approximately two years ongoing.”
NHTSA complaint #10955455, filed 2017-02“Front end damage to both sides of car, air bags did not deploy, cruise control was on, kept increasing speed, sometimes would not release when brake was touched, other times it would shut off by itself, lost control of car, front end went into a ditch & car was flipped, air bags are still intact at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #742964, filed 2001-03“Passenger side rear-view mirror has shattered after an explosion sound 3 times in 8 month. The mirror was changed the first time mirror and housing were changed time and the mirror was changed plus heating mechanism to rear-view mirror was dismantled the third time.”
NHTSA complaint #9004849, filed 2001-10Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
56 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology