1998 Chevrolet Lumina Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,744miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 5% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,744 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I lose power when going up slight inclines and the engine seems to hesitate when driving up the incline. At first I thought maybe the spark plugs were bad but had them checked and are fine. I believe the transmission is going because the car also rolls backward when stopped or on an incline.”
NHTSA complaint #730078, filed 2000-09“Upon routine inspection I noticed a bolt was laying loose on the driver side in the engine compartment on top of the transmission housing. After realizing where it went I noticed that another bolt was missing!! The two bolts are the transmission to engine block mounting bolts. I have not found any other bolts missing or loose but it is difficult to see their locations. Would not want to be traveling down the crowded highway at 65mph and have the transmission come apart from the engine!!!.......thanks dave coryea”
NHTSA complaint #754338, filed 2001-11“Car rolls backwards when stopped on slight inclines unless the brake is fully depressed. It has caught me by surprise a few times. I will mention it to dealer on my next visit as I thought this was a normal thing for big car. Steering column gives a loud clunk when turning; it sounds like it is not properly locked in the adjustment position. I have had it checked and nothing wrong was found. I have only changed the steering wheel position once in 1-1/2 yrs. Yet it still does it constantly and it is such a hard click that I feel like the steering wheel is going to drop into another position. …”
NHTSA complaint #718051, filed 2000-01“While gong up a slight incline at 30 MPH and up vehicle jerked/hesitated like it was going to cut off. Dealer and manufacturer were notified about the problem. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. Problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #852784, filed 1999-11“Vehicle will not pick up speed and cannot go into lower gears due to a problem with transaxle. The vehicle stalled while the consumer was driving and it was rear ended causing injury to the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #882446, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 19% |
| 2000 | 8 | 27% |
| 1999 | 7 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 21 | 6% |
| 1996 | 24 | 10% |
| 1995 | 57 | 12% |
| 1994 | 6 | 5% |
| 1993 | 9 | 4% |
| 1992 | 25 | 7% |
| 1991 | 11 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
56 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsAir bags
15 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