Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 010601002A | 12/01/2002 | 010601002 | 10000782 | Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt | 03/31/2003 |
| 970901776520 | 09/01/1997 | 54342 | Experiencing an intermittent rough idle or misfire at idle after the engine is started. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| 020601014 | 04/01/2002 | 634708 | Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation. *tt | 10/07/2002 | |
| 010601010A | 06/01/2001 | 0106010101 | 620810 | Subject regarding polymer service pistons. *tt | 08/30/2001 |
| 990604005A | 04/01/2001 | 990604005 | 619360 | Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt | 05/24/2001 |
| 876002A | 07/01/1998 | 876002 | 615073 | Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not re | 12/26/2000 |
| 990604005 | 02/01/1999 | 776304A | 604343 | Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt | 04/26/1999 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 09/27/2009 | 10000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 02/23/2009 | 1 | ||
| Engine fire causing the vehicle to burn completely. *tr | |||
| 02/07/2007 | 114498 | 1 | 06/29/2006 |
| '97 chevy lumina with a defective intake manifold gasket which gm will not cover repair. *jb | |||
| 11/07/2004 | 160000 | 1 | 07/05/1997 |
| 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 | |||
| 03/19/2004 | 159000 | 1 | |
| While driving 35 mph vehicle stalled. consumer managed to restart the vehicle. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 03/15/2002 | 2 | ||
| Consumer states engine looses power then engine dies, took to dealer and they rebuilt transmission, the passenger window will not roll up or down, water pump failed on july 24, flasher lever broke inside the steering column, brakes inoperative. mr *nlm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 03/01/2002 | 1 | ||
| The consumer has multiple problem with her vehicle there is cooliant leaking from underneath the vehicle. nlm | |||
| 06/18/1999 | 3 | 06/11/1997 | |
| Vehicle has experienced brake problems, front rotors have been replaced twice, front brake pads have been replaced, rear shoes glazed. steering gear replaced due to consumer losing power steering while driving, power steering pump was replaced, rack was also replaced. water pump was leaking and was replaced. air bag light illuminated, dealer stated sir coil inoperative. *slc | |||
| 08/02/1998 | 2 | 01/01/1997 | |
| Water pump failed. yh | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 07/30/2003 | 1 | ||
| While traveling on the highway and without prior warning coolant leaked from the radiator. *ak *ph *jb | |||
| 10/10/2001 | |||
| Vehicle overheated. independant mechanic determined that radiator was plugged, and flushed radiator. one week later, vehicle overheated again. consumer checked anti freeze, it was low, so he added anti freeze. next day vehicle overheated, and consumer noticed water in oil. had vehicle towed to dealership. dealer determined that factory anti freeze was eating through t gaskets, and causing internal engine damage. vehicle needs new engine.*ak | |||
| 08/02/1998 | 2 | 01/01/1997 | |
| Thermostat failed twice. yh | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 03/07/2003 | 85000 | 05/20/1998 | |
| All engine mounts upper and lower had to be replaced. also had to replace both tie-rod ends, inner & out. *jb | |||
| 02/15/2003 | 66000 | 1 | 08/08/1997 |
| Faulty intake manifold gasket allows dextol anti freeze to leak into other parts of engine. ph | |||
| 10/10/2001 | |||
| Vehicle overheated. independant mechanic determined that radiator was plugged, and flushed radiator. one week later, vehicle overheated again. consumer checked anti freeze, it was low, so he added anti freeze. next day vehicle overheated, and consumer noticed water in oil. had vehicle towed to dealership. dealer determined that factory anti freeze was eating through t gaskets, and causing internal engine damage. vehicle needs new engine.*ak | |||
| 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 | |||
| 02/09/2001 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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 jim 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 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 04/08/1999 | 03/01/1999 | ||
| Lumina had 33698 miles and was clattering when cold starting, lasts 3-10 minutes, called dealer where car was bought, dealer says it is piston slap and it is common, nothing they can do about it. gets worse and worse as the miles rack up. car has been in three times for engine clatter and have been told everytime piston slap very common and unwarrantied. *ak | |||
| 09/04/1997 | |||
| Vehicle would experience engine leaking. owner noticed the leakage on garage floor. the problem occurred after routine maintenance on vehicle. the head gaskets/servo cover/ o rings,intake manifold/engine valves & pan gasket were changed. the transmission was also leaking. the dealer did all repairs. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1998 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Engine at cold idle is knocking again, 7000 miles since new pistions, transmission is slipping again after 7000 miles, front end suspension dealer has never been able to duplicate the problem have had it looked at 6 times. | |||
| 08/23/1997 | 3 | ||
| Intermittent stalling. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 09/29/2003 | 102700 | ||
| My 1997 chevrolet lumina has had to have the lower intake manifold gaskets replaced twice in three years at a cost of $900 each time. this is a defective car with a poor design using dex-cool engine coolant which is the origin of the problem. i've also had to replace the coolant pump and associated other parts. | |||
| 05/14/2002 | 2 | 12/10/1996 | |
| Intake manifold is leaking oil onto engine. cause unknown. dealer notified.*ak the engine had a hole where the distributor used to be and the hole was capped with o? ring and a plug. the hardening of the o'ring was due to heat causeing the oil to leak. *yh | |||
| 1 | |||
| There is a roar in the engine. | |||
| 11/01/1997 | 100 | 10/01/1997 | |
| The car cuts out, has a miss or hesitation that has not been detected on machinery.the engine was replaced, the fuel pump replaced, i was told not to use bp or super america gas, no higher than 87 octane and i have done everything religiously.the dealer has had the car on multiple occasions & admits a problem.i became so frustrated that i filed a complaint with the ohio attorney general's office.automobile complaints are outsourced and autocap has been working to resolve the problem.however, after a year i remain frustrated.i have narrowly escaped at least two accidents because of this hesitation & then pressing the gas & taking off with a vengence.this car is definately an unsafe vehicle but i have come accustomed to driving it as i have no alternative.however, my youngest son just received his driving permit & i am scared to death to let him drive this car.the dealer installed a computer at one time which recorded 3 incidents of the problem.however, upon retrieving the data, the dealer claims there was data.they also report problems with the computers & quite frankly i don't believe they know how to use them.at one point the dealer offered to take this vehicle off my hands & put me in either another '97 for an additional $1000 or a new car for $349/mo.due to credit problems (a long story but i've worked 2 jobs for the past 11 years after a plant closing where my husband & i became displaced workers.we survived on my credit cards as my husband had problems emotionally & mentally dealing with being unable to provide for his family.he made less than $2000 several years & i became the sole provider.i wouldn't call living in a $60,000 home living lavishly so you can see we didn't get extravagent!)i cannot get a loan.however, i am working to repay my debts & rebuild my credit.the constant worry of driving an unsafe vehicle is driving me insane.any assistance you may provide would be greatly appreciated.thank you for your time. | |||
| 05/30/1999 | 2 | 04/01/1997 | |
| Car has just quit running on two occasions,the last time in a major intersection almost causing a major crash. pushed car out of intersection. if car is left setting for 1/2 to 1 hour it will start up.car will be driven if it starts in am or towed if not to dealer.very dangerous situation. notice numerous other complaints of this problemn in consumer complaint section. *ak | |||
| 05/31/2000 | 10/01/1996 | ||
| Vehicle surges when approaching the speed of 25 to 45mph. motor was replaced 27,000, and there was no prior warning. transmission replaced at 10,000. dealer has worked on the vehicle, but problem still exists. owner planning to file for lemon law protection. *ak *ml | |||
| 11/11/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1997 | |
| Oil leak on engine- dealer says it is at intake | |||
| 02/02/1998 | 2 | 01/01/1997 | |
| The installed new engine failed. yh | |||
| 5 | |||
| While driving at any speed the vehicle just quits without warning. the vehicle has been towed to the dealership at least 5 times for this problem. the dealer is not able to correct this problem. please provide any furhter details. *ak | |||
| 1 | 08/01/1997 | ||
| Engine leaked oil. nm | |||
| 06/01/1997 | 3 | ||
| Vehicle stalls without warning at various speeds. | |||
| 10/07/1998 | 15 | 10/01/1997 | |
| Vehicle undergoes loss of power when traveling at normal rate of speed and also when first pulling off from a stopped position. seems like a dead pedal. vehicle has been in shop since 0ct 7,98 and dealership still unable to determine problem. almost resulted in an accident on 2 seperate occasions. | |||
| 09/26/1998 | 5 | 02/14/1998 | |
| Intermittently while driving the vehicle at any speed itjust completely dies out. the manufacturer is aware of the problem. the dealer is not able to detect what the prolbem is. *ak *nlm | |||
| 07/15/1998 | |||
| Intermittent problem: when traveling at any speed the vehicle cuts off without prior warning, resulting in loss of all power. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to find the cause of the problem. please provide any futher details. *ak | |||
| 06/24/1997 | |||
| Vehicle just cuts off while driving without any warning, and then have to restart the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 02/17/1997 | 4 | ||
| Intermittently while driving the vehicle stalls without warning. vehicle has been at dealership (3) times for this problem; 2/17/ 97, 2/21/97 and 6/19/97. dealer cannot guarantee a fix for problem. *ak fuel tank was broke and dealer replaced. *jb | |||
| Everytime car is driven it makes a whistling noise. dealer says it's in the engine. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 08/06/2003 | 53000 | 2 | |
| When the serpentine belt gets wet it has a tendency to slide off the pulleys.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 02/18/2001 | 66500 | 08/14/1997 | |
| Gm should recall faulty intake manifold gasket installed in their vehicles. as of april 10, 2002, there is a nationwide backorder of the intake manifold gasket. at this time, is it not even known when the part will become available. being aware of this proves there is a serious problem to be addressed. because of apparent poor engineering, gm can not manufacture replacements fast enough for all the vehicles in which they are needed. intake manifold leaks can lead to any number of very serious, and expensive, problems. while the part itself isn't costly, the labor to repair it is very intensive, and has been quoted around $800 usd (give or take a couple hundred depending on the vehicle). this is in addition to any other costly problem(s) the intake manifold gasket leak may have produced. *nlm | |||
| 03/15/2001 | 1 | 03/01/2001 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 03/15/2000 | 08/01/1998 | ||
| The fuel guage componets will cost over 500 for parts alone. on the engine check light problem the o2 sensor at manifold was replaced and it drove fine for 1.5 months. it has done it again. can humidity play a part. the car runs ok after a few minutes. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||
| While driving at highway speeds vehicle stalled out and died. dealer inspecte vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 11/06/2007 | 81000 | 1 | 10/20/2002 |
| 1997 lumina has loud lifter noise. lifters replaced once by dealer, but noise is especially loud now that the weather is cold. *tr | |||
| 10/19/2005 | 80000 | 3 | 01/11/1997 |
| 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 | |||
| 11/16/2004 | 1 | 09/09/1999 | |
| 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 | |||
| 08/02/2004 | 3 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 12/18/2003 | 72817 | 07/15/2002 | |
| 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. | |||
| 01/07/2004 | 1 | ||
| Consumer stated intake manifold was leaking antifreeze. he took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that they were seeing a lot of these types of vehicle with similar problems. *ak | |||
| 03/10/2001 | 62000 | 05/20/1998 | |
| Intake exhaust manifold leaking, had to take to mechanic and have repaired. *jb | |||
| 01/13/2003 | 53000 | 1 | |
| The manifold gasket leaked oil, which caused the vehicle to stall. *jb | |||
| Consumer states that the intake manifold is leaking oil. please provide any additional information. ph | |||
| 05/01/1998 | |||
| Reported to dealer car was leaking oil. dealer said it was leaking from the intake. the dealer had serviced this car every 3 to 4 thousand miles and should have caught this before the warrenty expired and let me know.*ak | |||