Model year guide

1999 Chevrolet Lumina

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Chevrolet Lumina at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints112
Combined19–21 mpg
Typical price$1,067

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #15V701000 · 26/10/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the ori…

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #09V116000 · 08/04/2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-6…

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,317
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,583 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,067
High
$2,500

From 6 comparable 1999 Chevrolet Lumina listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,585
Depreciation (5 yrs)$500
Total$17,085
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,067) with the same model 3 model-years older ($767), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LS
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

1999 Chevrolet Lumina vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Lumina model years

1999 Chevrolet Lumina — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina?

Across all 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic.

What is the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Chevrolet Lumina get?

The 1999 Chevrolet Lumina has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Comparable 1999 Chevrolet Lumina listings run roughly $600–$2,500, typically around $1,067 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.