This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that the vehicle continues to overheat and must constantly apply antifreeze. The vehicle has no visible leaks and while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled. The mechanic stated that antifreeze leaked into the engine and caused the failure. The current and failure mileages were 86,558.
Intake gaskets leak. I just bought a car less than three weeks ago, and a few days ago, the car started heating up, the "hot" light lit up, and low coolant light came on. I pulled over right away and had to put some windshield washer fluid in the overflow bottle so I could get somewhere, to call someone. They brought antifreeze, and when we went to fill the radiator, it was already full. Thinking maybe it was just a thermostat, we replaced that, but it kept doing the same thing, next suggestion was there an air bubble somewhere, so that was bled. Still same problem. Went to check the oil, only to find that the antifreeze was dumping into the oil pan. Called the head shop only to find that this motor (3.1) is known for the intake gaskets going out all the time. Looked for recalls, nothing listed for intake gaskets, so we called a dealer to punch in our vehicle identification number to see if there was any special recall problems for anything that has not been fixed yet. The search resulted in finding out that the intake gasket has been replaced at least once, under warranty. The car only has 108,000 miles on it, and now, two sets of intake gaskets that we know of, maybe more not replaced under warranty. That's ridiculous. I have got a Dodge van that has 220,000 and the original intake gaskets have never went out. I really think there should be a recall, and replaced with a better set of gaskets because apparently the ones used are cheap, and worthless.
Vehicle started overheating. Replaced themostat and was told by mechanic that the head gaskets were failing. Took vehicle to Chevrolet who ran diagnostics and informed me that head gaskets were leaking. Dealer told me that intake manifold gasket failure is common in the 3.1 but failure of head gaskets are not as common. The dealer replaced both head gaskets at a total cost of over $900. I asked the dealer if there was a recall on this and he replied no. I have spoken to several people since the time of my repairs and they to are experiencing the same problems with their vehicles....overheating with associated head gasket failure. At this point I am very displease with General Motors inability to recognize that a problem does exist with head gasket and intake manifold gasket failure on the 3.1 engine. I have found that local mechanics are willing to acknowledge the problem exists while the GM mechanics will not.
Car was purchased at a dealership. I understood it was a used car and I wanted to purchase the extended warranty, but dealership would not let us. Two weeks after purchase the transmission blew. We bought another transmission from dealership and then that one failed. Finally, I complained to the manufacturer and received a new transmission. This car has had a total of 3 transmissions, new head gaskets and now the engine failed. The locks on passenger and driver side do not work. The car was well maintained. I was told by the manufacturer that they could not help me in any way due to the age and mileage on the car. I know plenty of people who have had their cars for at least 8 or 10 yrs. And still have the same engine. I suspect the dealership knew something was wrong with this car and sold it to us anyway. The car was sold to us for $12,500 they added an additional 25% interest, so in the end we are paying over $20,000 for this car. It is now going to cost me $4,800 to fix the car. This price exceeds what I owe. This car has been nothing but problems since day 1 and now the windows work when they want to. This vehicle is used to get to work and home, it's not like I was out drag racing in it. I'm just very upset. Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
- Woodbridge, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Temperature gauge was reading hot engine, ,consumer started to add coolant, and there was no visable signs of leaking. A couple of days later, temperature gauge went to hot, then, within minutes it was back to normal. Took to dealer, and they said intake manifold was leaking. Manifold and head gasket had to be replaced.
Gasket failure caused anti-freeze to mix with engine oil and destroy lubrication to bearings causing breakdown and engine knock. Engine needs to be replaced approximate cost of $4,000
Vehicle was parked. Noticed coolant light on. Placed coolant in engine and light went off. Week later, light back on. This process was repeated numerous times. Finally took vehicle to mechanic, and light came on and stayed. Next day, mechanic indicated head gaskets had failed. Mechanic contacted manufacturer, and informed consumer nothing could be done due to aluminum piece had melted & vehicle out of warranty. Part was repairable. Informed engine was no good and defective in beginning, and needed to be replaced.
Car was working fine on 10/15, went out to start car on 10/16, and it was completely dead, towing company unable to jump start vehicle, would crank but not turn over. Had vehicle towed to mechanic, who found coolant hose connector, had cracked and was spraying the alternator with coolant, causing it to short out, and send spikes of electricity through my system. Thus far have had to replace the ignition module, cam sensor, and multiple burnt fusible link wires. Still having "service engine soon" light on, and mechanic feels will also have to replace the computer, due to quad driver codes present when checked by his computer. I find it interesting that the local dealer, not only had this coolant hose connector, in stock, but also that the part, which was made of plastic originally, is now made of a heavy metal. I am curious if there have been other reports of this type of failure. Has so far cost me $700 to replace these failed parts, and will probably be another $300 to $400 for the computer I am told.
When driving at 40 mph vehicle overheated, and came to a complete stop in the middle of traffic. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer. Dealer noticed a head gasket had blown a rod.
While trying to start vehicle would not start. Towed truck to dealer, and dealer stated engine head gasket was blown. Please provide further informaton.
Windshield wipers have failed several intermitant times. First time in 1998 at 70 miles per hour in a rain storm, wipers stopped, took car off cruise then the resumed. Several intermitent times afterward. Dealer wanted $400 + to "fix" moter. I was sceptical becuase this is not the only GM car I have driven with wiper trouble. Last big incident was last fall 1999 when the wipers stopped on the interstate with my pregnant wife and child in car -200 miles from home. I could not get them to resume. Checked fuse etc. Waited out storm under bridge, proceded to truck stop and bought rain-X to continue journey. When I got to destination I pulled the wiper motor and it checked out fine and the switch-ok. Intermitent troubles are hard to get fixed! I took wiper motor apart, cleaned brushes, and noticed some build-up on the communicator disc, and contacts for the parking mechanism. Cleaned this with light abrasive -reasembled and have had no problem since, although with the wiper's history I now use rain-X all the time. I am afraid to travel in snow with kids in vehicle. I would like to sell it but with the wiper system troubles, and the cooling system that keeps leaking -new radiator, water pump, and head gasket -mechanics say pink coolant is corrosive. I can't sell it to another, and I can't afford to keep throwing money at this van. Thank you.vincent walter.
The low coolant light came on while driving. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that everything was okay. They flushed the coolant and filled it. Drove it again, light came on again, and temperature gauge began to run hot. Took it to dealer again there were no leaks. They drained out the oil from engine and antifreeze also came out.
While driving at 50 to 60mph vehicle made a loud snapping noise and jerked. This was due to the right motor mount bracket dropped the motor 3 to 4 inches to the ground. Vehicle has been repaired.
The temperature gauge started to go up and down. It was found that there was anti-freeze in the oil, a seal was replaced. But that has not solved the problem. Looks like I will have to replace the engine. Mechanic stated that there are problems with that engine, and showed the seal which was bad. He stated that it is a bad design.
After noticing anti-freeze on driveway, owner took vehicle over to dealership and found the engine gasket to be leaking. The head gasket was fixed by the dealership.
Engine has high torque. As a result, it is experiencing excessive oil consumption. Every 1,000 miles burns 1 quart of oil. Dealer contacted three times, and cannot remedy the problem. Provide further information.
While driving vehicle experienced smoke coming from the hood, and a odor which may cause a fire. Dealer said they need to replace the intake manifold gaskets/ engine valve covers and " 0" rings, etc.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holland, MI, USA