RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest Apr 14, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 12, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv, most frequently naming the visibility, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 23 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility923.1%
  • Electrical512.8%
  • Engine410.3%
  • Interior & seats37.7%
  • Brakes37.7%
  • Body & structure37.7%
  • Seat belts37.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning25.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
DELPHIView on NHTSA.gov
02V286000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Nov 4, 2002
1,159,156 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 02049View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 35
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 14, 2007
Fire reported

I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY VEHICLE, SO I PULLED OVER. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE VENT. MY FRIEND THOUGHT IT WAS ELECTICAL, SO HE STARTED PULLING FUSES TO STOP THE PROBLEM. I DISCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE MOTOR THAT OPENED AND CLOSED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER ON THE VAN. I TOLD MY FRIEND TO JUST GET OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY, BUT BY THE TIME THEY HAD ARRIVED MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I AM THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME AT THE TIME AS I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM OUT IN TIME. MY THREE YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE BUILT-IN CAR SEAT WHICH IS NEXT TO THE DOOR. THE FIRE HAPPENED SO FAST. I MIGHT ADD I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR OR AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187857
Incident
Apr 7, 2007
Mileage
218,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 26, 2005

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL ! *AK

NHTSA ID
10114808
Incident
Oct 14, 2004
Mileage
126,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 8, 2005
Fire reported

LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10110107
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Visibility
Filed Nov 26, 2004

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101699
Incident
Nov 15, 2004
Mileage
84,286 mi
ElectricalSteeringVisibility
Filed Nov 5, 2004

EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT OF POWER STEERING, LOST STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REPLACED RACK AND PINION. *BF THE VEHICELK RACK AND PINION FAIELD PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, THE ALTERNATOR, AIR CONDITIONING AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY ALSO FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10099926
Incident
Apr 8, 2004
Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2004

ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. WIFE AND MINOR CHILD STUCK ON THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE AT 9:30 PM.,WITH STRANDED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080366
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
91,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT, THEN RUN SMOOTH AGAIN, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE CAR WOULD START BACK UP, WHEN YOU PUT INTO GEAR AND PUSH THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OUT, THE CAR WOULD JERK AS THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND THEN REENGAGE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. WE SENT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, HE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, MINOR TUNE, REPLACE AIR FILTER, CHECK FUEL PUMP - OK, AND REPLACE FUEL FILTER. CAR RAN FINE FOR THREE DAYS AND THEN REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK BACK INTO SHOP, REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND COILS. ENGINE RUNS OK, BUT WHEN ENGAGING INTO GEAR ENGINE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME RESPONSE AS BEFORE, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS RUNNING AT HALF SPEED. CAR IS NOW SLOW TO GAIN SPEED. TOP SPEED IS 65 MILES PER HOUR. NOW 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT IS ON, SOMETIMES FLASHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10062492
Incident
Mar 10, 2004
Mileage
109,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 16, 2003
Fire reported

MY 1996 LUMINA MINI VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL BECAUSE OF A WIRING SHORT. LUCKILY MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE STORE WHEN THEY CAME OUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. BOTH THE SIDE AND BACK DOORS COULD NOT OPEN BECAUSE THE POWER LOCK MODULE HAD MELTED. IF ANYONE WOULD HAVE BEEN INSIDE THEY WOULD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFELY. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043013
Incident
Sep 22, 2003
Mileage
130,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Lumina Apv by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001000—
2000000—
1999300—
1998200—
1997100—
1996Viewing352051.0
19951043053.7
1994654263.2
1993453155.1
1992762458.9
1991472763.4
1990994860.5
1989001—
1987100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.