1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility923.1%
- Electrical512.8%
- Engine410.3%
- Interior & seats37.7%
- Brakes37.7%
- Body & structure37.7%
- Seat belts37.7%
- Heating & air conditioning25.1%
- Steering25.1%
- Tires & wheels12.6%
- Driver assistance12.6%
- Fuel system12.6%
- Suspension12.6%
- Transmission12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL ! *AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.*AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT A WELD SNAPPED AND THE DRIVERS SEAT IS NO LONGER STABLE. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN BUT WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER DUE TO THE MILEAGE. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE COMPANY. I INTEND TO SEND A LETTER TO THE COMPANY ALSO.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER TO BE INOPERATIVE. *JB
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH ON A MAIN HIGHWAY, SHE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE OWNER "VAN HAS DANGER" DUE TO THE DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR IS NOT ABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT REPEATED EXCESSIVE FORCE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOOR RELEASES ON ITS OWN . CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE DOOR , AND THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DRIVER SHOULDER BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM LOCKING MECHANISM, RESULTING IN SEAT BELT BEING CUT TO RELEASE CHILD OCCUPYING THE SEAT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
HEADRESTS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS HAD INSUFFICIENT PADDING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO GET A BUMP ON BACK OF HEAD WHEN INVOVLED IN A REAREND ACCIDENT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WATER IS LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHERE THE WIRES ARE STORED. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *AK
DRIVING 40MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE IN OVERDRIVE, SHIFTED TO DRIVE & VEHICLE SPUTTERED; TOOK TO DEALER & NOTICED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING; EXPERIENCED PROBLEM W/AIR CONDITIONER & TOLD NOTHING WRONG; MECHANIC DROVE & AIR CONDITIONER DID SHUT OFF; SAID WAS INSIDE OF PANEL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AFTER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY 02 V 286 000 WAS PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH HEARD A NOISE AND SAW THROUGH THE REAR MIRROR TREAD ON THE BACK. THEN STOPPED AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION.BUT, THE NEVER WENT FLAT. GENERAL TIRE P205/70 R15. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEED CONTROL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN TRAVELING OVER 55 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES , CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING 40MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE IN OVERDRIVE, SHIFTED TO DRIVE & VEHICLE SPUTTERED; TOOK TO DEALER & NOTICED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING; EXPERIENCED PROBLEM W/AIR CONDITIONER & TOLD NOTHING WRONG; MECHANIC DROVE & AIR CONDITIONER DID SHUT OFF; SAID WAS INSIDE OF PANEL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .