IllustrationDURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING . *AK
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lumina Apv years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 35 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
35 reportsCONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES. *AK
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
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.
THE HEADRESTS ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE DRIVER'S HEAD AND THEY ARE LOOSE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FOAM IN THE HEADREST. VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM REAR BY A TRUCK . DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED CAUSING BOTH BLADES TO SHUDDER AND STOP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. RECALL NOTICE NOT RECIEVED DUE TO VIN.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 40MPH AND NOTICED FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT SIDE DRIVING WHEEL . WHEN CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE SHE NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
SPARK PLUGS FAILED CAUSING STALLING WHEN FOOT RELEASED FROM GAS PEDAL.
ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT OPENS THE SIDE DOOR FAILED. OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE CD EXCHANGER, COURTESY LIGHTS AND DRIVER'S DOOR SWITCH.
Official recalls
102V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.