Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV with NHTSA between 1997 and 2007.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Lumina APV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 90
17.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Chevrolet Lumina APV
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
337.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
337.5%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1997peak 4Apr 2007
Recalls on the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
02V286000
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2002199238,877 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997 may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary.
Recall 2000080200,580 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles. Correction: A letter will be sent to owners of affected vehicles with maintenance and inspection instructions for spare tire hoist cable assemblies. Additionally, the letter will advise the owner that, if the cable breaks during that inspection, their dealer will repair the assembly. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2002.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 218,000 milesErie, PAFire
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10187857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10110107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesClarkston, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10043013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fond DU LAC, WICrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AFTER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY 02 V 286 000 WAS PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MDCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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.
NHTSA complaint #837143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lubbock, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #829897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 218,000 milesErie, PAFire
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10187857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,200 milesNorth Little Rock, AR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL !
NHTSA complaint #10114808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #10110107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10099926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10099926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10099926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10099926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,286 milesCarmichael, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10101699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCrofton, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. WIFE AND MINOR CHILD STUCK ON THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE AT 9:30 PM.,WITH STRANDED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10080366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesWest Valley City, UT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10062492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesClarkston, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10043013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,320 milesGreen BAY, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10025479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fond DU LAC, WICrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AFTER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY 02 V 286 000 WAS PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER TO BE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10012056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesBirmingham, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10009256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinson, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY
NHTSA complaint #10009285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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
NHTSA complaint #8022568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pitman, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #882707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Felton, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #879621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shell Knob, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 20 MPH OR LESS IT MOMENTARILY LOSES BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS BEFORE RESTORING THEM. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE HAD BRAKE FAILURES REPEATDLY. ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #870088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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.
NHTSA complaint #869133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sharpsburg, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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.
NHTSA complaint #863314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Porthsmith, AR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #856185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abbyville, KS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING .
NHTSA complaint #848080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bullhead City, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES.
NHTSA complaint #845583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.