1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv

Routine

Owners filed 35 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer › motor. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor4
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer3
000
Structure › Body › Door3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint2
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
010
Electrical System2
010
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

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.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

Steering › Rack and Pinion02V286000
Filed Nov 4, 20021,159,156 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › LatchFire
Filed Apr 14, 2007218,000 milesPA

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

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 26, 2005126,200 milesAR

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 8, 2005CA

LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 26, 200484,286 milesCA

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

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Nov 5, 2004FL

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jul 5, 200491,000 milesKY

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2004109,000 milesUT

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

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Oct 16, 2003130,000 milesMI

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

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Jul 6, 200388,320 milesWI

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist SystemCrash
Filed Apr 16, 2003WI

AFTER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY 02 V 286 000 WAS PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 19, 2003CA

THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER TO BE INOPERATIVE. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 25, 200370,000 milesAL

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.*JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 25, 2003AL

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY*JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Nov 12, 2002AZ

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

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Mar 12, 2001NJ

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 1, 2001DE

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 9, 2000MO

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. *YH

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 30, 2000FL

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

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Jun 9, 2000GA

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

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 3, 2000AR

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

20 of 35 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19993000Routine
19982000Routine
19971010Routine
1996 — this page35240Routine
1995104300Routine
199465490Routine
199345330Routine
199276220Routine
199147220Routine
199099420Routine

Compare every Lumina Apv year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 12, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.