36 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
Most common 1996 Chevrolet Lumina problems
33 of the 245 complaints (13%) are about the airbags.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags
17
9
0
14
Air Bags · airbags
16
3
0
9
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission
14
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes
10
3
0
3
Unknown or Other
8
1
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine
8
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine
8
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine
7
0
0
0
Electrical System › Horn
6
0
0
0
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
6
0
0
0
3 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum96V122000
Defect. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed May 19, 201090,000 milesWA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A RECURRING FAILURE WITHIN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WHICH WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 308,000.
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 31, 200922,000 milesNC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE EGR VALVES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MECHANISM WAS INOPERATIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000. UPDATED 04/24/09. *LJ THE EGR VALVES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB
Suspension › RearCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 21, 200899,000 milesNC
IN AUGUST 2008 I PURCHASED A CLEAN WHITE 1996 CHEVY LUMINA WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THE DASH. IT SEEMED TO BE RUNNING PRETTY WELL AT FIRST BUT I NOTICED THE CAR HAD A LITTLE SKIP EVERY NOW AND THEN IN DEEP CURVES. THEN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2008 THE FRONT LEFT AXLE BROKE A LOOSE FROM THE MAIN PORT AS I WAS LEAVING MY YARD WHICH WAS STRANGE AND UNCOMMON. ON NOVEMBER 8, 2008 A LICENSED MECHANIC WAS HIRED AND FIXED THE BROKEN AXLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN AND SEEMED TO BE RUNNING AS GOOD AS NEW. LATER ON THAT NIGHT WHILE MY SON WAS GOING THROUGH A CURVE THE CAR LOSS CONTROL AND STARTED FISHTAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CURVE. AS HE WAS STRAIGHTENING THE CAR BACK OUT INTO HIS LANE SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED IN THE REAR AND SENT THE CAR SPINNING SIDEWAYS AND OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR STOPPED ITSELF AFTER RUNNING IN A DITCH AND SMASHING IT'S SIDE INTO AN EMBANKMENT INJURING HIM AND TOTALING THE CAR. REAR RIGHT SIDE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF FROM WHERE TRACTION BAR BROKE. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 30, 2008221,878 milesSC
I LOVE MY CAR BUT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN GOING OUT FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE PERSON WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HE KNEW OF THIS SITUATION AND HE DIDN'T TELL ME. THIS CAR IS MY FIRST CAR AND MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO CAN YOU ALL PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 27, 2008180,000 milesMS
OIL LEAK 1996 3.4 DOHC CHEVY LUMINA I DID MY RESEARCH THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THEN ITS COSTS A PRETTY GOOD PENNY TO FIX BY THE DEALERSHIP LIKE $2000. *TR
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 4, 2008SD
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND CAME UP TO A INTERSECTION WHERE I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE OTHER PERSON HAD A STOP SIGN. THIS PERSON THOUGHT THAT I HAD A STOP SIGN ALSO SO SHE PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND I SMASHED INTO HER MAKING HER TRUCK FLY ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND FLIPPING OVER. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BECAUSE OF THAT I FEEL THAT I WAS INJURED MORE THAN IF MY AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 12, 2007115,000 milesMO
PURCHASED 1996 CHEVY LUMINA W/3.1 LITER ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND CURRENTLY HAS 115,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE CAMSHAFT HAS BROKEN. WHY WOULD A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM? IT SEEMS AN EXTREME PROBLEM FOR A WELL-CARED FOR VEHICLE. THIS WAS A FORMER POLICE VEHICLE (FIRST 96,000 MILES). MY SON'S GIRLFRIEND ALSO OWNS A LUMINA (1999, NO VIN AVAILABLE) AND SHE TOO HAS HAD THE CAMSHAFT REPLACED IN HER VEHICLE AT 170,000. *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 18, 2007NJ
EXTERIOR PAINT , PEELING , FLAKING , RUSTING . I REALIZE THIS CAR IS NOW 11 YEARS OLD , BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD . THE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF IN LARGE PATCHES IN MANY AREAS OF THE CAR , REVEALING THE DULL GRAY PRIMER . *JB
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jun 4, 2007180,000 milesMN
BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS WORK ON 1996 LUMINA DUE TO FAULTY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, I'VE NOTICE THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER 1995 -2001 LUMINAS AS WELL. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed May 23, 2007115,000 milesVA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAS THREE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE LOWER TWO LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN HE CHANGED THE BULBS, THEY ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY AND THEN QUICKLY BURNED OUT AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 18, 2007OH
THE PAINT JOB IS HORRIBLE. THE PAINT IS COMPLETELY PEELING OFF OF MY LUMINA. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 23, 2006143,000 milesOH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE NON SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE TOP OF THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 6, 2006129,000 milesIN
I TURNED ON MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAD FOUR FRIENDS IN THE CAR. I WAITED FOR MY FRIENDS TO GET SITUATED IN THE CAR AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CAR DID NOT ROLL BACK AS IT NORMALLY DID WHEN IN GEAR. SUDDENLY, THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARD AND STARTING ACCELERATING TOWARD A CONCRETE WALL THAT WAS ABOUT 45 FEET BEHIND US. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. NOTHING HAPPENED, SO I QUICKLY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, JUST IN CASE I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TOWARDS THE WALL. I REMEMBER PICKING UP BOTH MY FEET JUST TO MAKE SURE I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE PEDALS. WE HIT THE WALL GOING ABOUT 25-30 MPH. FOUR OF US WERE FINE, BUT MY FRIEND IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BROKE HER CHEEKBONE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYONE WILLING TO INSPECT THE CAR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CAR WAS SALVAGED FOR PARTS. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 200658,000 milesMO
1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA, BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING EXCEPT FOR IN THE REAR WINDOW. IF THAT BULB WERE TO BURN OUT, I WOULD HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS AT ALL. I HAVE DISCOVERED, AND I AM SURE, THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN CORRECTED? *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2006WI
THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AROUND 100K MILES AND GETTING WORSE EVER SINCE. THE PISTON PIN IS GOING BAD. I FOUND OUT THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY A CERTIFIED GM TECHNICIAN. HE TOLD ME THAT ALL 3.1L ENGINES HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND GM WONT FIX IT. I FEEL SHAFTED AND WILL NEVER BY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. *NM
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 4, 2006MI
THE CHEVROLET LUMINA, 1996; POOR PAINT JOB. THE PAINT LASTS APPROXIMATELY FOUR (4) YEARS AND THEN IT STARTS TO CHIP AND PEEL OFF. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 14, 200652,091 milesWI
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING ON A HIGHWAY, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HEAD GASKET BLEW, MIXING THE OIL WITH THE WATER, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO NEED REPLACING. I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $2680.07. WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 6 YEARS 50 THOUSAND MILES, THE MOTOR BLEW AT 6.5 YEARS AND 52,091 MILES. NOTHING WAS DONE TO HELP ME THE CONSUMER. I CALLED THE DEALER( BURTNESS CHEVY,303 E.BELOIT ST. ORFORDVILLE,WI.53576), AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT TRADING IN THE CAR BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THEN I CALLED GM(CENTRAL OFFICE P.O.BOX 33170, DETROIT, MI.48232-5170)AND THEY SAID A WARRANTY IS A WARRANTY. I JUST NOW CAME ACROSS YOUR WEB SIGHT, AND I FEEL I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HOPE THEY CAN COME UP WITH A BETTER REASON IN THE FUTURE FOR OTHER CONSUMERS. THANKS YOU, CHERYL PHILLIPS. *JB
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 28, 2005NC
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRAME CAME OUT AROUND THE BOLTS. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND AND THE STEERING TO PULL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSE TO SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM
Tires
Filed Dec 22, 2005OH
1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND DOOR (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Dec 8, 2005IL
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN CHEVROLET LUMINA CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT WORK. (EXCEPT 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. FOR WHATEVER REASON THE MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS GO THROUGH THAT SWITCH. THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH IS CAUSING THEM NOT TO WORK. THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE IT'S NOT WIRED THROUGH THAT SWITCH. I KNOW SWITCHES GO BAD, BUT THIS SWITCH HAS WENT BAD ON A LOT OF VEHICLES CAUSING NO MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Dec 5, 2005112,000 milesMD
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRAYED. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CABLE WAS FRAYED AND UNRAVELING. THE MECHANIC WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES. THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING THREE WEEKS FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PART. CURRENTLY, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 17, 2005TX
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, BUT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. SHE IS AFRAID THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN IT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND PRIOR TO THE SLIDING DOOR FALLING OFF ITS HINGES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER HE THOUGHT THE WINDSHIELD/WIPER MOTOR WAS BAD.*AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 13, 200516,000 milesCT
THE INTAKE GASKET ROTTED. THEREFORE, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE OIL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 17, 200584,000 milesAR
ON 7/20/03 THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN MY 1996 CHEVROLET. LUMINA. UPON STARTING THE CAR, WHILE STILL IN PARK, THE GAS PEDAL PULLED TO THE FLOORBOARD & THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRAKES FAILED. WHILE DODGING PEOPLE, HOMES, AND VEHICLES, I TRIED STOPPING THE CAR BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION TO CUT POWER TO THE MOTOR BUT THIS ONLY OPENED THE THROTTLE. THE LAST THING I REMEMBER WAS A LOUD WHINE, SCREAMING & BLACKING OUT. I AWOKE FROM A CONCUSSION CRASHED INTO A TREE WITH FACIAL, BRAIN, AND SPINAL INJURIES. GM INVESTIGATED AND STATED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT RELEASE THE INVESTIGATION REPORT TO ME. I CANNOT FIND AN ATTORNEY TO SUE THEM. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER PRIOR TO THE BATTERY BEING CHANGED CORRECTLY. THE 2004 OLDS ALERO WAS RECALLED FOR A STICKING ACCELERATOR. THE MPH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR, 0 (ZERO); WHEN THE CAR PLOWED INTO THE TREE SPLATTERING ME INTO THE WINDSHIELD HEAD FIRST LIKE A BUG, 60+ ESTIMATED BY WITNESSES. INSURANCE TOTALED THE CAR & SOLD TO SALVAGE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE HOLDING IT FOR ME WHILE UNDERGOING EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT. I TRACKED DOWN THE SALVAGE YARD FOR GM AND AN INVESTIGATOR EXAMINED THE CAR BUT WILL NOT TELL ME WHAT HE FOUND OUT. *JB
Tires
Filed Sep 9, 200570,000 milesNY
DT: HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER HAD DRY ROT, AND SHOULD CHANGE THE TIRES. THEY ARE 70,000 MILES ON THRE TIRES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN USED FOR 3 YEARS AND 28,000 MILES. YOKOHAMA TIRES.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 6, 2005230,000 milesKY
DT: CONSUMER SAYS VEHICLE GETS HOT AND IMMEDIATELY STALLS. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ENGINE ONCE BEFORE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY, AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALLS TO THE DEALER. ENGINE IN VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BAD AND IS COSTLY TO REPLACE. *TT
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed May 19, 2005KY
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 CHEVY LUMINA. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THEY WILL WORK AND SOMETIME THEY WILL NOT. SHE HAS ALSO NOTICED THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER LUMINAS. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT SHE HAS CHANGED THE BULBS ON THE BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND SHE STILL NOTICES THIS PROBLEM FROM TIME TO TIME. *JB
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed May 13, 2005MN
DT: THE BRAKES LIGHT ONLY WORKED EVERY NOW AND THEN, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER LUMINAS. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BULBS AND FUSE HAVE BEEN CHECKED. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Apr 21, 2005DC
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER,THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VACUUM HOSE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 29, 2005ME
MY DAUGHTER BROUGHT A USED 1996 LUMINA.SHE DROVE IT ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP. SHE LOST HEAT AND CAR WOULD GO TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. WHEN SHE GOT IT CHECKED SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE GASGET WAS SHOT. THIS ALLOWED THE ANTIFREEZE GO INTO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT THE SELLER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN SHE PAID FOR IT TO REPAIR IT. SO WE ARE VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE CAR. I WOULD NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN AS I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON THINK IN LUMINAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS RUNNING.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2005MD
CAR SEEMED TO BE OVERHEATING AND RUNNING OUT OF ANTIFREEZE MUCH TOO OFTEN. TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME MY ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO MY OIL, AND THAT MY HEAD GASKETS WERE CRACKED AND LEAKING. WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE, OR THE PROBLEM WOULD JUST KEEP OCCURRING. *JB
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Oct 15, 2004139,318 milesKY
MY CHEVROLET LUMINA REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICHLE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT NO INJURIES.*AK
Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Sep 29, 2004168,000 milesAR
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE BELTWAY VEHICLE'S SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST HIM $1400.00 TO REPAIR IT. *AK
Air Bags
Filed Sep 14, 2004IN
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *NM *SC *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 14, 2004146,000 milesOH
AT LOW SPEED THE STEERING LOCKS. IF FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF.
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Sep 7, 2004150,000 milesWV
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 2, 2004VA
A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE DOOR PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHOCKS ON BOTH DRIVER 'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 31, 2004150,000 milesWV
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH VEHICLE DROVE OVER A PIPE IN THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. PASSENGER'S SIDE SHATTERED THE WINDOW, SENDING GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE ARM AND NECK. *AK
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 20, 2004IN
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *MR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS WELL. *SC *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 11, 200410,000 milesCT
WATER LEAKED INTO THE CRANK CASE BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND. *AK
Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Jul 6, 2004IN
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *NLM *SC *JB
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed May 8, 2004127,000 milesNE
NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CAUSES MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH TO FAIL. THIS CAUSES SAFETY PROBLEMS. A SMALL TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, AND SLAMMED HIS BRAKES ON BEHIND ME. HE THEN PULLED NEXT TO ME AND TOLD ME MY TWO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE THIRD (TOP) ONE DOES. ALSO, REAR TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. RIGHT SIGNAL WORKS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT SWITCH WILL NOT SIGNAL A LEFT TURN. ALL BULBS ARE FINE. IN RESEARCHING JUST IN A COUPLE HOURS, I FOUND ABOUT 40 OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACEMENT IS THE REPAIR MOST REPORTS CITE AS WORKING. THE REPAIR IS COSTLY, REQUIRING DISASSEMBLY OF STEERING COLUMN.*AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 5, 200470,000 milesMI
UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE LOW TRACK AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON . WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED THEMSELVES. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 14 MILES. *JB
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 22, 200430,000 milesPA
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT AT 5 MPH, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, AND GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED CUTS ARMS AND FACE. *AK
Air Bags
Filed Mar 17, 2004AZ
CONSUMER REQUESTING FOR AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH. *LA *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 5, 2004120,000 milesKS
I JUST PAID OVER $700 TO HAVE A MECHANIC REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MY CAR AND ENGINE TYPE. THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THIS, OR WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE TO BE COMPENSATED. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 9, 200450,000 milesNC
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING GEARS IN COLD WEATHER. *AK
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 24, 2004FL
PAINT PEELING FROM CAR IN SEVERAL VERY LARGE AREAS. ONE SPOT NEARLY ALL OF RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL IS NOW GONE. A LOCAL MECHANIC., AND TWO LOCAL BODY MEN AGREE THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPAINTED. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER NEW "DEMONSTRATOR" BUT WAS TOLD IT HAD NEVER BEEN WRECKED. BUT KNOW SEVERAL FAMILIES AROUND HERE WITH 96 MODELS, ALL ARE PEELING. THE SAME WITH MY AND EVERY OTHER 85 MODEL GREY CHEVY. WHAT CAN WE DO? *LA
Seat Belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004CO
PAINT IS PEELING OFF OFF MY LUMINA CAR NO UNDER COAT UNDER PAINT. REAR SEAT BELT KEEPS COMING LOOSE.
Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 15, 2004102,000 milesAR
ON 7/20/03 THE BATTERY WAS GETTING WEAK SO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAR. ON THE FIRST START WITH THE NEW BATTERY THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I STARTED IT THE SECOND TIME AND WAS BACKING UP A SLIGHT SLOPE OF A DRIVEWAY, THE CAR DIED. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR. WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT, THE GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE CAR RACED FORWARD WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STILL IN PARK. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I STEERED THE CAR TRYING TO LOCATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BUT THEY WERE TOO FAR AWAY FOR ME TO REACH AND STILL MAINTAIN THE RACING CAR. I THOUGHT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WOULD STOP THE CAR SINCE THE BRAKES HAS FAILED BUT EVEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, IT RACED EVEN FASTER AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HAD CRASHED INTO A TREE TOTALLING OUT THE CAR. I CRACKED MY HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD BREAKING MY NOSE. LUCKILY, THE VISOR WAS DOWN AND PROTECTED MY FACE. I ALSO SUSTAINED BRUISING AND BACK INJURIES ALONG WITH THE CONCUSSION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THANKFULLY, AS I AM SHORT AND IF IT HAD, THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN DECAPITATED OR KILLED FROM IT. MY INSURANCE ONLY GAVE BLUE BOOK VALUE TO THE CAR AS IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HAD TO BE TOTALLED. I AM WANTING TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. IS THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM ON THE LUMINA'S? I FEEL IT WAS COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT SHUT DOWN THE CAR MADE IT BEHAVE LIKE IT WAS POSSESS. NO LIGHTS CAME ON INSIDE THE CAR TO INDI
Complaints 1-50 of 245, newest first, reproduced as filed.
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.