NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Chevrolet Lumina Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 245 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Chevrolet Lumina owner complaints

Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, describing incidents dated January 1, 1995 to November 8, 2008.

Most-cited components

Engine 35 complaints
Air Bags 34 complaints
Electrical System 30 complaints
Service Brakes 29 complaints
Power Train 22 complaints
Steering 19 complaints

Of the 245 complaints on file, 24 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 245 complaints, owners report 36 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10331179 · Filed May 19, 2010
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…
ODI #10263726 · Filed March 31, 2009
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…
ODI #10249534 · Filed November 21, 2008
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…

Read all 245 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA03-019: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed December 18, 2003
- Recall 03V-527
Recall Query RQ03-001: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed September 15, 2003
Engineering Analysis EA96-023: INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed February 13, 1998
Preliminary Evaluation PE96-031: INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed September 27, 1996

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum

NHTSA #96V122000 · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 3,591 vehicles

Owners notified July 5, 1996 · Vehicles built June 1, 1996 – June 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OF THE FOUR BRAKE BOOSTER TABS NOT PROPERLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF DASH REINFORCEMENT ASSEMBLY.

Safety consequence

IF THIS CONDITION WERE PRESENT IN A SITUATION WHERE STOPPING DISTANCES WERE SMALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BOOSTER INSTALLATION. BOOSTERS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED PROPERLY.

Notes

SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; POWER ASSIST; BOOSTER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY 1996. NOTE: 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

NHTSA #96V069000 · NHTSA notice

Reported April 19, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 43,213 vehicles

Owners notified April 22, 1996 · Vehicles built April 1, 1995 – October 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: 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 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

245 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10331179

Incident: December 1, 2004 · Filed: May 19, 2010

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Visibility

ODI #10263726

Incident: August 8, 1999 · Filed: March 31, 2009

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

ODI #10249534

Crash 1 injury

Incident: November 8, 2008 · Filed: November 21, 2008

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; Equipment

ODI #10229318

Incident: January 1, 2007 · Filed: May 30, 2008

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

ODI #10228936

Incident: March 11, 2007 · Filed: May 27, 2008

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 Bags

ODI #10216827

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: April 9, 2007 · Filed: February 4, 2008

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

ODI #10208693

Incident: November 11, 2007 · Filed: November 12, 2007

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

ODI #10206178

Incident: January 15, 2000 · Filed: October 18, 2007

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

ODI #10192391

Incident: June 1, 2007 · Filed: June 4, 2007

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

ODI #10191528

Incident: April 1, 2007 · Filed: May 23, 2007

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.

Other Chevrolet Lumina model years

Check your 1996 Chevrolet Lumina VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Lumina at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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