Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV sits mid-pack among Lumina APV years: 40 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 49, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.
Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (25% of the total).
40
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility & Wipers | 10 | 25% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 5 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 4 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 4 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“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”
It is close to typical for the Lumina APV: 40 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (10 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), seats (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lumina APV years to avoid are 1990, 1995, 1992, 1994, 1991. The cleanest record among Lumina APV years belongs to 1989.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.