1996 Chevrolet LUMINA APV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009256 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009285 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012056 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER TO BE INOPERATIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015949 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
AFTER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY 02 V 286 000 WAS PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025479 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 88,320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043013 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062492 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
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, …
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080366 · 2004-07-05 (July 5, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080366 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V286000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2002-11-04 (November 4, 2002)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗