MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chevrolet Lumina

● Typical for this model
1996 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Lumina Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 435 complaints 1990 1991: 358 complaints 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1996: 245 complaints 1996 1997: 347 complaints 1998: 223 complaints 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaints 2008
1996: 245 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19880
19890
1990435
1991358
1992345
1993247
1994130
1995494
1996245
1997347
1998223
1999103
200030
200121
20020
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20031008

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, AND INJURED THE DRIVER. THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. *MR *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030602

AIR BAGS, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED (NOTE THE CONSUMER WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT). *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960404

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19960418 — PE (closed 19960927)

INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

R 19960422 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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 INDENTATIO

Campaign 96V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960705 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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

Campaign 96V122000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960927 — EA (closed 19980213)

INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V069000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1999 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1990 ◆ 1991

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.