MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chevrolet Lumina

● Typical for this model
1996 Chevrolet Lumina
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
245
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 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 245 1997: 347 complaints 1998: 223 complaints 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaint
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1996 245 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 435 complaints 1990 1991: 358 complaints 1991 1992: 345 complaints 1992 1993: 247 complaints 1993 1994: 130 complaints 1994 1995: 494 complaints 1995 1996: 245 complaints 1996 245 1997: 347 complaints 1997 1998: 223 complaints 1998 1999: 103 complaints 1999 2000: 30 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2008: 1 complaint 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% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH

Service brakes

15% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

14% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-08

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-02

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-04

Electrical system

13% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing horn and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

10% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1996-04-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-27 Inappropriate air bag deployment
  2. R
    1996-04-22Service brakes, hydraulic96V069000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1996-07-05Service brakes, hydraulic96V122000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1996-09-27Engineering analysisClosed 1998-02-13 Inappropriate air bag deployment
  5. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  6. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  7. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Chevrolet Lumina — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V069000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V122000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.