1996 Chevrolet Lumina Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, and owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vacuum (service brakes)
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.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
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 indentation caused by the…
245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA; 24 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 36 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 105,048 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 37 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 sto”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 19, 2010 · Exterior lighting
“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 intermittentl”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 31, 2009 · Visibility
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15–18 / 24–26 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.1/3.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Lumina model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Lumina model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 Chevrolet Lumina | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 Chevrolet Lumina | 7 | 427 |
| 1991 Chevrolet Lumina | 3 | 352 |
| 1992 Chevrolet Lumina | 2 | 342 |
| 1993 Chevrolet Lumina | 1 | 243 |
| 1994 Chevrolet Lumina | 0 | 126 |
| 1995 Chevrolet Lumina | 6 | 492 |
| 1996 Chevrolet Lumina | 2 | 245 |
| 1997 Chevrolet Lumina | 1 | 347 |
| 1998 Chevrolet Lumina | 3 | 223 |
| 1999 Chevrolet Lumina | 2 | 103 |
| 2000 Chevrolet Lumina | 5 | 30 |
| 2001 Chevrolet Lumina | 3 | 21 |
| 2002 Chevrolet Lumina | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Lumina | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
How do I know if my 1996 Chevrolet Lumina has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 96V069000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.