Most common 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv problems
Share of the 35 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Lumina Apv complaints by model year
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv recalls (1)
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
What 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Experienced intermittent of power steering, lost steering control of the vehicle. Replaced rack and pinion. 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 failed.
Windshield wipers malfunction, causing visibility problems, and May result in a vehicle crash. There is a recall for this problem, but the vehicle is not included in the recall although has the same problem due to VIN. Please provide further information.
Electrical system
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.
Experienced intermittent of power steering, lost steering control of the vehicle. Replaced rack and pinion. 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 failed.
Seats
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.
On the driver's seat a weld snapped and the drivers seat is no longer stable. The car can be driven but we were told it was not under warranty any longer due to the mileage. We feel that this is a manufacturers defect and it should be corrected by the company. I intend to send a letter to the company also.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Lumina Apv to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 9 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer › motor. Next are the electrical system (5) and seats (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv have?
There is 1 recall for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv, the most recent from November 4, 2002 (rack and pinion). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 109,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.