1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
What could happen: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E021000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Summary: 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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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.…
The fix: 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 WITH…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V286000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Summary: 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.
Notes: GM RECALL NO. 02049. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (9), Seats (6), Electrical system (5), Engine (5), Brakes (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/27/2008 · Steering
MY CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING POWERSTEERING ISSUES. IT FREEZES UP WHILE TRYING TO TURN CORNERS. THIS CAR HAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE POWERSTEERING FLUID IS AT A GOOD LEVEL AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM. *TR
04/14/2007 · Latches / locks · fire
I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY VEHICLE, SO I PULLED OVER. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE VENT. MY FRIEND THOUGHT IT WAS ELECTICAL, SO HE STARTED PULLING FUSES TO STOP THE PROBLEM. I DISCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE MOTOR THAT OPENED AND CLOSED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER ON THE VAN. I TOLD MY FRIEND TO JUST GET OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY,…
03/26/2005 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL ! *AK
02/08/2005 · Electrical system · fire
LOUD TAPPING SOUND FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTED.*AK
11/26/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK
11/05/2004 · Steering
EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT OF POWER STEERING, LOST STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REPLACED RACK AND PINION. *BF 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. *NM
07/05/2004 · Engine
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
03/18/2004 · Engine
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 R…