The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,159,156 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING02V2860002002-11-041,159,156 affected
Defect
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…
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…
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
1fires
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
2
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
1fires
Total complaints40
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Loud tapping sound from engine when first started.*ak”
“The windshield wipers faileed intermittently. Dealer stated problem could not duplicated. *ak”
“Windshield wiper motor failure. Windshield wipers work intermittently and sometimes not at all ! *ak”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Apv as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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