Model year guide

1996 Chevrolet Lumina

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Chevrolet Lumina at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints270
Combined18–21 mpg
Typical price$767

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina recalls 3

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum NHTSA Campaign #96V122000 · 01/07/1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OF THE FOUR BRAKE BOOSTER TABS NOT PROPERLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF DASH REINFORCEMENT ASSEMBLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BOOSTER INSTALLATION. BOOSTERS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED PROPERLY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #96V069000 · 19/04/1996

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Fix: 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 CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina common problems

Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,483

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$767
High
$1,200

From 6 comparable 1996 Chevrolet Lumina listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,415
Fuel only$17,415
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1996 Chevrolet Lumina trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · LS
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

1996 Chevrolet Lumina vehicles on record

1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M7T1142927 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M5T1140111 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52MXT9219419 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M4T1131593 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M5T9234085 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS2G1WN52M9T1152448 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS2G1WN52M3T1131322 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M8T1116868 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M2T1208882 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Base2G1WL52M7T9166906 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS2G1WN52M0T9237373

Other Chevrolet Lumina model years

2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995

1996 Chevrolet Lumina — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina?

Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina get?

The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina worth?

Comparable 1996 Chevrolet Lumina listings run roughly $500–$1,200, typically around $767 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.