Chevrolet Lumina 1996 - Service brakes - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Chevrolet Lumina 1996

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
96V069000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 04/01/1995 to 10/01/1995	V (Vehicle)	43213	04/22/1996	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	04/19/1996	04/22/1996
Defect Summary	The left front brake line can contact the transaxle mounting bracket or attachment bolt.
Consequence Summary	This condition can cause the brake line to wear through, resulting in loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of one-half of the vehicle's brake system, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Corrective Summary	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.
Notes	System: brakes; hydraulic; lines.vehicle description: passenger vehicles. note: 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 or buick at 1-800-521-7300. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
96V122000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 06/01/1996 to 06/01/1996	V (Vehicle)	3591	07/05/1996	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	07/01/1996	07/08/1996
Defect Summary	These vehicles were assembled with one of the four brake booster tabs not properly located in the front of dash reinforcement assembly.
Consequence Summary	If this condition were present in a situation where stopping distances were small, a vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect for proper booster installation. boosters found to be improperly located will be removed and reinstalled properly.
Notes	System: brakes; hydraulic; power assist; booster. vehicle description: passenger vehicles. owner notification: owner notification is expected to begin in july 1996. note: 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. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
4615		10023171	Abs pump running when not needed. *nj	10/31/2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
970801735026	08/01/1997	54419	Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc	04/07/1998

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - PADS
06/10/1996		1
	Failure on the brake shoes and pads of the vehicle, consumer was driving and the brakes failed. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
07/15/2003	102000
	On 7/20/03 the battery was getting weak so i bought a new battery compatible with the car. on the first start with the new battery the car behaved normally. however, when i started it the second time and was backing up a slight slope of a driveway, the car died. i put the car back in park and restarted the car. without touching the gas pedal with my foot, the gas pedal dropped to the floorboard and the car raced forward with the gear shift still in park. the brakes would not work. i steered the car trying to locate the emergency brakes but they were too far away for me to reach and still maintain the racing car. i thought turning off the engine would stop the car since the brakes has failed but even turning off the engine, it raced even faster and the next thing i knew i had crashed into a tree totalling out the car. i cracked my head into the windshield breaking my nose. luckily, the visor was down and protected my face. i also sustained bruising and back injuries along with the concussion. also, the air bag did not activate. thankfully, as i am short and if it had, then i would have been decapitated or killed from it. my insurance only gave blue book value to the car as it was unrepairable and had to be totalled. i am wanting to seek legal action against the manufacturer. is there any class action lawsuits regarding this problem on the lumina's? i feel it was computer problem that shut down the car made it behave like it was possess. no lights came on inside the car to indicate there was a computer problem or any other problem. there is only one way to put in a battery so it could not have been the battery. debra k. oliver
04/03/2004	70000	2
	Upon depression of the brake pedal while coming to a stop, the low track and the abs light came on . when this occurred the vehicle lost brake power. this resulted in extended stopping distance. the vehicle coasted to a stop. the consumer then put the vehicle in park and turned it off. upon restarting the vehicle the brakes re-engaged themselves. the failure recurred within 14 miles. *jb
04/25/2003	82000	1	10/21/2001
	When you start the car in the morning, and backup the brakes make a humming sound- then work fine. *nlm
05/26/1998			05/26/1998
	Brakes squeal when applied.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
12/10/1999		2
	Antilock brakes failed, consumer hit the pedal and it went to the floor. *slc
09/06/2000		2	05/01/2000
	Also having problems with brake systems. *ak

	Brakes keep failing prematurely. rotors and calipers have been replaced 3 times, and brake pads replaced 4 times within a 1 1/2 yr. dealer could not determine cause. *ak
04/06/2000		0
	While driving stepped on brake pedal and brakes wiould make noise. noise increased when it was raining or during extended stopping distance. *ak
08/08/1999		8	08/01/1998
	I took car back several time where i purchased it they said everything ok. still having problem i took car to brake centers of america in stfd, ct. i still have same problems paid almost $600.oo for complete brake job and i still have problems and they are getting worse. i sent letter to brake center and to better business bureau back in 12/1999 and have not heard from anyone mean while brakes are getting worse - thank you. *ak
			05/01/1997
	Since i bought the car in may of 1997, i have had to have the front brakes repaired or replaced four times. the first time was two weeks after i bought the car, i took it in to the dealer, because the brake fluid kept leaking, and the front disc pulled. they told me that this was a recall problem, and they claimed to fix it. nine months later i had to have the the front brakes replaced, and the rear brakes adjusted, due to pulling and squeaking, (at sears auto center). later in october of 1998, i had to replace front discs again. this was when i took my car in for its 60000 mile service. the mechanic at kauffman tire in hiram, ga showed me the wear on the pads and brakes, they replaced the pads and machined the rotors. in june of 1999, the brakes started squeaking again, and it was pulling to the left. i had the brakes fixed at mid-state motors, in manchester, tn, and they worked fine until about mid-february 2000. now when i pressed the brake pedal, it vibrated violently. i feel that the brakes are wearing and going bad much sooner than they should. *ak

	When brake pedal is applied there is a clicking sound, then brakes release and vehicle will continue to roll with the brake pedal going to the floor. dealer has been contacted. *ak
		2	03/01/1996
	Anti lock brakes failed.

	While applying abs brakes pedal goes to the floor. diagnostic test was done on brake system and no problem was found. vehicle has an extreme exteneded stopping distance. *ak
		4	11/01/1995
	Sloan chevrolet has had vehicle four times attempting to resolve low pedal. brake rotors were cut which did raise the pedal slightly; brake system was bled. *ak
06/10/1997
	When applying the abs brakes on dry pavement at 20 mph the pedal traveled to the floor, causing extended stopping distance, resulting in a rear end collision. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
07/29/1996		1	10/31/1995
	Computer/brakes failed, causing three warning lights to illuminate on the dash, as well as an accident.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
		2	03/01/1996
	Anti lock brake light failed.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
		1	07/26/1996
	Burning odor when brakes are applied.
08/05/1996		4	03/29/1996
	Brakes continually failing to engage almost resulting in collision on several occasions.
03/29/1997		1	03/29/1997
	Since ownership consumer has experienced braking problems, not engaging properly.
03/01/1996
	When starting the vehicle a grinding noise comes when pressing the braking system at all times and the pedal, causing extended stopping distance which can cause an accident. *ak
05/16/1996		3	05/16/1996
	In wet and dry weather the brakes don't stop car, it slows it down . ak consumer states vehicle glides to a stop. starter makes strange noise. mounting bolt missing from radio causing rattling noise. door lock assembly works improperly. window sticking, dealer adjusted upper door and window moldings along track. slc
03/14/1995
	Experiencing noise, burning smell and brake fluid leak; causes jerking/locking feeling on occasion. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC

	Brakes keep failing prematurely. rotors and calipers have been replaced 3 times, and brake pads replaced 4 times within a 1 1/2 yr. dealer could not determine cause. *ak
			05/01/1997
	Since i bought the car in may of 1997, i have had to have the front brakes repaired or replaced four times. the first time was two weeks after i bought the car, i took it in to the dealer, because the brake fluid kept leaking, and the front disc pulled. they told me that this was a recall problem, and they claimed to fix it. nine months later i had to have the the front brakes replaced, and the rear brakes adjusted, due to pulling and squeaking, (at sears auto center). later in october of 1998, i had to replace front discs again. this was when i took my car in for its 60000 mile service. the mechanic at kauffman tire in hiram, ga showed me the wear on the pads and brakes, they replaced the pads and machined the rotors. in june of 1999, the brakes started squeaking again, and it was pulling to the left. i had the brakes fixed at mid-state motors, in manchester, tn, and they worked fine until about mid-february 2000. now when i pressed the brake pedal, it vibrated violently. i feel that the brakes are wearing and going bad much sooner than they should. *ak
10/01/1996		1	08/01/1996
	Front brakes defective.

	When making sudden or normal stop consumer noticed that the front brakes are burning, causing a very bad odor and excessive front brake wear. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
07/01/1996		1	05/01/1996
	Brake pads wear excessively.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
05/18/1999		1	05/18/1997
	Dealer told consumer to throw away front wheel rotors because the were too thin to grind. nlm
11/01/1999		2	04/01/1996
	Braking system malfunctioned due to rotors being corroded which cause extended stopping distance. rotors resurfaced, but problem still reocurred. ak ml
06/01/1999		2	05/01/1997
	State safety inspection mechanic noted that both front brake rotors were deeply rusted and/or pitted and should be inspected by a gm service center. the service representative at dagley chevrolet geo informed that both front brake rotors were rusted and pitted so deep that they could not be re-surfaced, they need to be replaced and the replacement would not be covered by gm. i looked at the rotors myself and find that the inside brake rotor friction surfaces are rusted or pitted away, aprox. 1/3 or less of the front inside brake pads are actualy making contact with the rotor surface. in my opinion, this results in a very significant loss of braking efficency.
06/01/1999		2	05/01/1997
	State safety inspection mechanic noted that both front brake rotors were deeply rusted and/or pitted and should be inspected by a gm service center. the service representative at dagley chevrolet geo informed that both front brake rotors were rusted and pitted so deep that they could not be re-surfaced, they need to be replaced and the replacement would not be covered by gm. i looked at the rotors myself and found that the inside brake rotor friction surfaces are rusted or pitted away, aprox. 1/3 or less of the front inside brake pads are actualy making contact with the rotor surface. in my opinion, this results in a very significant loss of braking efficiency. *ak
		4	11/01/1995
	Sloan chevrolet has had vehicle four times attempting to resolve low pedal. brake rotors were cut which did raise the pedal slightly; brake system was bled. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
		50	03/01/1997
	Brakes occationally require excess distance for stopping. brakes squeal, loudest at begining of day and when damp or humid, worst in rear. (mechanics say 'all 4 wheels are fine')
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
06/10/1996		1
	Failure on the brake shoes and pads of the vehicle, consumer was driving and the brakes failed. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
			06/06/1998
	Have a knocking or clicking on both rear tires while driving at slow speeds, lees than 10mph the noise happens in forward or reverse. another problem is the brake pedal feels very spongy while braking, however the car has been stopping when needed to. it just seems odd to have to push the pedal so far down toward the floor, and still fell mushy.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT
04/01/2007	115000	1	03/25/1997
	Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet lumina. the contact's vehicle has three rear brake lights. the lower two lights fail to illuminate. when he changed the bulbs, they illuminated briefly and then quickly burned out again. the current mileage is 135,000 and failure mileage was 115,000.