1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 47 of 155 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 169 in 1995 to 155 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 24–26 | 15–18 / 24–26 | 15–18 / 24–26 | 16–17 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–494 | 423–494 | 423–494 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 169 | 155 | 164 | 100 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 27 | 14 | 14 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 10 | 10 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo?
Brakes: 47 of 155 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 47 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS · Campaign 01I014000 · Jan 7, 2002
Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Z34 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS IS REDUCED MORE THAN A DRIVER WOULD EXPECT.
Consequence: THE BRAKING COULD FEEL DELAYED MOMENTARILY WHEN LIGHT OR MODERATE FORCE IS APPLIED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS OR AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH.
Remedy: DEALER WILL MODIFY THE FRONT FENDER LINERS TO REMOVE A PORTION OF THE CLOSEOUT PANELS IN THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THIS SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST 2004.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · Campaign 96V122000 · Jul 8, 1996
Defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OF THE FOUR BRAKE BOOSTER TABS NOT PROPERLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF DASH REINFORCEMENT ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE PRESENT IN A SITUATION WHERE STOPPING DISTANCES WERE SMALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BOOSTER INSTALLATION. BOOSTERS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED PROPERLY.