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1995 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 765 owner complaints for the 1995 Lumina/Monte Carlo, the most of any model year we compared[1]. It also has 8 recalls on file, so check the repair history of any car you consider[1].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 765 owner complaints for this model year[2]. Of those, 87 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 71 injuries and 7 deaths[2]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
The component groups with the most complaints are:
- Visibility: 145 complaints, 3 crashes, median mileage at failure 83,500[4]
- Brakes: 133 complaints, 27 crashes, 11 injuries[5]
- Engine: 92 complaints, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage 108,000[6]
- Power train: 89 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fire, median mileage 123,000[7]
- Electrical system: 56 complaints, 4 fires, 2 deaths[8]
- Suspension: 48 complaints, 6 crashes, median mileage 120,000[9]
- Air bags: 47 complaints, 39 crashes, 26 injuries, 2 deaths[10]
- Structure: 45 complaints, 5 injuries, 1 death[11]
In the small samples of complaint texts we read, owners describe these themes:
- Transmission. In 7 of 12 power train complaints we read, owners describe the transmission slipping into neutral, jumping out of gear, jerking, locking up or failing[7].
- Glass and wipers. In the visibility sample of 12, 6 describe side or rear window glass shattering while driving, though several of those texts repeat[4]. Another 3 describe wipers that do not clear rain or lift off the glass[4].
- Anti-lock brakes. In 7 of 12 brake complaints we read, owners mention the anti-lock system, including a pedal that goes to the floor[5].
- Stalling. In 4 of 12 engine complaints we read, owners describe stalling or a sudden loss of power[6]. Two describe a cracked intake manifold or gasket trouble[6].
These samples are small, so they show what owners describe and not how common a problem is. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[1]. Newest first:
- Center rear seat belt (98V306). The anchor plate can crack, so the belt could fracture in a crash and raise injury risk. Up to 111,470 vehicles[12]. Dealers replace the center rear seat belt system[12].
- Center rear seat belt (97V065). Same cracked anchor plate problem, with injury risk to the seat occupant. Up to 50,709 vehicles[13]. Dealers replace the center rear seat belt system[13].
- Wiper switch (97V017). A strained or separated power feed wire at the washer/wiper switch can make the wipers work on and off or stop. In bad weather that could cut visibility and raise crash risk. Up to 349,331 vehicles[14]. Dealers inspect and swap in a newly designed switch[14].
- Transmission cooler line (96V015). The oil cooler line can come apart in cold weather under heavy transmission load. Spilled fluid can start a fire. Up to 585,182 vehicles[15], built from August 1991 through July 1995[15]. Dealers replace the lines[15].
- Throttle return (95V214). A throttle cable bracket can touch the throttle lever, so the throttle may be slow to return and engine speed may not drop as the driver expects. Up to 6,772 vehicles[16]. Dealers replace the bracket[16].
- Brake pedal arm (95V048). A badly made pedal arm can break during braking. That can mean a loss of braking, longer stopping distance and crash risk. Up to 6,523 vehicles[17]. Dealers replace the suspect pedal assemblies[17].
- Steering column bolts (95V030). Four bracket bolts were under-tightened at the factory and could loosen or fall out, which risks loss of steering control. Up to 420 vehicles[18]. Dealers retorque the bolts[18].
- Lower ball joint (94V230). A mounting hole on the right-hand lower control arm was machined wrong, so the ball joint stud could fatigue and break while moving. That risks loss of steering control. Up to 221 vehicles[19]. Dealers replace the right-hand lower control arm and ball joint stud[19].
The recall facts do not say whether a given car was repaired. Ask for service records or a dealer check by VIN.
Fuel economy
EPA lists two engines for the Lumina/Monte Carlo, both automatic 4-speed, regular fuel and front-wheel drive:
| Engine | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl[3][20] | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | $3,350 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl[21] | 15 MPG | 24 MPG | 18 MPG | $3,700 |
EPA's fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings are listed as not rated for the Lumina, the Lumina APV and the Monte Carlo[22][23][24].
Engine and size
The engines are a 3.1L and a 3.4L six-cylinder[3][21]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 1995 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 765 | 8 |
| 1996 | 435 | 3 |
| 1997 | 512 | 1 |
| 1998 | 325 | 3 |
| 1999 | 231 | 3 |
| 2000 | 263 | 9 |
NHTSA's counts for each model year of this car are below[1].
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995[1] | 765 | 8 |
| 1996[1] | 435 | 3 |
| 1997[1] | 512 | 1 |
| 1998[1] | 325 | 3 |
| 1999[1] | 231 | 3 |
| 2000[1] | 263 | 9 |
1995 has the most complaints of these six years. For recalls, only 2000 has more, with 9[1]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, but they compare years of the same model.
Should you buy a used 1995 Lumina/Monte Carlo?
This model year has a heavy complaint record and a long recall list, so go in with care[2][1]. Ask whether the seat belt, wiper switch, transmission cooler line and brake pedal recalls were done[12][13][14][15][17]. Pay attention to how the transmission shifts, how the anti-lock brakes feel and whether the engine stalls, since owners describe these in the complaint samples we read[5][6][7]. Fuel economy is 20 MPG combined for the 3.1L and 18 for the 3.4L[3][21]. The facts we have cannot tell you the condition of any one car, so a pre-purchase inspection matters.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems on a 1995 Chevy Lumina?
- By complaint count, visibility leads with 145, then brakes with 133, engine with 92 and power train with 89[4][5][6][7].
- Does the 1995 Lumina/Monte Carlo have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls, covering seat belts, the wiper switch, the transmission cooler line, throttle return, the brake pedal arm, steering column bolts and a lower ball joint[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
- What gas mileage does a 1995 Lumina get?
- EPA rates the 3.1L at 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined MPG, and the 3.4L at 15, 24 and 18[3][21].
- Is 1995 a bad year for the Lumina/Monte Carlo?
- It has the most complaints (765) of the six model years listed, and 8 recalls against 9 for 2000[1].
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA has 765 owner complaints on file for the 1995 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo (87 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 71 injuries, 7 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 145 complaints name the visibility component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 133 complaints name the brakes component group (27 crashes, 1 fires, 11 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 92 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 89 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 123,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 56 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the suspension component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 47 complaints name the air bags component group (39 crashes, 0 fires, 26 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 98V306, filed December 1, 1998: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V065, filed April 18, 1997: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V017, filed February 11, 1997: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Switch / Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 96V015, filed January 23, 1996: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 95V214, filed November 3, 1995: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 95V048, filed March 20, 1995: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 95V030, filed February 27, 1995: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 94V230, filed November 21, 1994: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LUMINA 3DR VAN BASE/LS: length 191 in, width 74 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,391 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LUMINA 3DR VAN CARGO: length 191 in, width 74 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,391 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LUMINA 4DR SEDAN BASE/LS: length 201 in, width 72 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,336 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov