Model year record

1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV recalls & problems

The 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV has 1 safety recall and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (16 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints47filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureApr 8, 1997

Structure

Recall 97V058000676,535 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Lumina/APV Minivan 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	16	1	0	0	143,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock	8	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Foundation components	6	1	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust	5	3	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	5	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	4	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	4	0	2	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	2	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Carrier/rack	2	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	1	1	0	0	—
Suspension	1	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and membersCrash
1991 CHEVY LUMINA APV,WHILE DRIVING OVER NOT SO SMOOTH WISCONSIN STREETS THE FRAME RETAINER ROTTED OFF OF THE MOUNTING BOLT CAUSING THE FRAME RAIL TO DROP DOWN OVER 4 INCHES CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THIS POINT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. GM HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THIS HOWEVER THEY REFUSE TO HONOR IT. *TR
Jul 24, 2010 · 131,000 miles
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN AROUND WITH NO RESISTANCE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V189000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000.
Jun 30, 2010 · 143,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO DISCONNECT. AS OF JULY 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ
Jul 18, 2007 · 168,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONLY THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER DOOR AND LIFT GATE FAILED FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLES WILL PULL UP HOWEVER THE LOCK WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 05/30/06 ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO THE DRIVER'S DOOR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. CONTACT HAS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SLIDING DOORS. *TT
May 2, 2006 · 206,000 miles
Structure
THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND PULLED THROUGH THE FRAME. *JB *TS
Apr 28, 2003
Structure
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE CRADLE BOLT RETAINERS BROKE OFF AND RELEASED TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER ,WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Aug 5, 2002
Electrical system › IgnitionFire
I TOOK MY VAN TO THE SHOP FOR A TRANSMISSION LEAK, SHOP MAN TOOK THE VAN INSIDE TURNED OFF THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN HIS HANDS THE VAN WAS SMOKING AND THE STARTER WAS TURNING THE ENGINE WITHOUT THE KEYS INSIDE , THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BURNING AND THE CONNECTORS . NOW THERE IS TWO OTHER LUMINA VAN THAT HAD ELECTRICAL FIRE BUT THERE WAS NO ONE TO STOP IT SO IT COUGHT ON FIRE. THAT IS ONLY THE TWO VAN THAT HAD THE SAME THING .NOW THERE ARE TWO LUMINA VAN THAT ELECTRICALS IN HIS HANDS. *AK
Mar 18, 2002
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED SMOKING, IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Mar 14, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 00V189000
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001
CRADLE BOLT FAILURESOpenLed to recall 97V058000
There is no summary currently available
RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEClosedLed to recall 99I003000
ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT
EA97019 · opened Sep 30, 1997 · closed Jun 8, 1999
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEClosed
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.
PE97016 · opened Apr 7, 1997 · closed Sep 30, 1997
BROKEN/LEAKING BRAKE HOSESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94064 · opened Aug 18, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994
WHEEL FAILURESClosedLed to recall 94V041001
There is no summary currently available
PE93085 · opened Sep 29, 1993 · closed Feb 28, 1994
APV FUEL LINE FIRESClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92035 · opened Oct 30, 1992 · closed Nov 30, 1993