1990 Chevrolet Lumina Apv recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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 LONGE…
What could happen: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V058000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 1997. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.
What could happen: THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99I003000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: 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: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.
Consequence: THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.
Notes: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SPECIAL POLICY TO TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
What could happen: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
The fix: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V046000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Consequence: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
Remedy: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
Notes: SYSTEM: SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY; FMVSS 209.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS WITH GREY INTERIORS.
4. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
What could happen: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
The fix: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V164000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
Notes: SYSTEM: REAR SEAT ANCHORAGE / FMVSS 207VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (38), Seats (14), Brakes (13), Hydraulic (13), Steering (12).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/04/2008 · Wheels / tires
GOODYEAR REGATTA 2 TIRES WITH 23 THOUSAND MILES ARE BEGINNING TO LEAK AND SPLIT HALF WAY UP THE SIDEWALL OF BOTH FRONT TIRES FROM A RAISED AREA AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE INSIDE OF EACH TIRE. *TR
07/28/2004 · Body / structure
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 97V058000 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. *AK
02/06/2004 · Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO REAR SEATS. *AK
10/01/2003 · Body / structure
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY HE HEARD ALOUD BANG. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES NON STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE AND RACK AND PINION TO COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND. *AK *NLM
07/09/2003 · Body / structure
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL 97V05800 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT GIVING A REASON.*AK
07/09/2003 · Body / structure
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 97V058000 FOR THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT REASON.*AK
02/05/2003 · Steering
REAR CRADLE BOLT ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS PULLING THROUGH THE RETAINER AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL. RELATED RECALL 97V058000. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY ARE NO LONGER HONORING IT. PH
09/28/2002 · Body / structure
THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS SNAPPED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRADLE BOLTS WERE ON RECALL FOR RUSTING AND BREAKING IN OTHER STATES BUT NOT IN THE CONSUMER'S STATE. *YH