1991 Chevrolet Lumina Apv recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 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 1991 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 1991 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (16), Latches / locks (6), Brakes (6), Hydraulic (6), Seats (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/28/2010 · Body / structure · crash
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
07/09/2010 · Body / 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.…
07/26/2007 · Engine
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 W…
05/02/2006 · Latches / locks
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 AG…
04/28/2003 · Body / structure
THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND PULLED THROUGH THE FRAME. *JB *TS
08/05/2002 · Body / 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
03/21/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain · fire
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 I…
03/15/2002 · Electrical system
AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED SMOKING, IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK