1992 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. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
What could happen: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The fix: OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
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 1992 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V027000.
- 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:REAR/OTHER
Summary: VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT BELTS; LAP; REAR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SIX AND SEVEN PASSENGER VANS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-222-1020; PONTIAC SERVICE CENTER AT1-800-762-2737; AND OLDSMOBILE SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
What could happen: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
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 1992 LUMINA APV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V015000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION; AUTOMATIC; COOLING UNIT AND LINES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS WITH 3.8L ENGINE AND 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH L27 OR L67 ENGINE AND 4T60E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (29), Hydraulic (27), Seat belts (18), Seats (13), Body / structure (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/19/2007 · Body / structure
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE (1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV) , THE TWO REAR CRADLE BOLTS OF THE FRAME PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. THE REAR CRADLE WAS NO LONGER SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND, AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS RIPPED OFF WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING FROM SAME.…
08/16/2006 · Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL ROADWAY, THE STEERING COUPLER OF THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STEERING COUPLER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
01/15/2004 · Brakes
THE ABS FREQUENCY IS EXTREMELY LOW MAKING THE BRAKES COMPLETELY UN-EFFICIENT WHEN OPERATING (MAINLY WINTER TIME). LATELY THE ABS COMES ON DURING THE FINAL BREAKING, DISABLING THE BREAK FOR ~0.5 SEC AND ACCELERATING THE ENGINE, GIVING A FINAL KICK ~ 0.5 - 1M INSTEAD OF FINAL STOP. I WANT THIS ABS DISABLED FOR GOOD, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, MAINLY IN CITY D…
03/27/2003 · Seats
DRIVER SEAT OF 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV MINIVAN HAS BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. IN ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION, SEAT HAD AN "ADJUSTABLE WHEEL" ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE SEAT FOR ADJUSTING THE BACK OF THE SEAT FORWARD AND BACKWARD. AFTER THE SEAT BROKE, I INQUIRED AT SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND THEY ALL STATED THAT THE SEAT IS NO LON…
06/18/2002 · Body / structure
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEED, VEHICLE LOST STEERING. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE REAR CRADLE BOLT ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION, THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE MOUNTING, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SHAFT TO SEPARATE.*JB
04/09/2002 · Seat belts
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN INTO THE RETRACTOR, LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE. THE RETRACTORS WERE POORLY BUILT SINCE ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THE RETRACTORS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *YH
04/03/2002 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE REPLACED 4/99 SAME PROBLE GM NOTIFIED AND FIXED FREE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM; NOW THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE; AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED IT IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. I HAD 64,000 MILES ON VEHICLE WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 1999.*AK
08/08/2001 · Seat belts
SEATBELT WILL NOT RELEASE, MAKING IT UNUSABLE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, FOR OTHER SEATBELTS IN OTHER LOCATIONS FOR THIS SAME REASON. *AK