Illustration1991 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
1991 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina Apv do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lumina Apv years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 47 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
47 reportsTL*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 OF…
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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.
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 C…
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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
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. UPDAT…
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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
THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND PULLED THROUGH THE FRAME. *JB *TS
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
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 B…
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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
AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED SMOKING, IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
THIS VEHICLE MODEL YEAR HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL,NHTSA # 97V058000. HOWEVER CHEVROLET STATES THAT MY VEHICLE FALLS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF APPLICABLE VINS, AND WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE'S REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS, JUST AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL NOTICE. LUCKILY THE OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHIC…
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THIS VEHICLE MODEL YEAR HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL,NHTSA # 97V058000. HOWEVER CHEVROLET STATES THAT MY VEHICLE FALLS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF APPLICABLE VINS, AND WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE'S REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS, JUST AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL NOTICE. LUCKILY THE OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. (IT WAS THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME). NHTSA MAY WANT TO INVESTIGATE AND HAVE GMC INCREASE THE RANGE OF VINS APPLICABLE TO THIS CAMPAIGN. ******DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******757420.*AK *JB
LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET ROAD. VEHICLE BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. HAVE A APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Official recalls
197V058000 · Structure
Apr 8, 1997
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA97019 · Front Seat Back Collapse
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Jun 8, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT
PE97016 · Front Seat Back Collapse
Opened Apr 7, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.
PE94064 · Broken/leaking Brake Hoses
Opened Aug 18, 1994 · Closed Oct 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE93085 · Wheel Failures
Opened Sep 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA92035 · Apv Fuel Line Fires
Opened Oct 30, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available