VehicleVerdict

1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV carries two red flags at once: 58 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Lumina APV years to avoid.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (28% of the total).

58

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

7

Investigations · 1 open

9

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Lumina APV years?

Lumina APV NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted135 complaints1987: 1 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 135 complaints1991: 58 complaints1992: 89 complaints1993: 61 complaints1994: 79 complaints1995: 128 complaints1996: 40 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 4 complaints
Lumina APV NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lumina APV years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1628%
Latches & Locks814%
Brakes610%
Seats59%
Seat Belts59%
Electrical System47%
Engine47%
Airbags23%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Fuel System12%
Steering12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Suspension12%
Transmission12%
Other12%

Does the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

99I003000SeatsJune 8, 1999 · 187,459 units

Defect

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.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 24, 2010 · crash

“PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT NOT OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, CANNOT OPEN FROM INSIDE WHEN UNLOCKED, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DRIVER CANNOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS NOT LOCKED. BACK HATCH DOES NOT HAVE INTERNAL RELEASE, CAME OFF ON CONSUMER'S HAND. DEALER REPLACED HATCH LOCK. OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks

“FRONT BRAKES FAILED DUE TO STRESS CREATED BY THE RELEASE OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE BRACKET, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 10, 1995 · crash

“SEAT BELTS COME OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED (ALEXANDER CHEVROLET), STATED THEY WOULD ORDER A PART. FINALLY, ADMITTED THAT THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED, AND CANNOT REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 1, 1998

“WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY HAD MADE A U- TURN AND WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNKEN DRIVER THAT HAD CROSSED THE LANES. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NOR HAD THE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS, UPON IMPACT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 31, 1997 · crash

1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV — common questions

Is the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 58 complaints put the 1991 model at #6 of 12 Lumina APV years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Lumina APV years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Lumina APV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (16 complaints), latches & locks (8 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).

Does the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Chevrolet Lumina APV years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lumina APV years to avoid are 1990, 1995, 1992, 1994, 1991. The cleanest record among Lumina APV years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.