Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1993 Chevrolet Lumina APV sits mid-pack among Lumina APV years: 61 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 49, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (12), engine (8), and visibility & wipers (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
61
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 12 | 20% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 8 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 8% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 5 | 8% | — flat |
| Seats | 5 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 4 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 2% | — flat |
| Brakes | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BELT CAN BECOME "PINCHED" BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM. THE SHOULDER BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE 1994 VEHICLES HAVE AN OPTIONAL INTEGRAL (BUILT IN) CHILDSEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO THE POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.
Consequence
IMPROPER SHOULDER BELT RETRACTION DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN RELEASE. IT STAYED IN THE RELEASE POSITION. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO TELL IF THE RECALL APPLIED TO THE CONSUMER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS 10 YEARS OLD. *JB ALSO, THE FRONT…”
“THE WIRING TO THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS IS NOT CIRCUIT PROTECTED. NO FUSABLE LINK OR FUSE. WHEN THE WIRING OR FAN SHORTS IT CAUSES THE WIRING TO BURN. THIS IN TURN AFFECTS THE WIRING BUNDLE IT RUNS THROUGH AND WILL CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I HAVE SINCE PUT A FUSE IN THE SYSTEM PER THE RATING OF…”
“AS MENTIONED, OCCASIONALLY, WINDSHIELD WIPER SIMPLY WON'T COME ON - AT NO PARTICULAR TIME, BUT CERTAINLY DANGEROUS ! OTHER TIMES, WORKS FINE. DEALER SAID IT HAD REPORTS OF IT...NOT SURE OF DATE WHEN FIRST OCCURRED, BUT APPROXIMATELY WHERE INDICATED. STILL OCCURS, OCCASSIONALLY...NOT A WARRANTY…”
“DRIVER'S SEAT TRACKS AND ANCHORS BROKE APART AFTER SITTING DOWN TO START VEHICLE. WOODEN BLOCKS HAD TO BE PLACED UNDERNEATH THE SEAT IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT SEAT ADJUSTER. *YH”
“ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE AND DAMAGE BEARINGS. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,961.87. TWO YEARS LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED TO REMANUFACTURED ENGINE AGAIN, THIS TIME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE OIL COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE…”
It is close to typical for the Lumina APV: 61 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (12 complaints), engine (8 complaints), visibility & wipers (5 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina APV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.