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1990 problems

FaultScore report

1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV problems

Owners have filed 135 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the body & structure.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Lumina APV

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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

135

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Chevrolet Lumina APV

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 135 58 89 61 79 128 40 1 2 4

87 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 39 28.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 107,351 mi

Seats 15 11.1%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 13 9.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 13 9.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 13 9.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Seat Belts 11 8.1%

Doors, Latches & Locks 6 4.4%

Other & Unspecified 4 3.0%

Tires 4 3.0%

Median failure at 162,000 miles

Electrical System 4 3.0%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 2.2%

Equipment & Accessories 2 1.5%

Fuel & Propulsion 2 1.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 1.5%

Child Seats 1 0.7%

Wheels 1 0.7%

Lights 1 0.7%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 0.7%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Recliner 12 20.0%

Frame AND Members 12 20.0%

Door 12 20.0%

Retractor 6 10.0%

Engine 5 8.3%

Foundation Components 5 8.3%

Gasoline 4 6.7%

Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 4 6.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 1995 peak 18 May 2008

NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

2 investigations are still open.

RQ99002 Opened 4 Mar 1999 Still open ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ...

RQ97017 Opened 2 Oct 1997 Still open STRUCTURE

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

EA00011 Opened 10 Apr 2000 Closed 12 Jan 2001 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

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

EA97019 Opened 30 Sep 1997 Closed 8 Jun 1999 SEATS

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE

ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT

PE97016 Opened 7 Apr 1997 Closed 30 Sep 1997 SEATS

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE

SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.

PE96065 Opened 15 Nov 1996 Closed 8 Apr 1997 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ALLEGED ENGINE SUBFRAME MOUNT/INSULATOR

ALLEGED FAILURES OF ENGINE FRAME INSULATORS/MOUNTS TO UNIBODY FRAME MAY ALLOW SEPARATION OF ENGINE SUBFRAME, RESULTING IN COMPROMISE OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION.

PE93085 Opened 29 Sep 1993 Closed 28 Feb 1994 SUSPENSION

WHEEL FAILURES

EA92035 Opened 30 Oct 1992 Closed 30 Nov 1993 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

APV FUEL LINE FIRES

Recalls on the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

99I003000 8 Jun 1999

SEATS

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.

Risk: THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

97V058000 8 Apr 1997

STRUCTURE

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.

Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

91V046000 15 Mar 1991

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).

Risk: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.

89V164000 2 Oct 1989

SEATS

THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.

Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2000080 21 Mar 2000 200,580 units in Canada

Accessories

On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles. Correction: A letter will be sent to owners of affected vehicles with maintenance and inspection instructions for spare tire hoist cable assemblies. Additionally, the letter will advise the owner that, if the cable breaks during that inspection, their dealer will repair the assembly. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2002.

Recall 1997094 7 May 1997 10,255 units in Canada

Steering

THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING SHAFT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall 1997028 12 Feb 1997 15,561 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS AND RECLINER MECHANISMS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS MAY LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CLOTH OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME. THE RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

Recall 1991045 13 Mar 1991 72 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. RIGHT-HAND SEAT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT-HAND SEAT POSITION. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE, OCCUPANT WILL BE UNABLE TO DON BELT DUE TO BELT "LOCK UP". CORRECTION: VEHICLES WITH INCORRECTLY INSTALLED BELT WILL HAVE CORRECT BELT INSTALLED.

Recall 1989141 3 Oct 1989 45 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 207- ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD DOWN HOOKS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SEAT ANCHORAGE.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 24 Oct 1997 LAS Vegas, NV Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE OTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #817570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Apr 1996 Prospect PAR, PA Crash 2 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

UPON IMPACT, DURING REAR END COLLISION, DRIVER/PASS. SEAT BACKREST COLLAPSED REARWARD.

NHTSA complaint #982658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Sep 1995 Harvard, IL Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

.SNAP-ON FUEL LINE CONNECTORS PULLED APART, RESULTING IN A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #486176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 1995 Savannah, GA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE, HAD FIXED HAPPENED AGAIN, HAD ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #972159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Jul 1995 Soldotna, AK Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE AND COLLAPSE DURING REAREND IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #968318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Feb 1995 Broomfield, CO Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED UPON SIDE IMPACT. TT

NHTSA complaint #960020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 4 May 2008 at 162,000 miles Seven Hills, OH

TIRES

GOODYEAR REGATTA 2 TIRES WITH 23 THOUSAND MILES ARE BEGINNING TO LEAK AND SPLIT HALF WAY UP THE SIDEWALL OF BOTH FRONT TIRES FROM A RAISED AREA AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE INSIDE OF EACH TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10226597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jul 2004 Munster, IN

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 97V058000 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10083703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Feb 2004 Gwinn, MI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO REAR SEATS.

NHTSA complaint #10057642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Aug 2003 at 107,351 miles Dodgeville, WI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY HE HEARD ALOUD BANG. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES NON STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE AND RACK AND PINION TO COLLAPSE TO THE GROUND. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10037614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Jul 2003 Owosso, MI

STRUCTURE

THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL 97V05800 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT GIVING A REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10026877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Jul 2003 Owosso, MI

STRUCTURE

THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 97V058000 FOR THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10026880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 5 Feb 2003 Port Washington, WI

STEERING

REAR CRADLE BOLT ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS PULLING THROUGH THE RETAINER AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL. RELATED RECALL 97V058000. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY ARE NO LONGER HONORING IT. PH

NHTSA complaint #10006494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Oct 2002 Osseo, MN

STRUCTURE

THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS SNAPPED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRADLE BOLTS WERE ON RECALL FOR RUSTING AND BREAKING IN OTHER STATES BUT NOT IN THE CONSUMER'S STATE.

NHTSA complaint #567622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Sep 2002 Cleveland, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILED, ALSO BACK HATCH LATCH FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #767265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 5 Sep 2002 Medina, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR. *SLC