1993 Chevrolet Lumina Apv Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Apv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts1220.7%
- Interior & seats915.5%
- Engine712.1%
- Visibility58.6%
- Fuel system58.6%
- Electrical46.9%
- Driver assistance35.2%
- Steering35.2%
- Body & structure23.4%
- Other / unspecified23.4%
- Transmission23.4%
- Exterior lighting11.7%
- Tires & wheels11.7%
- Heating & air conditioning11.7%
- Brakes11.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALLS 94V027 AND 94V015 DO NOT COVER MY VAN, BUT DESCRIBE THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING EXACTLY. SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VAN IN 1995 THE REAR SEATBELTS HAVE LOCKED UP AT THE ODDEST TIMES. ALL OF THE BACK SEAT BELTS (NOT JUST THE ONES DESCRIBED IN 94V027) LOCK UP AT TIMES AND WILL USUALLY UNLOCK WITH A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING. ALL OF THE REAR SEATBELTS WILL LOCK ON AN INCLINE (AS DESCRIBED IN 94V015) AND NOT UNLOCK UNTIL THE VAN IS MOVED TO LEVEL GROUND. MY KIDS KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THEY CAN NOT PUT ON THEIR SEATBELTS UNTIL THE VAN IS MOVING. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE RECALLS SHOULD COVER MORE SEATBELTS AND MORE VANS THAN LISTED. THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT (ONLY) OF MY VAN APPEARS TO BE COVERED BY A RECALL, YET ALL THE SEATBELTS ARE THE SAME. '94 SEATBELTS ARE COVER BY THE RECALL 94V015, BUT MINE ARE NOT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND APPEAR TO BE THE SAME SEATBELTS. CHEVROLET REPLACED ALL OF THE SEATBELTS UNDER WARRANTY ONCE MANY YEARS AGO, AND THE SITUATION IMPROVED UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS LOCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE THE SEAT BELTS. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELTS THAT ARE CLOSEST TO THE SLIDING DOOR BECOME STUCK INSIDE OF THE DOOR. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT RECALL # 94V100000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) AND RECALL # 94V027000 (SEAT BELTS:REAR) ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AND DO NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. IN ORDER TO USE THE SEAT BELTS, THE CONTACT MUST DRIVE OVER A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD FOR THE SEAT BELTS TO RELEASE. THE BODY STYLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TAILGATE LOCK FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE TAILGATE LOCK CYLINDER RETAINER CAME OFF WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOCK CYLINDER FALLING OUT OF THE TAILGATE. *NM
THE DRIVERS SEAT IS BREAKING AWAY FROM IT'S MOUNTINGS
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 DAMAGE. COST TO US $390 ( NOT COVERED UNDER JASPER WARRANTY BECAUSE JASPER DID NOT INSTALL INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, HALLEEN DID). *AK
WHILE CONSUMER'S DAUGTHER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A WARNING, FORCING DRIVER OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN MY VAN DO NOT WORK SOMETIMES. TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND BOTH TIMES THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FOUND. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE LAST SUMMER AND ONLY HAPPENS SPORADICALLY.
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, CONSUMER BELEIVES THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES FUEL TANK STARTED TO IMPLODE ON THE BOTTOM CAUSING THE PUMP PICK UP TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TANK BOTTOM CUTTING OFF FUEL SUPPLY RESULTING IN A NO START CONDITION. *TT *NLM
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 DAMAGE. COST TO US $390 ( NOT COVERED UNDER JASPER WARRANTY BECAUSE JASPER DID NOT INSTALL INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, HALLEEN DID). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, CONSUMER BELEIVES THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *YH
WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF. THE DRIVER RECEIVES NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR INTAKE CONTROL, THE COMPUTER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK OPEN AT FULL THROTTLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MY 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV VAN. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VAN NEW IN FALL 1992 I FOUND THAT THE GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE FUEL WHEN NEAR THE BOTTOM 1/4. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH NO CHANGES MADE. IN JANUARY OF 1999, THE REAR TRUNK LID LOCK FELL OF AND AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED, I HAD TO RETURN IT AS THE MECH WAS LOOSE AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER LOCKING SYSTEM AS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 3, 1999, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED CRUISE CONTROL SET, I NOTICED THE SPEED STARTED TO INCREASE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO CONTROL THE SPEED AS I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE SO I TURNED IT OFF AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. THE DEALER SAID THE CRUISE HAD GONE BAD SO I HAD THEM DISCONNECT RATHER THAN PAY $600. TO REPLACE IT. IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTORS STOP WORKING (FRT PASSENGER AND 2ND ROW LEFT). WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THEM FOR $400. I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THE PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY THE CRUISE AND SEATBELTS AS THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE CRUISE IS POTENTIALLY A HAZARD. THE SEATBELTS MAKE THE CAR LEGALLY UNABLE TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS UNLESS I PAY $400. TO HAVE THEM FIXED. AND THERE ARE 5 MORE RETRACTORS THAT I SUSPECT MAY FOLLOW THE FIRST TWO. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL POPPED OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A LEFT HAND TURN. THE COVER LOCKED BETWEEN THE SPOOKE OF THE STEERING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE STRAIGHTENED UP BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. *AK
NOISY POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
A LARGE CRACK IN SUB- FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE FROM NORMAL USAGE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND OBVIOUS FLAW IN INTEGRITY OF THIS PART.*AK
I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MY 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV VAN. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VAN NEW IN FALL 1992 I FOUND THAT THE GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE FUEL WHEN NEAR THE BOTTOM 1/4. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH NO CHANGES MADE. IN JANUARY OF 1999, THE REAR TRUNK LID LOCK FELL OF AND AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED, I HAD TO RETURN IT AS THE MECH WAS LOOSE AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER LOCKING SYSTEM AS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 3, 1999, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED CRUISE CONTROL SET, I NOTICED THE SPEED STARTED TO INCREASE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO CONTROL THE SPEED AS I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE SO I TURNED IT OFF AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. THE DEALER SAID THE CRUISE HAD GONE BAD SO I HAD THEM DISCONNECT RATHER THAN PAY $600. TO REPLACE IT. IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTORS STOP WORKING (FRT PASSENGER AND 2ND ROW LEFT). WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THEM FOR $400. I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THE PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY THE CRUISE AND SEATBELTS AS THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE CRUISE IS POTENTIALLY A HAZARD. THE SEATBELTS MAKE THE CAR LEGALLY UNABLE TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS UNLESS I PAY $400. TO HAVE THEM FIXED. AND THERE ARE 5 MORE RETRACTORS THAT I SUSPECT MAY FOLLOW THE FIRST TWO. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE, WHICH HOLDS TIRE UNDER VEHICLE, FAILED ALLOWING TIRE TO FALL TO ROAD. IN MY CASE THIS HAPPENED WHEN LOADING VEHICLE WITH HEAVY OBJECT WHICH WHEN DROPPED ON DECK CAUSED TIRE TO FALL TO GROUND. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT FOR FOLLOWING VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT SEVERAL OTHER GM VEHICLE MODELS HAVE THIS ARRANGEMENT AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MECHANISM.
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, CARRIER THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY, CAUSING IT TO FALL DOWN, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 96V015001/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95C68/ TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. DEALER STATED RECALL WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE PARTS. FILE NUMBER C00016763. *AK
VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE GEAR, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, CONSUMER BELEIVES THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, CONSUMER BELEIVES THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IS LEAKING . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, COULD NOT CONTROL THE SPEED, BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND, RESULTING IN HITTING A WALL. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .