RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
65
Latest Nov 15, 2010
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 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 belts1418.7%
  • Brakes79.3%
  • Airbags56.7%
  • Body & structure56.7%
  • Visibility56.7%
  • Electrical45.3%
  • Engine34.0%
  • Fuel system34.0%
  • Steering22.7%
  • Tires & wheels22.7%
  • Driver assistance22.7%
  • Other / unspecified22.7%
  • Exterior lighting11.3%
  • Suspension11.3%

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.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT STATES TRANSMISSION STILL ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO OVERHEAT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON JAN 5TH THE LINES ARE LEAKING. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS RELATED TO RECALL 96V015000. THE CONTACT HAS NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THE VEHICLE HAS 202,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, THE FRONT AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. THE WEBBING IS COMING OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS IN RELATED TO RECALLS 93V212000 AND 94V100000. THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB THE CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 05/24/06

NHTSA ID 10136022 · filed Sep 9, 2005

MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN SECOND ROW OF SEATS WILL NOT EXTEND FROM RETRACTED POSITION.

NHTSA ID 534623 · filed Apr 18, 1998
All 14 reports naming seat belts

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WOULD LIKE THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE REGARDING THIS MATTER. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID 743801 · filed Apr 10, 2001

WE HAVE HAD ALL THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK, CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE THEIR DOORS. THE REAR BACK HATCH HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $150 FOR EACH REPAIR. AFTER READING THE TOM AND RAY ARTICLE IN THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC ON JAN. 1, 2000, I BELEIVE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID 716717 · filed Jan 1, 2000
All 11 reports naming interior & seats

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT STATES TRANSMISSION STILL ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO OVERHEAT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON JAN 5TH THE LINES ARE LEAKING. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS RELATED TO RECALL 96V015000. THE CONTACT HAS NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THE VEHICLE HAS 202,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, THE FRONT AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. THE WEBBING IS COMING OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS IN RELATED TO RECALLS 93V212000 AND 94V100000. THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB THE CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 05/24/06

NHTSA ID 10136022 · filed Sep 9, 2005

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT MADE LOUD NOISES AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID 842703 · filed Jul 20, 1999
All 8 reports naming transmission

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE BRAKES "LOCKED UP". CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

NHTSA ID 10005903 · filed Jan 29, 2003

BRAKES SEEM TO GIVE OUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID 719236 · filed Feb 25, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS READING INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE95062 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A MAKE : CHEVROLET MODEL: LUMINA APV MANUFACTURER : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. YEAR : 1994 COMPONENT : ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING MY 1994 LUMINA APV STARTED TO SMOKE IN THE STEERING COLUMN ON 2 OCCASIONS. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY AND IT STOPPED. I TURNED IT BACK FORWARD TO THE ON POSITION WITHOUT STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN, BUT WHEN I WENT AHEAD AND STARTED THE VAN IS BEGAN TO SMOKE AGAIN. BEING THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND CANT GO WITHOUT IT, I CAREFULLY REMOVED THE 4 SCREWS ON THE CENTER WHEEL THAT HOLDS THE AIRBAG, AND FOUND THAT THE LARGE YELLOW PLUG THAT CONECTS THE AIRBAG WAS BLACKENED BY HEAT. HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER NOTIFICATIONS OF THIS IN THE PAST? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10061822 · filed Mar 10, 2004

COLLIDED HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PH

NHTSA ID 10005902 · filed Jan 29, 2003

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN OPENING THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR FRAME, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED BY PERSONAL MECHANIC AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID 854569 · filed Jan 22, 2000

WE HAVE HAD ALL THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK, CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE THEIR DOORS. THE REAR BACK HATCH HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $150 FOR EACH REPAIR. AFTER READING THE TOM AND RAY ARTICLE IN THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC ON JAN. 1, 2000, I BELEIVE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID 716717 · filed Jan 1, 2000

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV. BACK IN 2000 I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WASHER MOTOR/ASSEMBLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO OPERATE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS GM HAS ISSUED A REPAIR/REFUND FOR SAME MOTOR FOR ALL OTHER VEHICLES WITH PROBLEMS BUT NOT FOR THE LUMINA/LUMINA APV. THIS WAS A COSTLY REPAIR AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT GM IS GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE CALLED GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REPORTED/ INQUIRED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES. I KNOW OF MANY LUMINA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND REPAIRED THEM. WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE RESOLVED???*AK

NHTSA ID 10060707 · filed Mar 8, 2004

I OWN A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA VAN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY WHEN THEY "FEEL LIKE IT". IN SPEAKING TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (NOT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP), HE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS THE SAME WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY THAT IS ON YOUR RECALL 98V150001, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICAL IS NOT LISTED AS PART OF THAT RECALL. UPON CONTACTING CHEVY, THEY USED THAT SAME REASONING AS NOT COVERING REPLACEMENT. IF, IN FACT, THIS IS THE SAME WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AS WHAT'S IN THE OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS LISTED IN THE RECALL, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT REPLACEMENT OF THAT PART WOULD ALSO BE COVERED ON THE LUMINA VAN. *AK

NHTSA ID 10029158 · filed Jul 25, 2003

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STALLING OF VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO RECREATE THE STALLING. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. AT MY REQUEST, I HAD THE FUEL PUMP & HOSES REPLACED. ALSO CHANGED DISTIBUTOR CAP AND COIL. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. AT A LOSS AS TO HOW ARE WHERE TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 704094 · filed Mar 5, 1999

WHILE TAKING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD, WHEN HOOD LATCH WAS RELEASED FLAMES SHOT FROM BOTTOM OF CAR, VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP.

NHTSA ID 805248 · filed Dec 17, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT PULLEY OFF WATER PUMP SHEARED OFF ITS AXLE, CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF. *AK *MJ

NHTSA ID 8010884 · filed Jun 3, 2002

I HAD BEEN TRAVELING APROXIMATELY 180 MILES AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE A YEAR PRIOR. I TOOK IT IN TO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE PROVIDER I HAVE BEEN USING FOR ALL MY MAINTENANCE. I HAVE TO KEEP A REGULAR APPROVED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD REPORTED THAT THEY RAN AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC SCAN. CK CODES. NONE STORED. TEST DRIVE FOR 47 MILES. DID NOT DIE, MISS OR ACT UP. I EXPLAINED TO THEM AGAIN THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITHIN THAT MILEAGE AND THEY TOLD THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD PAY FOR EVERYTHING. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THEY WERE PUTTING MY FAMILY IN DANGER. STILL NO RESULTS. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE CHEVROLET CONSUMER COMPLAINT OFFICE. THEY GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER(9903 433 48). THEY SAID THAT SINCE IT WAS OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND 36,000 MILES THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN THE EPISODE OCCURRED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF AN EIGHT LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS WITHIN 20 FEET OF BEING RAN OVER BY A SEMI-TRUCK BEFORE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFORMATION POSSIBLE. THANK YOU CHESTER RAINWATERS. *AK

NHTSA ID 707896 · filed Jun 25, 1999

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STALLING OF VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO RECREATE THE STALLING. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. AT MY REQUEST, I HAD THE FUEL PUMP & HOSES REPLACED. ALSO CHANGED DISTIBUTOR CAP AND COIL. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. AT A LOSS AS TO HOW ARE WHERE TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 704094 · filed Mar 5, 1999

VEHICLE STALL OUT WHEN DRIVING 75 MPH ON I-95. *AK

NHTSA ID 979820 · filed Feb 27, 1996

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CATASTROPHIC SUB FRAME FAILURE. AFTER 16 YEARS OF SALTED NE OHIO ROADS THE VAN'S FRONT SUB FRAME COLLAPSED AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WOULD JOLT FROM LANE TO LANE WHILE SHIFTING, AND HAD LOST MOST STEERING CONTROL. MECHANICS REPLACED OVER $700 OF PARTS TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE UNTIL A FRIEND FOUND THE REAL CULPRIT OF THE CLUNKING AND LOST STEERING. PLEASE BE VERY WARY OF GM PRODUCTS IN THE RUST BELT. REPLACEMENT OF SUB FRAME SOLVED ALL ISSUES PROCURED FROM INITIAL PROBLEM HOWEVER, AND IT IS FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE TO HAVE A SUB FRAME SHIPPED UP HERE FROM ARIZONA ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE ENGINES/TRANS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE JUST ABOUT BULLET PROOF AND IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO JUNK SUCH A RELIABLE RUNNING VEHICLE. GOOD VEHICLE OTHERWISE AND THE UNIBODY IS GALVANIZED, SO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS SOUND.

NHTSA ID 10366248 · filed Nov 15, 2010

VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN WAS MADE OF ALUMINIUM INSTEAD OF STEEL. *MR

NHTSA ID 10022409 · filed May 30, 2003

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SPARE TIRE RACK AND CABLE HAVE BROKEN FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED . FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID 8019451 · filed Sep 25, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED WOBBLING; SUBSEQUENTLY, RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED, SPEED 60 MPH; NOTICED SLIGHT INDENTATION IN SIDEWALL PRIOR TO EXPLOSION. *AK GENERAL XP 2000 AS, SIZE P205/70R15, DOT ACM0AB6064, FAILED TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID 986520 · filed Jul 5, 1996

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE BUILT WITHOUT BRAKE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) WHEN MANUAL STATES VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH BTSI. *TW

NHTSA ID 482389 · filed Mar 21, 1995

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON, AND BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON OCCASION MAKING VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. TT

NHTSA ID 960411 · filed Feb 22, 1995

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT DOWN IN FRONT, UP IN THE BACK. CONSUMER PULLED OVER,AND SAW CABLE THAT HELD SPARE TIRE IN PLACE HAD SNAPPED. SPARE TIRE TURNED UP SIDEWAYS, AND JACKED VEHICLE UP IN BACK.*AK

NHTSA ID 894189 · filed Aug 13, 2001

SPARE WHEEL IS SUSPENDED BELOW CAR BY A SMALL CABLE. THIS CABLE FRACTURED AT THE JOINT WITH THE BLOCK WHICH CLAMPS THE WHEEL. THERE IS NO LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE WHEEL. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED GRAVE DANGER TO ANY FOLLOWING MOTORIST.

NHTSA ID 749479 · filed Jul 30, 2001

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY NOTICED A SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM DIMMER SWITCH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK MECHANIC FOUND NO PROBLEMS OR DAMAGE. MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS NO FURTHER COMPLAINTS. *JG

NHTSA ID 8007417 · filed Apr 11, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CATASTROPHIC SUB FRAME FAILURE. AFTER 16 YEARS OF SALTED NE OHIO ROADS THE VAN'S FRONT SUB FRAME COLLAPSED AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WOULD JOLT FROM LANE TO LANE WHILE SHIFTING, AND HAD LOST MOST STEERING CONTROL. MECHANICS REPLACED OVER $700 OF PARTS TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE UNTIL A FRIEND FOUND THE REAL CULPRIT OF THE CLUNKING AND LOST STEERING. PLEASE BE VERY WARY OF GM PRODUCTS IN THE RUST BELT. REPLACEMENT OF SUB FRAME SOLVED ALL ISSUES PROCURED FROM INITIAL PROBLEM HOWEVER, AND IT IS FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE TO HAVE A SUB FRAME SHIPPED UP HERE FROM ARIZONA ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE ENGINES/TRANS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE JUST ABOUT BULLET PROOF AND IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO JUNK SUCH A RELIABLE RUNNING VEHICLE. GOOD VEHICLE OTHERWISE AND THE UNIBODY IS GALVANIZED, SO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS SOUND.

NHTSA ID 10366248 · filed Nov 15, 2010

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

Data on this page last refreshed .