Chevrolet LUMINA APV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
311 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
126,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 311 complaints (8.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 44 | 14.1% |
| Steering behavior | 31 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 25 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 22 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 18 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 16 |
| Structure | 16 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 15 |
| Seats | 14 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 25; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 22; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 18; Structure:Body:Door: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 16; Structure: 16; Structure:Frame And Members: 15; Seats: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 276 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 71 |
| 1996 | 51 |
| 2000 | 59 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 35 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
1995: 71; 1996: 51; 2000: 59; 2001: 32; 2002: 35; 2003: 31; 2004: 13; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2010: 3
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484399 · 1995-07-25 (July 25, 1995)
REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863454 · 2000-06-12 (June 12, 2000)
BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN PARK BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON. CONSUMER HAS TO UNHOOK BATTERY SO THAT LIGHTS WON'T RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006494 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037614 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 107,351 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985052 · 1996-05-30 (May 30, 1996)
TRANSMISSION STALLS WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING IT TO LOCK UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759615 · 2002-03-21 (March 21, 2002)
I TOOK MY VAN TO THE SHOP FOR A TRANSMISSION LEAK, SHOP MAN TOOK THE VAN INSIDE TURNED OFF THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN HIS HANDS THE VAN WAS SMOKING AND THE STARTER WAS TURNING THE ENGINE WITHOUT THE KEYS INSIDE , THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BURNING AND THE CONNECTORS . NOW THERE IS TWO OTHER LUMINA VAN THAT HAD ELECTRICAL FIRE BUT THERE WAS NO ONE TO STOP IT SO IT COUGHT ON FIRE. THAT IS ONLY THE TWO VAN THAT HAD THE SAME THING .NOW THERE ARE TWO LUMINA VAN THAT ELECTRICALS IN HIS HANDS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970614 · 1995-08-17 (August 17, 1995)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STOP WORKING DEALER SAY THE ENGINE NEEDS A REBUILT THERE WAS NO WARNING . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711177 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DOES NOT STAY IN CONTACT WITH MOTOR TO OPERATE THE WASHERS OR WIPER MOTOR.I TRIED WIRE TYING IT TOGETHER,BUT THAT ONLY LASTS A COUPLE OF DAYS THANKS, ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718710 · 2000-02-13 (February 13, 2000)
FIRST IT STARTED BLOWING FUSES SO I CHECKED THE FUEL PUMP IT WORKED FINE I CHECKED THE WIRES THE LOOKED GOOD SO I THANK THAT IT HAS TO BE THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER/FUEL PUMP SWITCH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958871 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
GAS TANK; KEEPS SHIFTING WHEN STOP OR STARTING AND MAKING A NOISE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958871 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
1987: 0; 1990: 3; 1991: 1; 1992: 2; 1993: 3; 1994: 4; 1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0