Total Complaints
135 filings
CHEVROLET LUMINA APV · model year
1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV
135 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990CHEVROLETLUMINA APV carries 135 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 LUMINA APV is seats:front assembly:recliner with 12 filings, followed by structure:body:door (12) and structure:frame and members (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1990 LUMINA APV, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
135
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 12 |
| STRUCTURE | 9 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| TIRES | 3 |
Recent Complaints
20080504TIRES
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. *TR
Mileage: 162,000
20040728STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 97V058000 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. *AK
20040206SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO REAR SEATS. *AK
20030826STRUCTURE: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
Mileage: 107,351
20030709STRUCTURE
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL 97V05800 CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT GIVING A REASON.*AK
20030709STRUCTURE
THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 97V058000 FOR THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS WITHOUT REASON.*AK
20030205STEERING
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
20021015STRUCTURE
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. *YH
20020920LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILED, ALSO BACK HATCH LATCH FAILED. *AK
20020905STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LEAK, DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COOLER WAS MISSING. *SLC ALSO UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *JG *JB
20020905STEERING:RACK AND PINION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LEAK, DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COOLER WAS MISSING. *SLC ALSO UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *JG *JB
20020905STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LEAK, DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COOLER WAS MISSING. *SLC ALSO UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *JG *JB
20020905STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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
20020905STRUCTURE: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
20020905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. *SLC
20020905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. *SLC
20020905SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *SLC
20020905TIRES
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC
20020416STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBFRAME REPORTED TO BE - "ROTTED OUT" - VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. COMPONENT AS NOT LET GO YET - IT IS ON THE VERGE. DISCOVERED DURING REPAIR OF RACK AND PINION UNIT. WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU DETAILED LETTER WITH PICTURES.*AK
20020411STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNK, STEERING FELT TIGHT, THEN SPUN FREELY. MECHANIC DETERMINED SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY BOLTS SNAPPED OFF ON BOTH SIDES, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DETACHED.*AK
Compare 1990CHEVROLETLUMINA APV to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV have?▼
The 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV has 135 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR and STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1990 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.