1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 65 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (18% of complaints); the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 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”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2003
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2002
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2002
“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”Owner report · Equipment · Aug 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.”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 1999
“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”Owner report · Structure · Oct 1999
“Vehicle came to a abrupt stop. It would not move in any gear. In drive gear, with enough acceration, the car lunged forward and stopped again with loud sound accompanied. Dealer claims transmission failure, new transmission needed. 48000 mi. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · May 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BELT CAN BECOME "PINCHED" BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM. THE SHOULDER BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE 1994 VEHICLES HAVE AN OPTIONAL INTEGRAL (BUILT IN) CHILDSEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO THE POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
THE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MAY LOCK-UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON SLOPES OF LESS THAN 15 DEGREES, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR CENTER POSITION ARE MISSING A PAWL SPRING AND IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WILL ALLOW THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING TO EXTEND BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE RETRACTOR IF THE PAWL SPRING IS MISSING.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lumina Apv by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv reliable?
NHTSA has 65 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv. The most complained-about area is seat belts (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 173,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Chevrolet Lumina Apv have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.