While driving the vehicle (1992 chevrolet lumina apv) , the two rear cradle bolts of the frame pulled through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. The rear cradle was no longer supported at these mounting locations and dropped to the ground, and the steering intermediate shaft was ripped off with a complete loss of steering resulting from same. The steering wheel spun free with no connection to wheels. No steering of any type available while driving from this failure. The vehicle was being driven at about 25 MPH so a safe stop was made in the middle of the road (no steering available at all). However, that was a matter of luck. If the vehicle was being driven at a higher speed, a crash would have resulted due to no steering being available after failure. There was a recall campaign for the 1991 model lumina apv. The federal safety agency campaign id number for the 1991 model was 97v058000.
The worst 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes26
- Seat belts17
- Seats11
- Body6
- Electrical5
- Fuel system4
- Tires3
- Visibility3
- Acceleration1
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Recalls 2
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
Recall number 96V015000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: the occupants of these seats will not be able to use the affected belt. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are at increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are being asked to inspect their vehicles to determine if the suspect retractor exhibits a lockup condition. Based on this inspection, dealers will replace the safety belts if the belt locks up. Replacement of the suspect safety belt will be available to consumers for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 94V027000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Defect investigations
Engine cradle separation
In april 1997, gm notified odi of a rear engine cradle bolt defect in certain model year (my) 1990-91 u vans and my 1988-91 w cars that could result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear.gm identified the problem as excessive crevice corrosion of the engine cradle retainer after years of exposure in a severe corrosive environment.the recall covered approximately 680,000 vehicles registered in 14 rust belt states; including almost 70,000 my 1990-91 u vans.the recalled vehicles received new rear cradle bolts and retainers. Gm changed the material composition of the retainers in the my 1992 u vans to provide improved corrosion resistance.the my 1992 retainers are aluminized steel with a 2.5 mm protective coating of zinc/chromate organic.there have been only five (5) failures identified in the subject vehicles after more than 10 years of exposure.based on the low failure rate and the age of the vehicles, there is no evidence of a safety defect trend in the subject vehicles. This recall query is closed.
RQ03003
Front brake hose failure
There is no summary currently available
PE96002
Trnsaxl oil hose separates
There is no summary currently available
PE94070
Apv fuel line fires
There is no summary currently available
EA92035
Technical service bulletins for the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv 11
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E or 4T65-E transaxles may comment on a...
- Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4T60-E transxales may comment on a grinding and / or...
- Special policy adjustment - linear exhaust gas recirculation system
- Engine hard to start (replace fuel pump pulsator)
- Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure)
- Cold start rattle noise
- Transmission fluid seeps around clamp at transmission oil cooler line
- Fuel tank thud/clunk
- Sliding door rattles
- Binding/sticking or hard to open fuel filler door (new spring and release cable)
1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
What 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH on a residential roadway, the steering coupler of the steering column fractured without warning and the vehicle lost control. The contact managed to pull the vehicle over without incident. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the steering coupler was replaced. The manufacturer was alerted.
The ABS frequency is extremely low making the brakes completely un-efficient when operating (mainly winter time). Lately the ABS comes on during the final breaking, disabling the break for ~0.5 sec and accelerating the engine, giving a final kick ~ 0.5 - 1m instead of final stop. I want this ABS disabled for good, is extremely dangerous, mainly in city driving. Thanks, adrian
Driver seat of 1992 chevrolet lumina apv minivan has broken at the bottom of the seat. In its original condition, seat had an "adjustable wheel" on the right rear side of the seat for adjusting the back of the seat forward and backward. After the seat broke, I inquired at several chevrolet dealerships in the area and they all stated that the seat is no longer available through the manufacturer. I contacted several junk yards in the area before I found another seat. The seat was put in and it has lasted about 6 months and the same thing has happened to this one. When I inquired again at several junk yards, I was told by several of them that this is a common problem with both front seats, with these "adjustable wheels", on the chevrolet lumina apv, pontiac transport and the oldsmobile silhouette. Is there something that can be done for these seats? I don't need the seat to adjust...it can be permanently fixed in place. Right now, I'm driving around with this seat back laying in the seat directly behind the drivers seat. I also believe that having the seat back like that while I'm transporting other passengers (with no available seats left) is a safety hazard for the passenger in the seat directly behind me. Please advise...soon!! Thanking you in advance...john hallman.
While making a turn at low speed, vehicle lost steering. Dealer contacted.*ak. Consumer stated the rear cradle bolt on the front subframe pulled through the retainers due to corrosion, the cradle would no longer support the mounting, which also caused the shaft to separate.
Passenger side seat belt will not return into the retractor, leaving occupant without any restraint. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak the passenger front seat belt retractor broke. The retractors were poorly built since on two previous occasions the retractors were not working properly.
Driver's side replaced 4/99 same proble gm notified and fixed free due to the fact that it was a safety problem; now they refuse to fix the passenger side due to the fact that there is 90,000 miles on vehicle; as far as I'm concerned it is still a safety issue regardless of mileage. I had 64,000 miles on vehicle when driver's side was replaced in 1999.
Seatbelt will not release, making it unusable. There has been a recall on this vehicle, for other seatbelts in other locations for this same reason.
After stopping at red light I pulled into an intersection and heard a loud boom at which point the rear end of minivan was sliding sideways. I pulled over thinking I had a blowout. Mechanic examined vehicle. In his twenty years in the business he had never seen anything like this. The rear trailer arm snapped cleanly in half, shearing my emergency brake cable and came within centimeters of shearing regular brakes. If I had been going 209mph instead of 10, mechanic assured me that the tire would have folded under itself flipping the vehicle
Driver's seatback broke and collapsed backwards while traveling up an incline at 30 MPH. Dealer / manufacturer waere notified,and unwilling to assist. Was informed vehicle was out of warranty/ not cover under a recall. Provide any further details on this matter.
Compare the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Other model years
Questions about the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv
Is the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv reliable?
Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv, 1.6 times a typical Lumina Apv model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv?
Brakes, with 26 complaints. Next is seat belts (17).
How many recalls does the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv have?
2 recalls, covering power train and seat belts.
What year does the Chevrolet Lumina Apv have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Lumina Apv model years with the most brakes complaints are 1992 (26 complaints), 1995 (11 complaints) and 1990 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv get?
Official estimates for the 1992 Chevrolet Lumina Apv range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 21 highway.
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