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.
Chevrolet Lumina Apv power steering loss problems
14 of the 476 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Lumina Apv describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 1996
By model year
- 19963
- 19952
- 19942
- 19931
- 19922
- 19912
- 19902
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet lumina apv. While driving 15 MPH, the contact lost steering ability. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the rear two bolts that hold the engine failed, which caused the steering column to disconnect. As of july 26, 2007, the dealer has not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 168,000. Updated 02/01/08.
Experienced intermittent of power steering, lost steering control of the vehicle. Replaced rack and pinion. *bf the vehicelk rack and pinion faield prior to receiving the recall notice. The driver's side power window motor failed, the alternator, air conditioning and windshield wiper assembly also failed.
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
After recall for the power steering assembly 02 v 286 000 was performed the power steering failed again.
While driving 75mph car shut off, causing loss of power steering.*ak the engine shuts off in the idle position or when moving. Consumer has contacted gm and filed a safety report. This vehicle has been repeatedly checked.
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.
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
Recall 97 v 058 000/ rear cradle bolts: rear cradle bolts retainer failed on both sides, snapping steering wheel column while driving, and causing loss of steering control. Believed this was due to corrision. Dealer was notified, and unwilling to assist in this matter because this vehicle not covered under recall due to VIN.
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Lumina Apv power steering loss
Which Chevrolet Lumina Apv years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (3 complaints), 1990 (2 complaints) and 1991 (2 complaints).
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