ChevroletLumina APV1991Overview/chevrolet/lumina-apv/1991/base/

1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Lumina APV.

The 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV requires 4 quarts of 5W-30 API-certified motor oil for service, and while the JSON provides only its engine oil specification without detailing the powertrain, it entered the market as part of a model generation that accumulated 50 owner complaints in this specific model year with structural issues representing the primary concern, alongside two safety recalls issued; when viewed against the broader 1990-1999 complaint history where 1990 recorded the highest tally at 123 complaints and 1997 the lowest at just 1, the 1991 model year falls in a moderate position that suggests neither the early-production teething problems nor the later refinement improvements thatDefine the model's reliability curve.

Model year199619951994199319921991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12737090. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12737090 alt 25012305
Engine air filter19166103 alt 25043119
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued
Spark plug19354418 alt 05614046
Front wiper blades10093142
Serpentine belt10041195 alt 10127525
Thermostat19435095 alt 10192505

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight3307 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV sits near the start of this generation's federal record and shows a marked improvement from the 1990 debut year: complaints fell from 123 to 50, recalls dropped from 4 to 2, and TSBs held steady at 3, though investigations remained elevated at 7, just one below 1990's peak. Across the generation, complaints fluctuated after 1991—rising to 84 in 1992, dipping to 54 in 1993, then climbing to 111 by 1995—while recalls stayed low through 1996 and TSBs grew steadily, reaching 49 by 1996. The 1991 model's leading complaint categories were Structure (14), Latches/Locks/Linkages (6), Service Brakes/Hydraulic (6), and Seat Belts (5), with 7 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints reported; the data does not specify root causes. Because 1991 combines the generation's lowest early complaint volume and tied-lowest recall count with only moderate TSB activity, it represents one of the cleaner early-model years in this run. That makes a well-maintained 1991 Lumina APV a comparatively reasonable choice among first-generation examples, provided a buyer verifies the specific structure, brake, and restraint items reflected in the federal record.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure14
Latches/Locks/Linkages6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Seat Belts5
Electrical System3
Seats3
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Visibility2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

97V058000StructureReported 08/04/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

99I003000SeatsReported 08/06/1999

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
4363031995-01-01Fuel System, GasolineFUEL TANK THUD/CLUNK. *TW
4310511994-12-01StructureSLIDING DOOR RATTLES. *TW
93190101993-05-01StructureBINDING/STICKING OR HARD TO OPEN FUEL FILLER DOOR (NEW SPRING AND RELEASE CABLE). *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lumina APV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Lumina APV take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Lumina APV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.