Chevrolet ASTRO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,817 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1983 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 489 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 254 of 1,817 complaints (14.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 538 | 29.6% |
| Steering behavior | 199 | 11.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 112 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 93 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 68 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 61 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 254 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 116 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 103 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 81 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 75 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 62 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 60 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 254; Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar: 116; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 103; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 81; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 75; Air Bags:Frontal: 62; Vehicle Speed Control: 60; Electrical System: 53
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 41 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 60 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 109 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 103 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 106 |
| 150,000 and above | 70 |
Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 60; 50,000 to 74,999: 109; 75,000 to 99,999: 103; 100,000 to 149,999: 106; 150,000 and above: 70
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (109). 1,328 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 225 |
| 1996 | 112 |
| 2000 | 339 |
| 2001 | 258 |
| 2002 | 202 |
| 2003 | 191 |
| 2004 | 145 |
| 2005 | 101 |
| 2006 | 42 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 225; 1996: 112; 2000: 339; 2001: 258; 2002: 202; 2003: 191; 2004: 145; 2005: 101; 2006: 42; 2007: 44; 2008: 27; 2009: 19; 2010: 26; 2011: 21; 2012: 11; 2013: 14; 2014: 20; 2015: 8; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 538 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 199 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 112 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488904 · 1995-10-05 (October 5, 1995)
DRIVERS DOOR OPENS WHEN TURNING OR BRAKING DUE TO LATCH STICKING. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9003181 · 2001-08-13 (August 13, 2001)
RUSTED FRAME WAS DISCOVERED WHEN REPARING BRAKE LINES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9003181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966276 · 1995-06-02 (June 2, 1995)
THE BOLT INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN COME LOOSE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 981183 · 1996-03-25 (March 25, 1996)
TILT STEERING COLUMN UNLATCHES AND BEGINS TO SWING WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766019 · 2002-08-21 (August 21, 2002)
I HAD A RECALL DONE ON THIS AT THAT TIME THE DEALER JUST RELPLACED THE BUCKLE BUTTONS AND PUT SOME SPRING CLIP ON THE RETRACTOR, THE SPRING DID NOT HOLD AND THE RETRACTOR TOTALLY GAVE UP WORKING I HEARD IT SPRING ALL OVER IN THE PILLAR AND THE BUCKLE HAS TOTALLY DETRIORATED FROM THE UV LIGHT IF THE RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE RIGHT I WOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS.RAKES HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME COMPONETS FAILED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963839 · 1995-04-17 (April 17, 1995)
UPON SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CRASHING INTO TWO TREES AND TWO FENCES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764159 · 2002-07-12 (July 12, 2002)
BRAKES WENT OUT AND STARTED ON FIRE. BAFFLES ON ENGINE EXHAUST RUSTED OUT AND LAYED ON FRAME TOUCHING STARTER MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH STARTED BRAKE FLUID ON FIRE FROM OTHER SIDE OF VEHICLE. BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY SAME TIME AS BAFFLE RUSTED OUT. MASTER CYLINDER WAS BUBBLING FROM THE HEAT AS BRAKE FLUID WAS ON FIRE. FIRE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT OUT. BUCKETS OF WATER WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH FLAMES. ONLY A HOSE COULD REACH THAT AREA OF THE FIRE.*AK*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711155 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. UPON TURNING KEY TO START, SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM UNDER DASH. SHUT OFF KEY, DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND AIRED VEHICLE. FOUND MELTED/ BARE WIRING. CONTACTED CHEVERLOT CUSTORMER SERVICE (#990501Z66, CONTACT KIM HILL). INDIVIDUAL REPORTED NOTHING GM COULD DO TO DEFRAY COSTS OF REPAIR. DEALER ESTIMATE AT $2,240. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482848 · 1995-04-03 (April 3, 1995)
ENGINE ACCESSORY PLATE CRACKED/REPLACED 3 TIMES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961247 · 1995-03-06 (March 6, 1995)
BRACKET WHICH HOLDS IN PLACE POWER STEERING AND FAN BELTS CRACKS THEN SEPARATES, RESULT P/S MOTOR TILTS, BELTS COME OFF,INOPERATIVE STEERING AND ENGINE OVERHEAT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971255 · 1995-08-29 (August 29, 1995)
GAS TANK SENDING UNIT HAS BROKEN, GAS DOES NOT TRAVEL PROPERLY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762846 · 2002-06-09 (June 9, 2002)
OVERHEATING OF DOME/INSTRUMENT LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH AND PLUG IN FRONT OF IT CAUGHT FIRE. BURNED PARTS REPLACED. HAPPENED TWICE MORE (WITHOUT FIRE). OVERHEATING IN THIS AREA PERSISTS WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. ONE HEADLIGHT GETS EXTREMELY HOT. BURNED OUT FRONT FAN MOTOR AND A MONTH LATER FUEL PUMP BURNED OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762846 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
1989: 3; 1990: 4; 1991: 3; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 2; 1995: 3; 1996: 4; 1997: 4; 1998: 3; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2005: 0