112 of the
396 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Astro are about the
braking system — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
140,850 miles.
ON NOVEMBER 21ST, 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY ASTRO VAN ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME APPLIED THEIR BRAKES. I ALSO APPLIED MY BRAKES, BUT MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I ATTEMPTED 4 TIMES IN A PANICKED STATE TO TRY AND RE-APPLY MY BRAKES WITH NO SUCCESS. I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER CONSIDERING WHAT HAD HAPPENED THAT DAY AND LOOKING AT THE BRAKE PEDAL SIZE IN THE VEHICLE IT IS NO WONDER I COULDN'T READILLY RE-APPLY THE BRAKE. I MEASURED THE BRAKE PEDAL SURFACE AREA. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 4 SQ. INCHES. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER VEHICLES AND THE SIZE OF THEIR BRAKE PEDAL SURFACE AREA. I HAVE YET TO DATE FOUND SUCH A SMALL BRAKE PEDAL IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VAN THOUSANDS OF MILES AND KNOW WITHOUT MUCH CONSIDERATION THE PEDALS LOCATION WITHOUT LOOKING, BUT IN A PANICED STATE I FOUND YOU LOOSE THAT REFERENCE AND IT SIMPLY COMES DOWN TO AN INCREASED OR DECREASED CHANCE OF HITTING THAT PEDAL GIVEN SURFACE AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10436820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesGreenville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD BURST ON THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VAN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INCIDENT. THE LINE BROKE AS THE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER AVOIDED A COLLISION AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE. SINCE THE REPAIR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK (11/29/05)
NHTSA complaint #10141435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP BY PUMPING THE BRAKES MORE THAN ONCE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10087788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,320 milesKennewick, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING UP VEHICLE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10081812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,700 milesMilton,, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I WAS GOING AROUND A SHARP CURVE HEADING TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE STEERING WOULD NOT CORRECT. I WENT AT NO FAULT OF MINE UP BEHIND A MAILBOX HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARD A HUGE TREE AT WHICH TIME GOD ALMIGHTY HAD A HAND ON ME NO DOUBT, AND VEERED BARELY TO THE LEFT OF TREE, MAILBOX I DAMAGED WITH MIRROR WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT CROSSED LADIES DRIVEWAY, WENT UPON ANOTHER EMBANKMENT AND BACK DOWN INTO DITCH. THE TIE ROD CAME COMPLETELY OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10073241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ogden, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW AND BRAKE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10030047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP. COULD HADVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8013227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winlock, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES PULL WHEN APPLIED SOMETIMES PULLS RIGHT,OTHER TIMES PULLS LEFT. BRAKES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY REBUILT BY PREVIOUS OWNER. NOW HAVING SAME PROBLEM. IS GM AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND WHAT IS REMEDY? WIFE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN MAJOR ACCIDENT AUGUST OF 2001 IN A 1993 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, YET DEALERSHIPS REPORT NO BULLITENS OR RECALLS. I HAVE FOUND ONE ON YOUR SITE AND ANOTHER BULLITEN THROUGH ANOHTER SOURCE. IS THIS ANOTHER "FORD/FIRESTONE" STYLE COVER UP????*AKY
NHTSA complaint #759798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS TO STOP VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER WHEN APPLIED. MOTOR IS CATCHING AND THEN IT IS RELEASING. HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER TO LET MECHANIC CHECK BRAKES OUT.
NHTSA complaint #898226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euclid, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
VAN DOES NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES, VAN WAS PURCHASED WITH POWER BRAKES, VAN HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, NEITHER DEALERSHIP COULD REPAIR THE POWER BRAKES. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euclid, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
VAN DOES NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES, VAN WAS PURCHASED WITH POWER BRAKES, VAN HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, NEITHER DEALERSHIP COULD REPAIR THE POWER BRAKES. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT, COULD NOT PULL TO LEFT. HAD APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE HIT A LAMP POST, AND THEN A HOUSE DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKING POWER. ABS BRAKES HAD FAILED. WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #880909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Dick, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. THREE SETS OF BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 3 YEARS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #878043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Dick, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. THREE SETS OF BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 3 YEARS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #878043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinley Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PREMATURE WEAR OF ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #876072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinley Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PREMATURE WEAR OF ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #876072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING A QUICK STOP THE BRAKES FAIL AND MAKE A NOISE, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 3 SETS OF PADS ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKE STILL DON'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #783694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING A QUICK STOP THE BRAKES FAIL AND MAKE A NOISE, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 3 SETS OF PADS ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKE STILL DON'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #783694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER DO NOT WORK WHEN TURNED ON OR FAIL WHILE DRIVING. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL WHEN USING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES.ENGINE MAKES LOUD RAPPING NOISES THEN RUNS VERY BAD / STALLS/ SHAKES.
NHTSA complaint #731687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Clemente, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT FAILS MOST OF THE TIME ON UNEVEN SURFACES AND ON NONASPHALT ROADS
NHTSA complaint #9001468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooresville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET PAVEMENTS PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND BRAKES LOCK UP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #864657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, COCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 33MPH, AND WAS BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEERED INTO THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #862079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL ABS BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE ABS LIGHT STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #861574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT OF ANY TYPE,IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH ANY FORCE AT ALL AT ANY SPEED,THEY LOCK UP CAUSING VAN TO SKID.THIS CAUSES UNASSURED SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE FOR THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #721799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medina, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE ON ICE , ONCE THEY LOCKED UP. CONSUMER HAS REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #859206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE BRAKEING VEHICLE WOULD STOP IN A EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.
NHTSA complaint #855345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKES WOULD RELEASE & THEN WOULD MAKE CLUNKING NOISES AFTER BEING APPLIED. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAL WHILE DRIVING. THE PEDAL WOULD FEEL WEIRD WHEN APPLIED. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE ABS BRAKES. CAN FIND NO INFORMATION ON APPARENT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #854190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONTACTED GMC ABOUT NHSTA RECALL 99I006000 THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #715988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacey, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET PAVEMENTS THE PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #852817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.