58 of the
3,757 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Astro
are about the doors, latches and locks —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
1997 CHEVROLET ASTROVAN WITH ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS. PULLED INTO SHEETZ GAS AND GO AND WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND IT DID NOT OPEN. TRIED TO PUSH THE MANUAL INSIDE DOOR LOCK BUT IT WAS TOTALLY FROZEN AND WOULD NOT ACTUATE. NEXT TRIED ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK SWITCH. NO RESPONSE ON DRIVERS DOOR BUT THERE WAS WEAK SOUND FROM PASSENGER DOOR LOCK SOLENOID. IT WAS AS IF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT WAS SUFFERING FROM INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE. CRAWLED OUT OF PASSENGER SEAT AND GOT OUT OF CAR. ' TOOK IGNITION KEY AND INSERTED IT INTO DRIVERS DOOR LOCK. KEY WOULD TURN TO LOCK (FELT THE DETENT OF THE ) AND BACK TO NEUTRAL... KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK POSITION ...WOULD MOVE A LITTLE AND THEN FREEZE. I DID NOT TRY HARDER TO TURN AS I FELT THERE WAS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THE KEY WOULD BREAK AND LEAVE ME STRANDED 40 MILES FROM HOME... NO BACKUP IGNITION KEY. IGNITION KEY WORKS THE DOOR LOCKS IN THIS MODEL. WENT TO NTSTB WEB SITE AND SEARCHED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME TYPE PROBLEM. NO LUCK. WENT TO GOOGLE AND DID SAME SEARCH CHEVROLET ASTROVAN DOOR WON'T OPEN AND GOT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAD NOT REACHED NTSTB.. CHEVROLET HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS MODEL HAS FLIP UP STEERING WHEEL, THIS WOULD NOT BE THE PROBLEM IT IS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR OLDER AND LARGER PROBLEM TO CLIMB OUT OF THE BUCKET SEAT AS THE STEERING WHEEL TRAPS YOUR LEGS WHEREAS A BENCH SEAT YOU SIMPLY SLIDE SIDEWAYS. THIS IS AN ENTRAPMENT ISSUE!!!!!! WILL SEE DEALER IN HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10549828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS VEHICLE AMONG OTHER VEHICLES MADE BY GM AND GMC HAVE A DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH THAT FAILS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE TO GET OUT IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE FIRE. THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND GM DID NOTHING TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. OWNERS ARE PUT AT EXTREME RISK FOR LOSING THEIR LIFE IN AN EVENT WHERE THEY NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL SO THAT NO ADDITIONAL LOSE OF LIFE WILL OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10532015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOTH FRONT POWER DOOR LOCKS ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. SECONDARY PROBLEM IS THE BATTERY DRAINING IF LEFT MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITHOUT BEING STARTED. BOTH BATTERIES ARE ONE YEAR OLD, IN GOOD CONDITION, AND ARE THE RIGHT TYPE. THE MAIN BATTERY DRAINS FIRST, SO WHEN THE AUXILIARY BATTERY IS STILL STRONG, THE ENGINE WILL START. I FEEL THAT THE CAUSE OF THE BATTERY/BATTERIES DRAINING IS NOT THE BATTERIES THEMSELVES BUT ANOTHER SOURCE, POSSIBLY THE FRONT POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS OR EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NOT THE SOURCE OF POWER THAT IS DRAINING THE BATTERY/BATTERIES. THIS VEHICLE IS USED AND OWNED BY A DISABLED PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY TO ACCOMMODATE A WHEELCHAIR LIFT, DRIVER'S POWER SEAT, AND POWER SLIDING DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10504345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REAR DOOR HANDLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR DOOR HANDLE AND MECHANISM. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/06/09. (JB
NHTSA complaint #10253169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DOOR HANDLE ON RIGHT REAR DUTCH DOOR OF OUR 2000 ASTRO VAN BROKE SUDDENLY WHEN TRYING TO OPEN DOOR. WHILE THE DUTCH DOOR FEATURE IS OPERATIONALLY VERY HANDY, THE DOOR DESIGN ALWAYS HAD A FLIMSY FEEL TO IT - SO WE ALWAYS USED GREAT CARE WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AFTER IT BROKE, WE FOUND THE NHTSA #634576 WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SO FELT OBLIGATED TO ADD TO YOUR LIST.
NHTSA complaint #10218984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHEVY 2000 ASTRO, CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. WE EVEN PUSHED THE VAN INTO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT TELL US WHAT IT WAS AFTER HOOKING IT UP TO DIAGNOSTICS. WE FIGURED IT WAS THE COIL WIRE. RECENTLY THE VAN HAS BEEN BOGGING DOWN WHEN IT IS UNDER LOAD. ALSO, WHEN IT RAINS IT RUNS ROUGH. WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY REPLACED OUR FUEL FILTER. IT RAN FINE BUT STILL CUTS OUT SOMETIMES RUNNING UP HILL. SO WE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. IF YOU LET THE VAN SIT OVER THE WEEKEND WITH OUT DRIVING IT, THE VAN WAS REALLY HARD TO START. UNTIL FINALLY IT JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL. IN ADDITION THE DOOR LOCKS SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DON'T . THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS VERY SLUGGISH GOING UP YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO HELP IT BY PULLING UP ON IT. WE KEEP BLOWING FUSES WHEN WE USE OUR CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO CHARGE OUR CELL PHONE. IT REALLY NEEDS HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10208761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO LS' LOCKS FAILED, NOT ALLOWING HER TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MELTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EAGLE AUTOMOTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACTUATOR, BUT REMOVED THE RELAY BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT WAS CONTINUOUSLY CLOSED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IF THEY DIDN'T REMOVE THE RELAY IT WOULD MELT THE ACTUATOR AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED THE FAILURE WILL REOCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WENT TO MONUMENT CHEVROLET AND ASKED FOR A PRINT OUT OF THE MAINTENANCE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ON APRIL 3, 2001 FOR BACK DOOR LOCKS AND AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2002 FOR THE SLIDING DOOR. THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT WAS ALSO REPLACED ON THE DRIVER DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE SLIDING DOOR WERE THE ONLY DOORS ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAD FUNCTIONING LOCKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE OTHER DOOR LOCK HANDLES WERESTUCK AND COULDN'T BE PULLED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS. SHE HAS TRIED TO GET RESOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS GIVEN A FILE #1-438966317. THE CONTACT ALSO SENT PICTURES TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BURNT OUT ACTUATORS AND WITH A CERTIFIED LETTER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED, HOWEVER SHE WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BRAKES WERE DESIGNED TO FAIL ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT UNDER 25 MPH. THE TROQUED CONVERTER BURNED OUT. THE LOCKS HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 03/19/07.
NHTSA complaint #10177663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DUTCH DOOR ON THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH ROD RETAINER CLIP FOR THE DOOR HAD DETACHED, AND THE ROD HAD DISCONNECTED. THE CLIP WAS REPLACED AND THE ROD WAS REATTACHED.
NHTSA complaint #10165118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVE BROUGHT VAN IN 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SMELLING WIRES BURNING. HAVE GONE THROUGH 6 BATTERIES IN 4 YEARS. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. RADIO/CD HAS BEEN REPLACED. NEW CD STOPED WORKING AFTER 1 WEEK OF BEING REPLACED. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE AGAIN. RADIO, OVERHEAD DIGITAL TEMP & MISC GAGES GOES OUT, SPEEDOMETOR, BATTERY, FUEL, AND ODOMOTER QUITS, ONLY THE OIL STILL WORKS. ABS BREAKING PROBEMS, PEDEL TO FLOOR, HAVE RAN INTERSECTIONS DUE TO THIS. HAVE HAD MINOR DINGS TO BUMPER BECAUSE IT ROLLED TO STOPS AT LOW SPEEDS. LOUD CLUNK IN REAR WHEN STOPPED TOO. DEALER REFUSED TO CALL IT A LEMON. REFUSED TO HELP FIX BECAUSE ITS A LEASE. ALSO HANDLE OVER PASSENGER AIRBAG DISINTEGRATED IN 3RD YEAR, AND NOW THE DRIVER ARM REST IS SPLIT IN 4TH YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10090825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DUTCH DOOR LOCKING MECHINISM FAILED AT ABOUT 10000 MILES. IT WAS ALWAYS HARD TO GET THE LOCK TO ENGAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT UNLOCK PREVENTING US FROM USING THE CARGO AREA BEHIND THE BACK SEAT.*AK THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURANCE OF THE LOCK FAILING
NHTSA complaint #10067592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MALFUNCTIONED REAR HATCHBACK DOOR FOR A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO. NO MANUAL OVERIDE/RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE LIKE A TRUNK RELEASE LEVER ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A CONCERN AS WELL AS A HAZARD IF THE ONLY OPTION TO EXIT WAS THRU THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR. IT WAS ALSO OF GREAT INCOVENIENCE TO GET A DISABLED PERSONS EQUIPMENT OUT WITH THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10060858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE BOUGHT AT THE END OF 2000, USED. EVERY SUMMER SINCE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE WIRING REPLACED IN THE ENGINE, FRONT DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AFTER 5 MONTHS, FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 6 TIMES DO TO THE WIRING AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DUE TO ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STARTER. HYDRAULICS ON REAR DOOR ALSO BROKEN. DISPLAY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAVE CONTINUALLY REPLACED FUSES. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THESE WERE JUST FLUKES, BUT THEY ARE CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE. I DID TALK TO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS SON ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VAN AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HIS MOTHER RETURNED IT BECAUSE THINGS KEPT FALLING APART ON IT. I WISH I HAD BEEN INFORMED BEFORE HAND HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT WAS GOING TO BE. I LOVE CHEVORLET VEHICLES AND I STILL LIKE MY VAN IT'S JUST COSTING ME TOO MUCH IN REPAIRS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS NOW STALLING AND THE GAS GAUGE HASN'T WORKED IN YEAR. I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH MY MILEAGE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T RUN OUT GAS. I AM GIVING THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT WHEN IT WAS TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10041599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACK DOORS OF VEHICLE WERE STUCK AND WOULD NOT OPEN. THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A HANDLE THAT WOULD OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER TRIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DOORS OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THEY HAVE ALSO STOPPED ON MY FATHERS 1996 ASTRO. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS ON THE ASTRO FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DO NOT OPEN OR LOCK WITH THE REMOTE DEVICE. SINCE DOOR LOCKS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF PASSENGER SAFETY I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES HAS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK/PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING. DEALER STATES SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO, YOU DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10029865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. I HAD IT AT THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. I'V HERD OTHER COMPLANTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU RANDY.
NHTSA complaint #10025557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY REAR HATCH DOOR OF MY 2000 ASTRO VAN WILL NOT OPEN. ALL OF THE LOCKS ON MY VAN ARE NOT WORKING AS THEY SHOULD BUT AT LEAST I CAN USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES TO GET IN AND OUT. THE HATCH HAS NO INSIDE DOOR RELEASE SO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET MYSELF OUT OF THE BACK IF THAT WERE THE ONLY WAY OUT. ALSO, IF YOU ARE BRAKING AND HIT A BUMP THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP THE VAN BECAUSE OF A BUMPY INTERSECTION AND THE BRAKES NOT HOLDING.
NHTSA complaint #10025283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONTINUED FROM MY ORIGINAL COMPLAIT ABOVE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR "SLIDING DOOR FAILURE TO LOCK IN THE OPEN POSITION". DOOR CAN BE CLOSED WITH FINGER PRESSURE AGAINST THE DOOR. ON A SLIGHT DECLINE, DOOR WILL UNLATCH FROM ITS LOCKED OPEN POSITION AND SLAM SHUT. I HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE HOLD IT OPEN DURING ENTRY AND EXITING ON A DRIVEWAY WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE DESIGN HAS CHANGED AND IT DOES NOT LOCK LIKE THE OLDER ASTRO'S. SOMEONE NOT AWARE OF THIS WILL HAVE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AND IT COULD SLAM SHUT ON SOMEONE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFTEY ISSUE. SOMEONE MUST LOOK INTO THIS AND GET GM TO CREATE A SB TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ANGLE OR PRESSURE REQUIRED FOR THE DOOR TO STAY LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION?
NHTSA complaint #10005361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.