243 of the 3,757 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Astro are about the electrical system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
243
Complaints
6%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
37
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.
NHTSA complaint #11040456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHAT IS THE REAL IS HARD TO TURN IN MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT
NHTSA complaint #11039948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN RAINING WIDSHIELD WIPERS DONT WORK AS DIRECTED, THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT. THEY STAY ON AFTER SHUTTING THEM OFF. AND DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY. WIPERS ALSO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF LINE OF SIFHT INTERMITTENTLY. NEVER WORKS CORRECTLY
NHTSA complaint #11012920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1989 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DIED AT THE SCENE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, MEMORY LOSS, BACK, LEFT ARM, AND LEFT LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MA 10/25/15
NHTSA complaint #10759138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM A LICENSED CAR DEALER. I AM VERY CONCERNED AT WHAT I AM SEEING WITH MY CUSTOMERS, WITH CARS I SEE AT THE AUCTIONS, AND WITH BLOG SITES ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING CHEVY'S EBCM COMPUTER MODULE. AT THE AUCTIONS I AM SEEING AT LEAST 25% OF CHEVROLETS AND ABOUT 10% OF FORDS COMING THROUGH WITH BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON. MY MAIN CONCERN IS WITH THE CHEVY'S EBCM. THESE VERY EXPENSIVE UNITS FAIL AT THE RELAY POINT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS DUE TO BAD SOLDER JOINTS FROM THE FACTORY. WHEN THEY FAIL, THE DRIVER GETS A BRAKE LIGHT AND AN ABS INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE BRAKES STILL WORK ON THE CAR, BUT THEY DON'T WORK AS DESIGNED. IN FACT THE DRIVER GETS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BECAUSE HIS CAR IS STOPPING, BUT IN A SLIPPERY SITUATION IT WILL NOT STOP AS DESIGNED. WHEN I WENT TO THE INTERNET FOR IDEAS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM FINDING A LOT OF POSTINGS SAYING JUST TAKE THE BULB OUT OF THE DASH! I AM ALSO SEEING ADS ON E BAY WHERE YOU CAN SEND YOUR EBCM TO A REPAIR STATION, THEY TAKE IT APART, AND RE SOLDER THE JOINTS FOR $49. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY WANT OVER $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM! I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE SELLING THEIR VEHICLE AS IS AND TELLING THE BUYER THAT IT'S OK. THE BRAKES WORK. I CAN'T GET THE LIGHT TO SHUT OFF! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT WILL BECOME MORE DANGEROUS AS MORE AND MORE CARS ARE DRIVING WITH INOPERATIVE EBCM COMPUTERS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE DEFECT COMES FROM HAVING THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE FRAMES NEAR THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ARE TAKING ALL THE SHOCK AND VIBRATION IN THAT AREA. I AM ASKING THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE FOR DEFECTIVE EBCM COMPUTERS. I ALSO FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS FAR WORSE THAN THE DODGE CLOCK SPRING RECALL, AND THAT EFFECTED ALL DODGE VEHICLES. THIS BRAKING PROBLEM WE ARE SEEING IS BAD ENOUGH THAT IT MAY CAUSE A LARGE LOSS OF LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10637686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE CAR DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING, AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COME TO FIND OUT THE FUSE BOX WAS HOT AND THERE WAS A FEW FUSES THAT WERE BLOWN. I REPLACE THE BLOWN FUSES AND DROVE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VAN, I COULDN'T GET IT START I LOOKED AT THE SAME FUSE AND THEY WERE BLOWN AGAIN. THE VAN NOW SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY TILL I FIGURE THIS OUT. BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10619259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE PARKED OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE HORN AND THE AIRBAG INTERACTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 09/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HORN WAS DEACTIVATED. UPDATED 2/12/15
NHTSA complaint #10605645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WAITED TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED ITS NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE WOULD BE RESOLVED. THE FUEL PUMP, STARTER, MOTOR MOUNTS, AND GENERATOR WERE ALL REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,249.
NHTSA complaint #10604713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND WE LOSS BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10573886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PULLED INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT ( 35MPH SLIGHT RIGHT TURN) STARTED TO TURN LEFT TO PARKING SPACE AND ENGINE CUT-OUT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. INCIDENT WAS RECORDED BY MY DASH CAM: HTTP://S247.PHOTOBUCKET.COM/USER/HCHICKPEA/MEDIA/VANPOWERCUTOUT_ZPSB0E071E6.MP4.HTML YOU CAN SEE THE FLASH OF A POLICE CAR GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT ALMOST THE EXACT TIME OF THE ENGINE STOPPING. NO APPARENT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS, NO ENGINE CHUGGING OR SOUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHT KEYCHAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10569448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT STATING THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ON ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
NHTSA complaint #10566809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO EVERY SYSTEM THAT IS CONTROLLED BY THE IGNITION BEING TURNED ON. DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A U-TURN AROUND A CURBING ISLAND IN THE DIVIDED TRAFFIC ROAD WHEN ALL ELECTRICAL WAS INTERRUPTED WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. CONDITION CAUSED STEERING TO BECOME DIFFICULT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR, AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS ALL WENT OFF. CONDITION WAS REPEATABLE WITH EXCEPTION OF BRAKE PEDAL, EACH TIME STEERING WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. INSPECTION UNDER VEHICLE FOUND THAT MAIN POWER CABLE IS ROUTED ACROSS FRONT SIDE OF MAIN FRAME MOTOR MOUNT MEMBER. THERE WAS A SLIGHT CURVE IN THE WAY THE WIRE WAS ROUTED AND EACH TIME THE STEERING WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE INNER TIE ROD END FOR THE RIGHT WHEEL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WIRE HARNESS. AFTER MANY MILES, THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND THEN THE ACTUAL WIRE INSULATION WAS RUBBED THROUGH. THIS CAUSED A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND THROUGH THE STEERING PARTS OF ALL (SWITCHED WHILE RUNNING) ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY TAPING THE WIRE INSULATION, THEN TAPING THE PROTECTIVE COVERING. I THEN HAD TO FABRICATE A BRACKET TO SCREW TO THE STEEL CRUMPLE MEMBER TO HOLD THE HARNESS BACK FROM THE STEERING LINKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10546973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #10526083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST AND THAT SHORTED OUT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE STARTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,500.
NHTSA complaint #10500609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECENTLY I TOOK MY VAN TO A DEALER BECAUSE THE KNOB ON THE A/C FAN MELTED OFF IT COST 600 DLRS IN REPAIRS THE HVAC KNOB HAD MELTED OFF ALSO THE CONNECTOR AND RESISTOR HAD BURNED OUT . THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED TOGETHER. NO FUSE BLEW TO PREVENT HIS FORM HAPPENING WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE DASH WHILE I WAS DRIVING RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL I MISSED OR IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME CONCERN CHEVY OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10470766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER APPROX. ONE WEEK OF OPER. OF MY 2001 CHEVY ASTRO A FIRE OCCURRED THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTENTS IF I HAD NOT BEEN CLOSE BY. AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 20 MILES AND PARKING IT MY VAN CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLES POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES WERE RUN FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE STEERING LINKAGE WHERE IT PASSES THE ENGINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP TO THE POINT WHERE THE TIRE IS STILL TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED HALF WAY TO THE LEFT THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE ROD END IS RUBBING INTO THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES WHICH ARE IN A COMMON HARNESS.IF THE SUSPENSION IS MOVING UP AND DOWN ON A BUMPY ROAD WHILE THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE BATTERY CABLES WILL CAUSE REPEATED DAMAGE OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN EVENTUAL FIRE.IF THIS FIRE OCCURRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE MY VAN WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE THE 7 PEOPLE INCLUDING TWO SMALL CHILDREN LIVING HERE COULD HAVE DIED FROM FIRE CAUSED BY VERY POOR ENGINEERING. IF YOU CAN JACK UP A VEHICLE AND CAUSE A MOVABLE PART OF THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION OR STEERING TO COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE THE VEHICLES ENGINEERS WERE NEGLIGENT. ALSO HAVING BOTH BATTERY CABLES IN THE SAME HARNESS IS NOT A VERY GOOD IDEA EITHER MY VEHICLE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY MAJOR REPAIR WORK DONE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A REPORTED DEATH FROM THIS ISSUE YET IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. MY FIRST VEHICLE WAS A GM AND I SUSPECT MY LAST WILL BE, BUT GM HAS TO ANSWER FOR THIS ACT OF STUPIDITY. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN EMAIL THAT SHOW JUST HOW OBVIOUS THIS FLAW IS.
NHTSA complaint #10460092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK SHE NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE AND FIRE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS ALSO A MINOR EXPLOSION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE STARTED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR TOWED FROM THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 8/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10458535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS COMING ON AT VERY LOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT (UNDER 5MPH/8KMH). IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME, BUT QUITE OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, LIKE COMING TO A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR PARKING. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ABS COME ON AT SUCH LOW SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY NOT ON DRY PAVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10432683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.