305 of the
3,757 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Astro
are about the suspension —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V328000 (SUSPENSION) WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY STEERING KNUCKLE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MYRTLE BEACH CHEVROLET (1785 US-501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER MADE AND THERE WERE NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 392,000.
NHTSA complaint #11414648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TAKATA RECALL UPON LEAVING MY CONDOMINIUM PARKING LOT, THERE IS A SLIGHT CURB YOU MUST DRIVE OVER BEFORE EXITING. THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME LOOSE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A LOCAL CITY STREET. RESULTING IN THE VEHICAL TO COLLAPSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. THE FRAME IS RESTED ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, ALSO DAMAGING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AS A RESULT. CONSIDERING THE FACTS, THE CAR WAS THEN COMPLETELY IMMOBILE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW COSTING $100 IN ORDER TO MOVE IT ABOUT 150 FT. BACK TO MY DESIGNATED PARKING SPACE. RECALL # 95V175000. THIS HAPPENED ON 07/05/2017.
NHTSA complaint #11003667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS DRIVING OVER SOME RAILROAD TRACKS BOTH OF MY FRONT TORSION BARS FAILED AND BROKE. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS SAME FAILURE HAS HAPPEND TO THOUSANDS OF OWNERS AND NO RECALL WAS DONE. GM EVEN REDESIGNED THE TORSION BARS BECAUSE OF THE KNOWN DESIGN FLAWS AND IT WILL COST WELL OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10393859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 CHEVY ASTRO LF TORSION BAR BROKE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AFTER MY WIFE WENT ON AN 800 MILE TRIP. DEALER REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED SHORTER BAR. FRONT NOW A LOT LOWER THAN ORIGINAL. DEALER DID NOT REQUIRE OR INSIST THE OTHER ONE BE FIXED AT THIS TIME. THEY ADJUSTED THE CAMBER OF THE WHEEL TO OFFSET THE LOWER LF OF THE CAR. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS BOARD IT WAS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY GM. THEY KNEW--OR AT LEAST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT--OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE REDESIGNED THE PART. THEY SHOULD PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
NHTSA complaint #10329317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TORSION BAR ON THIS 1994 CHEVY ASTRO AWD VAN. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. I HAVE DONE A SEARCH AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF THE TORSION BARS FAILING WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN BOTTOMING OF THE SUSPENSION. FORTUNATELY, IT FAILED WHEN I WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES IT HAS FAILED BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10233701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO. BEFORE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SIX YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NEEDED TO HAVE THE TORSION BAR REPLACED AT 80,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #10230737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/15/08.
NHTSA complaint #10223109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/15/08.
NHTSA complaint #10223109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY AND SHE ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT FAILURE EVER SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKES AT THE COST OF $125, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK, SHE HAS TO SLAM HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THIS SOLUTION IS NOT ALWAYS GUARANTEED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED GROSSMAN CHEVROLET REPAIRED THE CHEVY VAN AGAIN ON NOV. 30, 2007 AT THE COST OF $979. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED IN 2005 SHE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE AT 5MPH BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REPAIRED FRONT COVER GASKET, REPLACED FRONT PINION, AND REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. UPDATED 12/31/07
NHTSA complaint #10210170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TORSION BAR FAILED, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE WHEEL SCRAPES AGAINST THE FENDER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY UPGRADED THE PART BECAUSE THE BAR WAS TOO LONG. THE TORSION BAR FOR HIS VEHICLE HAS A NEW SIZE, THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES. HE IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 175,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10193568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN HAD UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS . THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS COULD SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLEWAS NOW AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS AT 130,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN THE BALL JOINT WAS SAVED, AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. THE CONTACT DOES HAS ACCESS TO THE LAST BALL JOINTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO CRASHES INVOLVING THE BALL JOINTS, BUT FELT THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10179481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS NOT A GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THE LOWER ARM WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO MATERIAL FATIGUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INDICATED THE VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN TO ANY GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP TO PRODUCE A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE GM DEALERSHIP YET. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL # 95V175000 AND A RECALL LETTER NEVER RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10173399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE OWN A 1994 CHEVY ASTRO VAN. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN ONE OF THE TORSION BARS BROKE, DROPPING THE VAN DOWN ONTO THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE VAN WITH OUR FAMILY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. TWO DAYS LATER, THE OTHER TORSION BAR BROKE, AGAIN IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IN LOOKING AT THE WAY THE TORSION BAR IS MOUNTED TO THE CROSS MEMBER, IT APPEARS THAT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT CREATED A PROBLEM WHERE SNOW, SALT, RAIN AND DIRT ACCUMULATED INTO THE CYLINDER SHAPED TUBE THAT THE BAR IS MOUNTED INTO, TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TORSION BAR, MADE OF SPRING STEEL, RUSTED AND BROKE IN TWO. THE TORSION BAR IS PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT KEEPS THE FRONT OF THE VAN UP OFF OF THE FRONT TIRES. AFTER READING SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS SAME DEFECT HAS CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND NEAR ACCIDENTS TO OTHER ASTRO VAN OWNERS. WHETHER REPORTED OR NOT REPORTED, THE DESIGN OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE TORSION BAR WAS MOST LIKELY USED THIS WAY SO THE MANUFACTURED COULD USE ONE SIZE OF TORSION BAR FOR SEVERAL VEHICLES AND THEN MODIFY THE MOUNT ON EACH VEHICLE TO ACCEPT THE SAME SIZE BAR. WE HAVE PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TORSION BARS (GM PARTS) FOR $462.00 AND NEED TO ALSO PAY TO HAVE THEM INSTALLED. THE REPLACEMENT TORSION BARS ARE NOW 3 INCHES SHORTER, PROVING THAT THE MANUFACTURE BECAME AWARE THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECTED IT WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS - NOW WITHOUT THE EXTRA 3 INCHES OF OPEN CYLINDER TO COLLECT SALT AND SNOW. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THAT THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY ON ALL VANS WITH THIS SIZE OF TORSION BAR. WE REGULARLY DRIVE THE INTERSTATE AND HAD IT BROKE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SLAMMING ON YOUR BREAKS (AS THE FRONT OF THE VAN DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRE) AND SUDDENLY LOSING ANY STEERING ABILITY OR WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, WE DIDN'T HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING IT WHEN IT BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10164660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD JUST PARKED MY CHEVROLET ASTRO AWD IN THE GARAGE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE DRIVERS SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE FRONT END WAS SITTING ON THE SUSPENSION STOPS. I AM LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN 10 MINUTES EARLIER WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE GARAGE AWAITING REPAIR. THE UPDATED PARTS ARE GOING TO RUN ME $600 PLUS INSTALLATION. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE BROKEN TORSION BAR. I VEHICLE RESIDED IN UTAH AND DID NOT SEE WISCONSIN SALT UNTIL COUPLE YEARS AGO. THE BAR APPEARS TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED/PITTED AT THE BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #10137501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE TORSION BARS ARE BREAKING AND IT DROPS THE SUSPENSION. DO NOT HAVE ANY STEERING. CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TORSION BAR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH CAUSE. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE SALT ON ROADWAY CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 15, 2002. DID HAVE BOTH BARS REPAIRED AND SOLD THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10136168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMMENTS: WHY DID EVERYONE MISS THE 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH AWD? I ALREADY HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (AT MY COST) EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT LOCAL FIRESTONE GARAGE PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE, AND HAS THE RECORDS OF THE SERVICE. NEAR-MISS TOO MANY TIMES AT LOW SPEED STOPPING PROBLEMS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE CHEVY & GMC MINI-VANS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10134869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE TORSION BAR BROKE AND DROVE ITSELF INTO THE AXLE SHAFT WHICH ALSO HAD TO REPLACED.. THE DEALER FIXED THE PART, AND SAID IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE REPAIR INCLUDED ALL FOUR OF THE TORSION BARS AND THE BRACKETS THEY FIT INTO. *AK THE FRONT LEFT SIDE AXLE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. (THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VAN DROPPED TO THE GROUND)
NHTSA complaint #10125471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.