278 of the
3,757 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Astro
are about the transmission —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
278
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
7
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
WAS DRIVING AND A TRUCK PULLED OUT OF DRIVE WAY IN FRONT OF ME. HIT THE BRAKES AND THEY WORKED FOR A SPLIT SECOND BUT THEN WENT OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THAT THEY BRAKE TIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES NOW. I DO HAVE BRAKES JUST NOT ANTI-LOCK. HAVE CHECKED THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO FIX AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE SO CAN NOT REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. I LIVE IN A STATE THAT HAS SAFETY AND EMISSIONS TESTS THAT IT WILL NOT PASS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE TO TRY TO GET FIXED AND PARTS FOR HOURS TO NO REVEAL. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE DANGER OF FAILURE AND NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. ALSO MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT REPORT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE BRAKES STILL WORK JUST NOT THE ANTI-LOCK PART OF IUT AFTER ALL MY BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT SPONGY OR LOW IN ANYWAY ACTUALLY THEY ARE GOOD. I CANNOT EVEN FIND A GOOD ONE IN THE JUNK YARDS AS I HAVE BOUGHT 2 UNITS AND BOTH WERE BAD SO HAD TO RETURN THEM. WHAT A WASTE OF 8 HOURS TOTAL TO FIND THAT THEY HAD SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE 192354 MILES ON IT NOW AND STILL RUNS STRONG. I FEEL THAT EACH TIME I DRIVE IT I AM TAKING A RISK OF HURTING OTHER PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE SO IT IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WHEN DRIVING. GM NEEDS TO FIX THESE VEHICLES BEFORE ANY ONE DIES AND THEY GET SUED (IF THIS HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED). LIKE I SAID IT HAS BEEN A GREAT RELIABLE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM. SO EVERYONE THAT DOES HAVE THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO REPORT IT SO GM IS FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10469227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT FELL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION PIN WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO FIND OUT IF THE DIFFERENTIAL COULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PREVIOUSLY, TRANSMISSION PAN HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS LEAKING DUE TO RUST. THE CONSUMER STATED NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED NOT WORTH FIXING AFTER ASSESSING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DO THE ADVANCE RUST CONDITION. UPDATED 03.02.11
NHTSA complaint #10359445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN A RUN-AWAY MODE. VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY STOPPED THROUGH COMBINATION OF BRAKES AND TRAVELING INTO MUD. UPON STOPPING IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE FLAMING - MOST LIKELY DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10320625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 4:30 P.M. . TRANSMISSION FAILURE, 200 MILES FROM HOME IN CALIFORNIA. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HEARD ROARING SOUND FROM ENGINE, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SPEED DROPPED. EXITED FREEWAY LOOKING FOR MECHANICAL HELP, NONE AVAILABLE. OVERNIGHT IN CAMPGROUND. NEXT DAY TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, SEPT. 21, '07.
NHTSA complaint #10242274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON 3 LANE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED(SUN GEAR SHELL IN 4L60E TRANSMISSION). EARLY AM WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC SO WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SHOULDER SAFELY. TOWED TO EXIT. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION VERY LUCKY THAT TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AS ALL DRIVE POWER WAS LOST.
NHTSA complaint #10226391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY AC FAILED TO BLOW COLD AFTER I NOTED SOME OIL (NOT MOTOR OIL) UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP RECHARGED THE SYSTEM WHICH WAS APPARENTLY EMPTY INCLUDING DYE FOR WHICH I BORE THE COST ($200+). LESS THAN 12 HRS LATER THE SYSTEM NO LONGER BLEW COLD AND NO FLUID WAS NOTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION OF THE DYE. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THEN INTERIOR ENGINE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE AC LINE HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE (NOW METAL ON METAL). A HOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME TO NICKEL WAS IN THE FILLER TUBE AND THE AC LINE ALSO HAD A HOLE IN IT. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER 2K CHEVY ASTRO THAT WAS DIAG'D SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME HOLE IN THE AC LINE BUT IT HAD NOT WORN A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. THE MECHANIC HAD INDICATED THAT THE AC LINE WAS "RUN THAT WAY FROM THE FACTORY". AT THIS POINT FOREIGN MATTER HAS FALLEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION INCLUDING THE METAL FROM THE FILLER TUBE, THE BLACK FOAM COVER ON THE AC LINE AND APPARENTLY THE FREON FROM THE DYE RECHARGE. I HAVE TO PRESUME OTHER FOREIGN MATTER HAS MADE ITS WAY IN TO FILLER TUBE AS WELL. I AM NOW ATTEMPTING THE HAVE GM COVER THE $1K REPAIR TO THE AC LINE AND TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE.
NHTSA complaint #10221301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE PART THAT FAILED WAS THE SUNSHELL. HE HEARD THAT IF THIS PART FAILS, THE REVERSE AND SOME FORWARD GEARS WILL BE LOST.
NHTSA complaint #10219525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
4L60E TRANSMISSION SUN GEAR ON 2002 CHEVY ASTRO FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, SHRED EVERYTHING IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAYS GM KNEW PART WAS FAULTY BUT DID NOT ISSUE ANY RECALLS. THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO FAILING. FLUID WAS FLUSHED AND CHANGED LESS THAT A YEAR BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #10218482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SHUDDER AND/OR ABS ACTIVATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNS, MAINLY TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE IS AN 03 ASTRO VAN AWD WITH 67K MILES. VEHICLE PULLS PRETTY SHARPLY LEFT WHEN THIS OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10189686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM EXISTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND STILL EXISTS. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THE BEGINNING, IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING TOO SOON AND THEN WOULD SHIFT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR STOP IN TRAFFIC ON AN INCLINE, THE PROBLEM IS REALLY PRONOUNCED. WHEN TRAFFIC BEGINS TO MOVE SLOWLY AFTER BEING STOPPED AT OR ON AN INCLINE AND I ACCELERATE AS TRAFFIC BEGINS TO MOVE, IT WILL JERK, THEN SHIFT, JERK, THEN SHIFT ETC., UNTIL I REACH A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. ONCE I AM ABOVE THAT SPEED IS REACHED, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. IF I FALL BELOW THAT SPEED AND ACCELERATE, THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT I HAD IN FOR SERVICE. THE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THIS TIME I REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE MAN RIDE WITH ME AND I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS A "MISS" IN THE ENGINE, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS AS I SAID ABOVE. WE DON'T FEEL IT IN THE ENGINE. WE FEEL IT IN THE WHEELS AND UNDERNEATH VAN ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE TRUCK IS UNABLE TO PULL ITS OWN WEIGHT THAT IT'S TRYING SO HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THEN JERKS AND IMMEDIATELY SHIFTS. ON FLAT SURFACES WITH STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT NOT AS MUCH AND NOT AS PRONOUNCED. WE SUGGESTED THAT THEY CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND THE POWER TRAIN, BUT WE AREN'T TECHNICIANS AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SERVICE MAN FEELS IT IS "MISSING." WE'RE JUST THE OWNERS THAT DRIVE AND HAVE COME TO KNOW ITS QUIRKS THAT SHOULDN'T EXISTS. THE RANGE OF MOTION WHEN TURNING AROUND OR MAKING A TURN HAS DECREASED. I OFTEN HAVE TO BACK UP THEN GO FORWARD TO COMPLETE A TURN. THIS WAS REAL EASY TO PICK UP BECAUSE WE TRADED IN OUR 1998 ASTRO FOR A 2003 ASTRO. I DEFINITELY DO NOT LIKED THE QUALITY, CHANGES, AND PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10163506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN. WE HAD A FACTORY RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS SUPPLIED BY GUARANTY CHEVROLET ON 8-30-02, INSTALLED. THE VAN HAD 67,532 MILES. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. WE ALSO PAID TO HAVE A SEPARATE NEW COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO HAD THE DRIVESHAFT REBUILT AND BALANCED. NOW, OUR 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 44,547 MORE MILES SINCE INSTALLED IN 2002. WE HAVE SPENT $5,700.00. OUR TRANSMISSION PLACE WROTE GM. MARK DOWLER OF CHEVY CALLED ME AND SAID SORRY, WE WON'T HELP YOU. WE ARE GOING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF NEED BE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10140249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO, VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, AROUND AT LEAST 12 TIMES, THIS HAPPENED ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS ENDANGERING THE CONSUMER AND HER FAMILY, THE CONSUMER HAS HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AROUND 5 OR 6 OF THESE TIMES, THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER AT LEAST 2-3 HOURS AFTER STALLING, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES, CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE, CHEVROLET HAS YET TO GET BACK TO THE CONSUMER, THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WERE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION , POWER CONTROL MODULE, POSSIBLE TRANSFERENCE PROBLEM, OR POSSIBLE OTHER PROBLEM, DEALER ALSO SAID THERE WAS A LOUD REAR CHATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10126373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER BALL JOINT RECALL, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, BRAKING AND SUSPENSION. FRONT LEFT SIDE CONTINUALLY POPS AND GRINDS, SHOCK BOOT WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE THIRD TIME MAY HAVE FIXED IT, JUST GOT THE VAN BACK TODAY. BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENT. HEARD LOUD BANG FROM REAR END, DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED BACKING PLATE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, SHUDDER IS FELT FROM REAR END AT 30+ MPH. DEALERSHIP PUT BALANCES ON TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE DRIVE SHAFT, HAD TO CUT THE REAR SPRINGS TO DO THIS. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT GONE, BUT LIVABLE. VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE, ALMOST STALLING, SERVICE MANAGER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS WELL. SAID FUEL INJECTOR PORT WAS FILL WITH CARBON, BUT CLEANING IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP, STAYED ON FOR THE 6 HOUR DRIVE HOME, THERE WAS NO HEAT AT ALL, SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE COULD NOT GET THE COMPUTER TO REPRODUCE THE CODE, BUT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND TWO CLAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10118710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER BALL JOINT RECALL, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, BRAKING AND SUSPENSION. FRONT LEFT SIDE CONTINUALLY POPS AND GRINDS, SHOCK BOOT WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE THIRD TIME MAY HAVE FIXED IT, JUST GOT THE VAN BACK TODAY. BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENT. HEARD LOUD BANG FROM REAR END, DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED BACKING PLATE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, SHUDDER IS FELT FROM REAR END AT 30+ MPH. DEALERSHIP PUT BALANCES ON TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE DRIVE SHAFT, HAD TO CUT THE REAR SPRINGS TO DO THIS. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT GONE, BUT LIVABLE. VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE, ALMOST STALLING, SERVICE MANAGER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS WELL. SAID FUEL INJECTOR PORT WAS FILL WITH CARBON, BUT CLEANING IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP, STAYED ON FOR THE 6 HOUR DRIVE HOME, THERE WAS NO HEAT AT ALL, SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE COULD NOT GET THE COMPUTER TO REPRODUCE THE CODE, BUT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND TWO CLAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10118710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CONSUMER'S 1987 AND 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS HAD FAULTY ENGINE'S.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME LOOSE, THE REAR DOOR HATCH BROKE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPING AND VALVE BODY WEAR (90000 MILES).
NHTSA complaint #10117266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HR. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VAN, IT LOOKED LIKE THE VAN WAS ON FIRE, I LOST ALL POWER TO THE VAN, AND HAD NO PICK-UP OR SPEED. I HAD TO DIVERT THE VAN TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CABLE HAD COME UNATTACHED, AND I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS WHATSOEVER. TRANSMISSION FLUID SPRAYED ALL THE WAY TO MY BACK WINDSHIELD OF THE VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10112236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVELINE VIBRATION - 40 - 60 MPH CAN BE FELT IN SEAT AND FLOOR - DEALER HAS REPLACED TAIL SHAFT BUSHINGS ON FIRST VISIT (2 DAYS) RETURNED VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEM - DEALER INSTALLED DAMPENERS ON REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND REAR LEAF SPRINGS. (5 DAYS) PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. DEALER HAS ORDERED A DAMPENER FOR EXHAUST PIPE,HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED YET WILL CALL WHEN PART ARRIVES. DEALER PERSONEL HAVE BEEN VERY POLITE AND COURTEOUS .I FEEL THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER THE SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN FIND THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION?
NHTSA complaint #10100227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.