RoadVitals

1988 Chevrolet Astro Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest May 31, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 56 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1988 Chevrolet Astro submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed May 31, 2005

FISSURE IN THE RADIATOR

NHTSA ID
10122555
Incident
Sep 8, 2000
Mileage
450,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, BUT WILL BE EASY TO START IT BACK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8016867
Incident
Jul 29, 2002
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 9, 2002
Fire reported

OVERHEATING OF DOME/INSTRUMENT LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH AND PLUG IN FRONT OF IT CAUGHT FIRE. BURNED PARTS REPLACED. HAPPENED TWICE MORE (WITHOUT FIRE). OVERHEATING IN THIS AREA PERSISTS WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. ONE HEADLIGHT GETS EXTREMELY HOT. BURNED OUT FRONT FAN MOTOR AND A MONTH LATER FUEL PUMP BURNED OUT.

NHTSA ID
762846
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 16, 2000

THE ONE PIECE ACESSORY MOUNTING BRACKET CRACKS AND FAILS WHICH CAUSES THE POWER STEERING PUMB TO BEND FORWARD AND THE SINGLE SERPENTINE BELT TO BE THROWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND YOU COULD TELL THAT ONE THE BRACKET CRACKED, IT PUT A STRAIN ON THE LOER 2 MOUNTING BOLTS AND SNAPPED THE HEADS OFF THE BOLTS. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED ANOTHER CHEVY WITH THE 305 ENGINE AND THAT BRACKET ALSO FAILED. I HAVE ALSO SEN MANY OF THESE BRACKETS ON USED ENGINS AT SALVAGE YARDS WITH CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE. WHEN THE BRACKET BRAKES, YOU LOSE ALL POWER ASSIST WHICH COULD PUT THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS AT RISK. I AM AN ENGINEER BY EDUCATION AND HAVE ALSO OWNED AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE PART NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL GUSSET WELDED SO THAT IT CANNOT FLEX AND ULTIMATELY FAIL.

NHTSA ID
720171
Engine
Filed May 25, 1999
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA ID
545762
Incident
Apr 24, 1999
Engine
Filed May 19, 1998
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE.(OHIO POLICE REPORT).

NHTSA ID
535705
Incident
Apr 16, 1998
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 1997

SERPENTINE BELT CONTINUALLY COMES OFF PARTICULARLY WHEN RAINING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY.

NHTSA ID
515506
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 1997

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF APPROXIMATELY EVERY 6 WEEKS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OVERHEATING.

NHTSA ID
520694
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 1997

THE PLATE THAT ATTACHES TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRACKED, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BECOME LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
515006
Incident
Jan 16, 1997
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 1997

THE SMALL OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE COMING INTO VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
808191
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 1995

THE BOLTS TAHT HELD THE METAL BRACKETS THAT SUPPRTED THE ROLLERS GUIDING THE SERPENTINE FAN BELT SHEARED. *AK

NHTSA ID
968661
Incident
Jul 7, 1995
Engine
Filed May 12, 1995

HORSESHOE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS ALL FRONT COMPONENTS OF ENGINE, ONCE BROKEN BRAKES, STEERING AND OTHER COMPONENTS FAILS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
965237
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 1995

DRIVING AND PISTON ROD PUNCTURED OIL PAN AND MOTOR SLIPPED. TT

NHTSA ID
963293
Incident
Apr 4, 1995
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 30, 1995

SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AND STEERING WAS LOST. TT

NHTSA ID
962827
Incident
Mar 30, 1995

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Steering14

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .