RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Astro

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
360
Latest Jun 30, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest May 24, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
30
24 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 360 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and fuel system categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 47 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

NHTSA ID
10607100
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Mileage
184,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 24, 2014

ON 4 NOVEMBER 2013, I PURCHASED 4 GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A TIRES FROM THE SEARS AUTO STORE AT 3000 TOWN EAST MALL IN MESQUITE, TX. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER AND LESS THAN 300 MILES ON THE TIRES, THE LEFT REAR TIRES COMPLETELY CAME A PART WHILE DRIVING ON LBJ FREEWAY WESTBOUND IN DALLAS, TX. MY APPROXIMATELY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. HAS THERE BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS TIRE BRAND AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER? *TR

NHTSA ID
10593871
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
203,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 24, 2014

I BOUGHT 4 GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A TIRES FROM THE SEARS AUTO STORE AT 3000 TOWN EAST MALL ON 4 NOVEMBER 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:50AM. THE TIRE DESCRIPTION: P2 235\70R15. THREE WEEKS LATER ON ABOUT 13 DECEMBER 2013 THE LEFT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY CAME A PART WHILE DRIVING ON LBJ FREEWAY WESTBOUND AT HIGHWAY 75. MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 60-64 MPH. JUST THREE WEEKS ON THE ROAD AND LESS THAN 300 MILES ON THE TIRES. HAS THERE BEEN ANY INCIDENTS WITH THIS TIRE? HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS TIRE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10593870
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
203,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 28, 2013

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549828
Incident
Oct 26, 2013
Mileage
137,560 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 2012

JUST BEFORE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION THE BRAKE PEDAL LIFTED SLIGHTLY. THERE WAS A MOANING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE VAN DRIFTED INTO THE CROSSWALK ( LOST BRAKING ). I THREW IT INTO REVERSE TO STOP. AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, HYDRO BOOSTER, POWER STEERING PUMP AND GEAR AND HOSES, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON AN ON-LINE FORUM WHO SUGGESTED DISABLING THE ABS BY PULLING THE FUSE. PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY WENT AWAY WHEN ANTI -LOCK BRAKE WAS DISABLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469913
Incident
Jul 11, 2012
Mileage
229,760 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2011

I OWN A 1997 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH 151K MILES. SUNDAY, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. WHEN IT DID SO, THE BRAKES TURNED MUSHY WITH LITTLE BRAKING POWER. WE WERE LUCKY AS WE HAD JUST COME DOWN A STEEP DRIVEWAY. IF THEY HAD FAILED THEN OUR CHOICES WOULD HAVE BEEN TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF A CAR IF WE COULD HAVE TURNED, RUN INTO A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND THEN CONTINUED DOWN A STEEP HILL INTO BRUSH AND FOREST WITH LIKELY CASUALTIES. LUCKILY, WE HAD JUST STARTED UP TO LEAVE AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM. WE SHUT DOWN AND THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A PART. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD US THAT TO THIS DAY, MANY CHEVY VANS AND TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP ACTS AS A BOOSTER PUMP FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THAT LACK OF INDEPENDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SYSTEMS IS AN ENGINEERING ERROR AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10410205
Incident
Jun 26, 2011
Mileage
151,300 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 11, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE CHANGING ONE OF THE TIRES THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PERFORMING HIS OWNS REPAIR TO REPLACE THE CABLE, IT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10376220
Incident
May 11, 2010
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO MINIVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER ID: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE AS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 346,000.

NHTSA ID
10373959
Incident
Dec 27, 2010
Mileage
346,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Astro by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005920
2004142048.0
2003623050.3
2002703157.1
2001913156.9
20001752052.9
19991334054.3
19982416054.3
1997Viewing3607156.5
19962637155.0
19954467363.5
19943286160.9
19931355053.3
19921325162.6
1991956566.1
1990687667.9
1989576160.9
1988565763.5
1987295763.2
1986234665.4
1985565
1984111
1983010
1976001

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.